Dean of the UCA Graduate School of Development

School: Graduate School of Development

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Reports to: The Rector

Deadline: Open until filled

Qualification requirements

Qualifications
Education

• Education PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g., public policy, development studies, environmental sciences, social sciences) with a distinguished record of scholarly accomplishment.

Experience and Knowledge

• At least 10 years in academic or research leadership roles.

• Demonstrated research excellence and policy engagement in socio-economic development.

• Experience in fundraising, international collaboration, and postgraduate programme design.

• Proven expertise in academic policy development, quality assurance, and administration.

• Strong track record in faculty recruitment, research facilitation, and financial stewardship.

• Experience in institutional partnerships, student engagement, and curriculum development.

• Familiarity with Central Asia or work in transitional or developing contexts.

Abilities and Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership, vision, and organisational skills.

• Effective communicator, collaborator, and mentor.

• Ability to inspire interdisciplinary teams and manage across cultures.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills.

• Commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.

• Integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of accountability.

• Ability to motivate and inspire academic staff in research, education and service.

• Entrepreneurial, resilient, and results-oriented.

Language Requirements

• Advanced English proficiency required.

• Russian is desirable;

• Kyrgyz, Kazakh and/or Tajik is an asset.

Duties

Critical Accountabilities and Outcomes

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement GSD’s medium- and long-term research strategy aligned with UCA’s mission.

• Advance interdisciplinary, impact-driven research in socio-economic development, governance, environment, and cultural heritage.

• Oversee the implementation of successful professional and academic postgraduate programmes, and a suite of Executive Education programmes.

• Develop meaningful partnerships with the other UCA Schools – the School of Professional and Continuing Education and the School of Arts and Sciences.

Key Outcomes:

• Strategic vision realized through high-impact programmes.

• Increased visibility and influence of GSD in policy and academic domains.

• Set of postgraduate and executive education programmes.

Research, Policy, and Programme Development

• Promote and oversee research that responds to regional development priorities.

• Ensure rigorous, multidisciplinary outputs through GSD's disciplinary hubs.

• Guide the design and rollout of postgraduate offerings, certificates, and training programmes.

  Key Outcomes:

• Research informs regional development and global academic discourse.

• Academic and policy-oriented postgraduate programmes established.

• International and regional recognition of research outputs

Faculty Recruitment and Development

• Recruit, develop, and retain high-quality research and teaching staff.

• Support the effective management of GSD’s Academic Operations Office.

• Promote professional development, mentorship, and regional capacity building.

• Ensure robust mentoring systems for new and mid-career faculty members.

Key Outcomes:

• High-performing, diverse team aligned with UCA’s academic mission.

• Strong Central Asian representation in research delivery, educational programming, administration and leadership.

• Strong levels of retention and professional development.

• Excellence in academic administration.

External Engagement and Partnerships

• Build collaborations with academic institutions, think tanks, civil society, and government bodies.

• Support learning networks and regional dialogues in governance, environment, and civil society.

​​​​​Key Outcomes:

• Active, mutually beneficial partnerships in Central Asia and globally.

• Enhanced regional policy engagement.

​​​Cultural Heritage and Humanities

• Oversee research and preservation initiatives on cultural and intellectual traditions in the region.

• Support regional scholars and knowledge systems.

• Promote Central Asian culture and society globally.

​​​Key Outcomes:

• Documented and accessible cultural heritage resources.

• Strengthened identity and heritage research in Central Asia.

Fundraising and Grant Management

• Lead proposal development, grant capture, and donor engagement.

• Manage large-scale research projects with international partners.

• Facilitate the growth of a diverse team of potential Principal Investigators.

Key Outcomes:

• Sustained and diversified funding base.

• Effective implementation and reporting of funded programmes.

• Professional development of GSD’s academic teams.

Student Recruitment, Student Life and Academic Success

• Oversee student recruitment and progression to the master’s programmes (once launched).

• Ensure robust academic support systems for student success.

• Work with University offices to manage scholarships, internship opportunities, and awards.

• Ensure effective partnership between students, faculty and staff.

• Guarantee a research driven education agenda.

• Form/support educational partnerships with industry and multilaterals.

Key Outcomes:

• Strong and diverse student enrolment, retention and academic performance.

• Sustainable model of postgraduate programme delivery in Central Asia.

Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Lead the continuous improvement and accreditation of GSD programmes.

• Ensure programme effectiveness through student feedback and engagement with external expertise.

• Ensure postgraduate programmes and Executive Education provide for regional professional demands, while providing for international standard postgraduate programming.

​​​​Key Outcomes:

• High-quality, accredited academic programmes.

• Effective and adaptive curriculum development.

Institutional Leadership and Governance

• Represent GSD in senior management structures.

• Ensure alignment of GSD goals with UCA’s academic, financial, and operational plans.

Key Outcomes:

GSD is fully integrated within UCA’s strategic and operational systems.

Financial Oversight

• Manage the financial operations of GSD, ensuring responsible budgeting and resource allocation.

• Ensure effective use of donor support and revenue-generating initiatives.

• Enhance the sustainability of the School through consolidated cost-recovery and maximising impact per AKDN and donor investment.​​​​​​​

Key Outcomes:

• Sound financial governance and resource optimisation.
• Maximisation of donor and funding opportunities.
• Sustainability