Ref: HP094-1924

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Academic Planning Consultant

Since 1976, Parsons has served the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu as their program management, master planning, design, engineering and construction management consultant for the Yanbu Industrial City on the Red Sea north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This is the longest running contract in Parsons' history and reflects the strong client/consultant partnership that has evolved through the years. Our responsibilities are similar to that of a Public Works Department of a US municipality. We assist in long-range strategic and master planning, project initiation, the hiring and management of design consultants, tendering for construction and oversight of all construction projects. These projects range through the full spectrum of infrastructure and facilities that would be expected in a city of 80,000+ population - roads and utilities, residences, schools, health care facilities, police and fire stations, colleges, public buildings, sport facilities and retail centers.

With over 300 current employees in Yanbu, we are always looking for dynamic new key staff members that are up for the challenge of a foreign assignment in a remote location. The initial contract term for new members of the team is 24 months with one year extensions dependent upon performance and on-going needs.

The incumbent is expected to provide strategic direction and implementation planning in academic affairs to RCYCI institutional academic leadership. He will manage all academic planning, direction and academic activities under the remit of the directorate with the objective of achieving the targets set by the Royal Commission and the Colleges & Institutes Division to further academic excellence and in response to the needs and goals of all stakeholders.

The establishment of the Planning and Development Directorate came about in 2012, developing as a unit to serve the division’s higher educational colleges and institutes (RCYCI). The directorate is now an integral part of the RCYCI with a significant degree of autonomy, providing educational planning and development services within the higher educational structure of the division. The Directorate’s operations entail the provision of planning and development initiatives together with quality assurance, educational accreditation and ISO certification, curriculum development and statistical data collection and analysis. The post of consultant, academic planning is a position requiring significant academic leadership skills and which carries considerable responsibility in establishing strong ties both within the divisional academic institutions and with the community of the industrial city of Yanbu. The incumbent will be based in Yanbu Al Sinaiyah.

Reports to the Director, Planning and Development of the Colleges & Institutes Division of the Royal Commission of Yanbu and supervises the PDD personnel. Other key contacts are the Managing Directors of Institutional Partners and HOD’s of RCYCI institutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Improvement in the quality of the academic program by developing policies and facilitating processes that will promote the quality of faculty, departments, programs, courses, and academic processes.
- Planning for curriculum-driven preparation of students that leads to a fulfilled life; intellectually, personally and professionally.
- Promotion of an integral approach in academic terms to curriculum development, instructional methods, grading practices, admission standards, registration procedures, academic policies, and graduation requirements.
- Efficient liaison with various academic and administrative departments, colleges, accreditation bodies and other authorities on academic matters.
- Establishment of academic linkages and international collaborative efforts with other academic institutions.
- Develop and deliver training intervention in relation to academic planning and the monitoring of academic quality processes.
- Contribute towards strategic planning discussions; apply strategies in technical education to meet market demands in a national and global scenario.
- Contribution to and serving as appropriate on internal committees, working and advisory groups.
- Overseeing the proposals for new academic programs and ensuring alignment with national and institutional policies.

Requirements

- PhD (preferably in Education)
- Prior teaching experience (over 15 years) with 5 year minimum experience in academic planning and quality assurance in post-secondary education.
- Demonstrable record of administrative excellence/academic management at a tertiary institution, with sound knowledge of higher education policy as applied to teaching and learning.
- Fluent in English and Arabic a plus.
- Experience in a position of the same caliber in a multi campus environment. (a plus)
- Proven record in leading the development and implementation of academic procedures, plans and projects to meet divisional strategic/academic direction.
- High level of conceptual and analytical skills to deal with operational and long-term strategic planning in consultation with others; application of a shared vision of institutional objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to work productively and cooperatively to provide a team environment.
- Working knowledge of major functional areas: academic program planning, development, assessment, teaching and learning resources, accreditation practices and collaborative environments.
- Project management and organizational skills including working on multiple projects.
- Working knowledge of database management and data analysis to promote change.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills in dealing with strategic partners, faculty and community members including tact and diplomacy.
- Proficiency in using advanced office software applications.

About the Company

Parsons is a leader in many diverse markets such as infrastructure, transportation, water, telecommunications, aviation, commercial, environmental, planning, industrial manufacturing, education, healthcare, life sciences and homeland security.

Parsons provides technical and management solutions to federal, regional and local government agencies as well as private industries worldwide.

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Administration Officer salaries in UAE

Average monthly compensation
AED 6,000

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