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: