Dean, School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH)

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Dean is responsible for providing strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the School, including but not limited to the following:

Strategic and Institutional Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of the SSH strategic plan in full alignment with the University’s new strategic plan.
• Contribute to the University’s strategic governance as a member of senior academic and management bodies and represent the School on University committees.
• Ensure that the School’s activities measurably contribute to University priorities.
• Promote academic freedom, ethical standards, and a culture of excellence in teaching, research, and public service, in line with University regulations.
• Foster strong internal collaboration with other Schools and Research Centers to support interdisciplinary education and research within NU.

Academic Quality, Teaching, and Student Outcomes

• Ensure high academic quality and continuous improvement of undergraduate and graduate programs, aligned with international best practices.
• Oversee teaching and learning, assessment, and quality assurance processes within the School.
• Approve and implement the School’s teaching and learning strategy in consultation with the University.
• Plan and deliver student recruitment targets, including fee‑paying and international students, contributing to projected tuition revenue KPIs.
• Promote joint, dual, and interdisciplinary programs with leading international partners.
• Support initiatives that enhance graduate employability, critical thinking, communication skills, and societal impact.
• Liaise with the Vice‑Provost for Academic Affairs and Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning on curriculum changes, program development and review, quality assurance, accreditation and compliance matters.

Research, Innovation, and Societal Impact

• Develop and implement the SSH research strategy in alignment with the University research agenda and national priorities.
• Foster a strong research culture with a focus on:
  • high‑quality publications in Q1 and top-decile journals
  • policy-relevant, socially impactful, and interdisciplinary research
  • international visibility and collaboration.
• Support growth in external research income from governmental, international, and non‑governmental sources.
• Encourage faculty engagement in public discourse, policy advisory, and societal impact initiatives.
• Liaise with the Vice‑Provost for Research and Innovation, and Associate Provost/Director Doctoral Institute, and relevant University units on research infrastructure, funding, and compliance matters.

Financial and Resource Management

• Lead the SSH annual and medium‑term budgeting processes and ensure financial sustainability.
• Take responsibility for achieving agreed financial and management performance targets, including non‑governmental revenue from academic programs.
• Ensure that financial operations comply with University internal regulations and approved procedures.
• Oversee effective use of facilities, digital resources, and infrastructure in support of strategic objectives.
• Ensure the effective functioning of School‑level committees and governance structures.

People Management and Talent Development

Lead workforce planning, recruitment, and retention of academic and professional staff.

• Take part in the recruitment and performance evaluation of senior academic staff.
• Mentor, develop, and appraise direct reports and promote a culture of high performance and engagement.
• Support faculty development, promotion, and succession planning, including advancement of women and under‑represented groups in senior academic roles.
• Contribute to increasing the proportion and development of national faculty in line with University objectives.

External Engagement and Reputation

• Represent SSH to government bodies, international organizations, universities, donors, and industry partners.
• Reinforce SSH’s national and international reputation through partnerships, public dialogue, and scholarly engagement.
• Promote the School’s contribution to social, economic, and cultural development in Kazakhstan and beyond.
• Support organization and hosting of international conferences, forums, and executive education programs in coordination with the University.

Compliance, Ethics, and Well‑Being

• Ensure that all School activities comply with University policies, internal regulations, and applicable legislation.
• Promote a strong culture of integrity, academic ethics, health, safety, and well‑being within the School.