Academic Programme Architecture and Institutional Quality Specialist

Purpose and Scope of the Role<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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The Programme Architecture and Quality Specialist is a senior academic governance role responsible for ensuring the integrity, design, compliance, and quality of all academic programmes offered by the institution.
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The role integrates programme development, curriculum architecture, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all qualifications, short learning programmes, and academic offerings are designed, reviewed, and maintained in full alignment with applicable regulatory and institutional standards.
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This role ensures that Lyceum College\u2019s academic offerings are not only compliant but academically sound, industry relevant, digitally responsive, and pedagogically robust.
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Primary Duties and Responsibilities<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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1. Programme Development and Curriculum Architecture<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tLead and support the development of new qualifications and short learning programmes in alignment with HEQSF, NQF, and institutional standards.
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\u2022\tWork directly with Heads of Faculty and academic teams in designing programme structures, module alignment, credit allocations, and curriculum flow.
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\u2022\tEnsure that programme design incorporates applied learning, digital pedagogies, decolonisation principles, and industry relevance.
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\u2022\tGuide faculties in curriculum reform and enhancement initiatives.
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2. Oversight of Programme Reviews and Academic Quality<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tOversee and coordinate cyclical programme reviews across all faculties as delegated by the Chief Academic Officer.
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\u2022\tWork alongside Heads of Faculty to evaluate programme relevance, compliance, and student performance outcomes.
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\u2022\tUse student data, external examiner feedback, and academic performance indicators to inform programme improvements.
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\u2022\tEnsure that all academic programme documentation is current, compliant, and aligned to institutional templates and regulatory standards.
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\u2022\tEnsure programmes remain relevant, compliant, and aligned with higher education best practice.
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3. Institutional Audit, Accreditation and Regulatory Readiness<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tPlay a central role in preparing, collating, and validating academic programme evidence for institutional audits, accreditation reviews, and regulatory evaluations.
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\u2022\tSupport the preparation of documentation and evidence required for CHE, DHET, and SAQA engagements and submissions.
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\u2022\tEnsure that programme documentation, fact sheets, and academic records consistently meet audit, compliance, and regulatory standards.
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\u2022\tContribute directly and substantively to the academic components of the institutional Self Evaluation Report.
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4. Quality Assurance and Academic Standards Support<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tImplement and support quality assurance processes relating to academic programme offerings.
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\u2022\tWork closely with the Quality Assurance function to track quality improvement plans across faculties.
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\u2022\tSafeguard consistency, accuracy and compliance of academic standards and materials across all programmes and faculties.
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\u2022\tEnsure that all academic programme documentation, including fact sheets/programme outlines, faculty handbooks, and programme records, adheres to institutional templates and regulatory standards.
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\u2022\tMentor and support Heads of Faculty in maintaining programme integrity and academic compliance.Prepare academic review reports and contribute to the institutional Self\-Evaluation Report (SER).
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5. Cross\-Functional Collaboration<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tCollaborate with Academic Planning, Quality Assurance, the Registrar, and Regulatory teams to ensure cohesive academic governance.
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\u2022\tEngage with industry partners and professional bodies to maintain programme relevance and alignment.
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\u2022\tAct as an internal advisor to faculties on matters relating to programme compliance and academic quality.
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6. Academic Governance and Compliance Alignment<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tEnsure that all programme development, curriculum review, and academic documentation activities are conducted in full compliance with institutional policies, governance frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
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\u2022\tParticipate in relevant academic governance and regulatory committees to provide input on matters affecting programme quality, standards, and compliance.
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\u2022\tIdentify and escalate academic programme related risks that may impact compliance, accreditation status, or institutional reputation.
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\u2022\tPromote a risk aware culture within faculties by guiding Heads of Faculty on maintaining programme integrity within policy and regulatory parameters.
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7. Supporting Innovation in Programme Design and Assessment<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tGuide faculties in strengthening curriculum relevance through applied learning, digital pedagogies, and industry alignment.
