THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
SEARCH COMMITTEE
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Council of the Copperbelt University, through the Search Committee wishes
to invite applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the positions of
Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY
The Copperbelt University is a Public University established in 1987 and is
regulated by the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013 as amended. It is situated
in Kitwe on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. It is an equal opportunity
employer that embraces diversity. The University’s core business is Teaching,
Research, Innovation, Industrialisation and Consultancy. It hosts the faculties
of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Mines and Mineral Sciences, Engineering,
The Built Environment, Medicine, Business, Natural Resources, Information and
Communications Technology, and the Graduate School. The university also
hosts the Dag Hammarskjold Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, the
Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Mining and five directorates namely, Centre
for Academic Development, Information and Communication Technology,
Distance Education and Open Learning, Commercial and Corporate Affairs, and
Planning, Property and Services. The University runs its programmes from six
(6) campuses namely Riverside-Kitwe, Parklands-Kitwe, Ndola Campus, Lusaka
Campus, Mpika Campus and Solwezi Campus.
The University has a total staff strength of 947 and a student population of
fourteen thousand (14, 000). More information can be obtained from the
University Website www.cbu.ac.zm
1.0 POSITION OF VICE-CHANCELLOR
1.1 Job Purpose: The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for the Strategic Leadership
of the University in academic, financial and administrative functions as
stipulated in the Higher Education Act no. 4 of 2013 as amended. The Vice-Chancellor reports to the University Council.
1.2 Key Responsibilities
a) Leadership and Governance
o Provides leadership for an inclusive staff and collegiate culture that
empowers individuals to realise their full potential and to achieve the
University’s goals in Teaching, Learning, Research, Innovation, and
Community Service;
o Ensures that all University activities and operations are carried out in
compliance with the University governance requirements, and any
regulations, rules, laws, codes and standards applicable to higher
institutions of learning in the country;
o Facilitates the implementation of outreach programs that reflect the
social responsibility of the University including its sustainability;
o Undertakes regular reporting to the University Council and Government
as required by the Act;
o Ensures that Council meetings are held as planned and resolutions of
Council are implemented;
o Ensures the availability and implementation of University risk
management framework;
o Promotes productivity through staff motivation and facilitating execution
of functions; and
o Contributes to public service and intellectual life.
b) Strategy and Management
o Leads the development of the University strategy and implements the
strategic plan;
o Identifies and negotiates collaborative agreements on behalf of the
University to attain its mission, goals and objectives;
o Ensures the availability of institutional internal controls and coordinates
operations of the University;
o Fosters high-value linkages with all stakeholders, especially alumni,
Government, local communities, Cooperating Partners and the private
sector;
o Ensures an effective performance management system is in place and
implemented; and
o Builds up strong management and leadership teams to ensure effective
institutional performance.
c) Academic Leadership
o Provides an effective academic environment for the pursuit of teaching,
learning, research and community service for the attainment of liberal,
professional, scientific and technical education which is responsive to the
needs of society;
o Strengthens the University’s position as a leading research, teaching and
innovation institution;
o Presides at all meetings of the Senate and ensures that it makes regular
reports to the Council regarding the performance of its functions;
o Ensures that University teaching calendars run smoothly;
o Presides at the Ceremonial assemblies of the University in the absence
of the Chancellor; and
o Creates and maintains a conducive academic and social environment for
staff and students.
d) Financial Management
o Ensures the development of financial management strategy of the
University and prudent utilisation of financial resources;
o Spearheads the mobilisation of financial resources in order to achieve
financial sustainability; and
o Enforces timely financial reporting.
e) Human Capital
o Ensures the development of human capital strategy of the University for
purposes of having a fit for purpose organizational structure, and staff
in order to achieve university strategic objectives;
o Ensures that the University recruits and retains sufficient numbers and
high calibre of academic, administrative and general staff on such
competitive terms and conditions of service as determined by the
Council;
o Establishes an environment that promotes staff discipline, motivation
and productivity; and
o Promotes industrial relations.
f) Infrastructure Management
o Ensures the development of infrastructure management strategy.
o Generates resources for infrastructure development;
o Enforces effective utilisation of university infrastructure; and
o Enforces effective maintenance of University infrastructure.
1.3 Qualifications and Experience
a) Must be a Professor (rank above Associate Professor);
b) Grade 12 certificate or its equivalent;
c) Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field from a reputable University;
d) Master’s degree in any relevant field from a reputable University;
e) Must have an earned PhD from a reputable university;
f) At least ten (10) years of work experience post PhD qualification at
senior management level in a higher education institution or a
comparable organisation;
g) Must have reasonable research impact metric; and
h) Must demonstrate ability to source funds and show proof of revenue
generation in the past five (5) years.
i) Must be an active member of a professional body.
1.4 PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
a) People management skills
b) Visionary
c) Creative thinking
d) Self-motivation
e) Open minded
f) Ability to work under pressure.
g) Confident
h) Teamwork
i) Assertiveness
1.5 TENURE
The Vice Chancellor is appointed for an initial term of five (5) years, renewable for a similar
period depending on performance.
1.6 REMUNERATION
The University offers a competitive remuneration package to the individual appointed to this
position.
2.0 POSITION OF DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR – RESEARCH AND
INNOVATION
2.1 Job Purpose: The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation
provides leadership and strategic direction and oversees the development
and implementation of the University’s strategic goals in the area of research,
innovation, consultancy, grants and partnerships in line with the Higher
Education Act No.4 of 2013, as amended.
2.2 Key Responsibilities
a) Leadership and Governance
o Provides leadership for research, innovation and consultancy;
o Ensures that all University activities and operations on research,
innovation and consultancy are carried out in compliance with the
University governance requirements, and any regulations, rules, laws,
codes and standards;
o Facilitates setting and implementation of the University Research and
Innovation Agenda;
o Spearheads the linkage of the University Research and Innovation
Agenda to the National, Regional and Global research and innovation
frameworks;
o Inculcates active research and innovative culture in the University.
o Ensures regular reporting of research and innovation activities to the
Vice-Chancellor; and
o Contributes to public service and intellectual life.
b) Strategy and Management
o Develops and implements the University Research Innovation and
Consultancy Strategy;
o Formulates and implements University Research Innovation and
Consultancy Policies;
o Strengthens the University’s position as one of the world-class
Institutions in research and innovation;
o Fosters linkages with stakeholders, such as government, industry and
communities;
o Ensures an effective performance management system for research,
innovation and consultancy; and
o Builds up strong management and leadership teams for research,
innovation and consultancy.
c) Research, Innovation and Consultancy
o Provides an effective environment that promotes productivity in
research, innovation and consultancy;
o Strengthens the University’s position as a leading research, innovation
and consultancy institution;
o Presides at all meetings of the Senate Committees on research,
innovation and consultancy;
o Identifies and negotiates collaborative agreements on behalf of the
University to attain its mission, goals and objectives;
o Spearheads the sourcing of consultancy opportunities;
o Administers and manages research grants and contracts;
o Ensures quality research output and publication in high-impact journals;
o Ensures patenting of Intellectual Property and commercialization of
University research outputs;
o Develops Innovation Hubs and Industrial Parks in the University;
o Ensures high research standards; adherence to ethics and reporting
standards of all funders;
o Facilitates the establishment of research infrastructure; and
o Collaborates with national, regional and international Research
Institutes.
d) Financial Management
o Mobilises financial resources for research and innovation activities; and
o Spearheads the generation of financial resources through research,
innovation and consultancies in order to contribute to the financial
sustainability of the University.
e) Human Capital
o Ensures that the University has appropriate capacity and competences
in research, innovation and consultancy;
o Establishes an environment that promotes staff discipline, motivation
and productivity; and
o Performs staff performance appraisals.
2.3 Qualifications and Experience
a) Must be Associate Professor or above;
b) Grade 12 certificate or its equivalent;
c) Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field from a reputable University;
d) Master’s degree in any relevant field from a reputable University;
e) Must have an earned PhD from a reputable university;
f) At least ten (10) years of work experience post PhD qualification at
senior management level in a higher education institution or a
comparable organisation;
g) Must show evidence of quality research output and publication in highimpact journals in the past two years.
h) Must demonstrate ability to source funds and show proof of revenue
generation in the past three (3) years.
i) Must be an active member of a professional body.
2.4 PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
a) People management skills
b) Visionary
c) Creative thinking
d) Self-motivation
e) Open minded
f) Ability to work under pressure.
g) Self-confidence
h) Teamwork
i) Entrepreneurial Skills
j) Assertiveness
2.5 TENURE
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation is appointed for an initial
term of four (4) years, renewable for a similar period depending on performance.
2.6 REMUNERATION
The University offers a competitive remuneration package to the individual appointed
to this position.
HOW TO APPLY
Candidates meeting the stated requirements must forward their application letters with
the following:
a) A Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of certified academic and professional
certificates as mentioned in their CV.
b) Applicants should include three names and addresses of referees, two of whom
must be professionally acquainted with the applicant.
Applications should be sent to the undersigned not later than 29th December 2023.
Electronic applications must be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Chairperson of the Search Committee
C/o Registrar
Copperbelt University
Jambo Drive, Riverside
P.O. Box 21692
KITWE