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\u2022\tSupport improvement of assessment alignment within programme structures to ensure academic soundness and compliance.<\/span><\/span>
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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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KPI Category & Performance Indicator<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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Programme Development and Accreditation (30%)<\/span><\/span><\/b>\t<\/span>
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\u2022\tMinimum of 6 new qualifications and 3 SLPs developed annually.<\/span>
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\u2022\t100% compliance with HEQSF alignment and SAQA registration protocols.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAt least 50% of new programmes demonstrate integration of innovation (e.g., AI, 4IR, ESG themes).<\/span>
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\u2022\tAll programme development cycles completed within a 6 to 8\-month timeframe<\/span>
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Curriculum Renewal and Relevance (10%)\t<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/b>\u2022\t33% of existing qualifications reviewed each year as per the curriculum review plan.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAt least 80% of review recommendations implemented within 6 months of the review.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAnnual revision of 2 or more qualifications in response to market and industry shifts.<\/span>
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\u2022\t75%+ stakeholder (student, academic, industry) satisfaction with curriculum relevance and quality.<\/span>
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Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation Processes (10%)<\/span><\/span><\/b>\t<\/span>
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\u2022\tZero critical findings in accreditation reports or regulatory site visits from CHE, DHET, or SAQA.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAll submissions delivered at least 3 weeks before due dates.<\/span>
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\u2022\tInstitutional programme compliance tracker maintained with 100% accuracy and real\-time updates.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAnnual regulatory mapping and policy update aligned to latest CHE and DHET frameworks.<\/span>
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Academic Planning and Institutional Strategy Alignment (10%)<\/span><\/span><\/b>\t<\/span>
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\u2022\tAcademic Development Plan fully aligned to the 5\-year Strategic Plan, reviewed annually.<\/span>
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\u2022\t80% or more departments adhere to institutional academic planning schedules and deliverables.<\/span>
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\u2022\tEvidenced use of scenario planning and strategic foresight in academic development proposals.<\/span>
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\u2022\tHEMIS data successfully used to support academic planning and programme growth strategies.<\/span>
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Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration (5%)<\/span><\/span><\/b>\t<\/span>
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\u2022\tAt least 4 internal academic planning workshops or consultations hosted per year.<\/span>
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\u2022\tMinimum of 2 industry roundtable engagements hosted to inform programme relevance.<\/span>
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\u2022\t80%+ collaboration rating from Registrar, QA, Finance, and Faculty in annual institutional review.<\/span>
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\u2022\tMinimum of 3 engagements annually with alumni, professional bodies, or sector partners.<\/span>
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Innovation in Teaching, Learning and Assessment (5%)\t<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tFacilitate or initiate at least 3 staff development workshops annually on curriculum innovation or digital teaching.<\/span>
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\u2022\t50% or more of new qualifications to include digital learning features (e.g., videos, simulations, online assessments).<\/span>
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\u2022\tLead or co\-lead at least 1 cross\-unit academic innovation project annually (e.g., digital badges, AI tools).<\/span>
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\u2022\t70%+ of reviewed modules include diversified assessments promoting higher\-order thinking.<\/span>
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Governance and Committee Participation (10%)<\/span><\/span><\/b>\t<\/span>
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\u2022\tAcademic Planning Committee convened 4 times per annum with at least 90% quorum compliance.<\/span>
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\u2022\tMinimum of 3 strategic academic policy or framework proposals submitted to Senate or Teaching and Learning Committee.<\/span>
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\u2022\t100% of committee documentation distributed at least 5 working days prior to meetings.<\/span>
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\u2022\t85% of post\-meeting action items implemented within 8 weeks of resolution.<\/span>
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Academic Resource Planning and Cost Efficiency (10%)<\/span><\/span><\/b>\t<\/span>
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\u2022\tAnnual academic resource plan (staffing, content development) completed and approved by Q1.<\/span>
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\u2022\t85% or higher budget accuracy for programme development costs vs. actuals.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAcademic staffing models ensure 90%+ workload alignment and coverage.<\/span>
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\u2022\t90% of content development projects delivered within 10% of planned cost and time estimates.<\/span>
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Programme Monitoring and Data\-driven Review (10%)<\/span><\/span><\/b>\t<\/span>
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\u2022\t100% of qualifications have performance dashboards with data on throughput, retention, and enrolment trends.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAt least 2 data\-informed interventions proposed per annum based on academic performance analytics.<\/span>
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\u2022\tProgramme review reports include risk mitigation and curriculum improvement strategies.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAcademic Planning inputs fully integrated into annual Self\-Evaluation Reports (SER) and CHE submissions.<\/span>
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Requirements<\/h3>
Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/b>
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Minimum Educational Requirements<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tHonours Degree in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Politics, Law or related fields.<\/span>
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Experience and Expertise<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tA minimum of 2 years\u2019 experience in higher education, with at least 1 year in a leadership or senior management role.<\/span>
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\u2022\tProven track record in academic planning, programme development, and quality assurance in a higher education setting.<\/span>
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\u2022\tExperience with South African higher education policies and accreditation processes, particularly with CHE and DHET.<\/span>
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\u2022\tStrong understanding of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub\-Framework and HEMIS reporting systems.<\/span>
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Preferred<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tExperience in accreditation submissions and regulatory engagements with CHE, DHET, or SAQA.<\/span>
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\u2022\tExperience in distance and online learning programme design.<\/span>
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Skills and Knowledge<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tDeep understanding of HEQSF, NQF, curriculum design, and programme development.<\/span>
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\u2022\tStrong knowledge of quality assurance and regulatory compliance in higher education.<\/span>
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\u2022\tExcellent academic writing, documentation, and audit preparation skills.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAbility to mentor and work closely with Heads of Faculty and academic teams.<\/span>
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\u2022\tStrong analytical and stakeholder coordination skills.<\/span>
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Behavioural Attributes<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tAcademic precision and attention to detail.<\/span>
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\u2022\tStrong governance orientation and sense of accountability.<\/span>
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\u2022\tCollaborative and supportive working style with faculties.<\/span>
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\u2022\tAbility to operate effectively in a regulatory intensive environment.<\/span>
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Key Relationships<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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\u2022\tReports to<\/span><\/span><\/b> \u2013 Chief Academic Officer<\/span>
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\u2022\tCollaborates with <\/span><\/span><\/b>\- Heads of Faculties, Regulatory and Institutional Planning Directorate, Academic Staff, Regulatory Bodies (CHE, DHET, SAQA) and Independent Contractors or Consultants.<\/span>
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\u2022\tExternal Stakeholders <\/span><\/span><\/b>\- Industry Partners, Professional Bodies, Accreditation Authorities<\/span>
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