The Job

If you are interested in taking a leadership role in Central Asia’s top research university, as ranked by Times Higher Education World University Rankings, please apply for the role of Associate Provost, Teaching and Student Success.

The successful candidate will strengthen NU's global reputation for teaching. The successful candidate will work closely with the President, the Provost and the Vice Provost for Research, and will report to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

The job has a university-wide responsibility, and can be summarized in three parts: strategic leadership, team management and collegial professional development and finally, curriculum innovation and quality assurance:

1. Strategic Leadership
   1. To enhance the teaching reputation of Nazarbayev University, consistent with the University Strategy.
   2. To lead the transformation of educational practices using innovative, technology-enhanced learning solutions, in partnership with Advance HE and other professional development agencies.
   3. To review and implement relevant university policies, including: the NU Learning and Teaching and Strategy, NU Assessment Strategy and Assessment Policy, NU Response to Generative Artificial Intelligence in Learning and Teaching, and to develop new policies as needed.
   4. To chair related committees and working groups as needed.
2. Team Management and Collegial Professional Development
   1. To lead the NU Centre of Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CiLT) and promote it as a resource for NU faculty and the broader community.
   2. To enhance the quality of instruction across the University, including dissemination of best practices in teaching, course and curriculum design, with a focus on research-integrated teaching.
   3. To coordinate ongoing professional development for teaching staff, consistent with university requirements for contract renewal and promotion.
   4. To provide teaching advice and resources to newly appointed faculty, postdoctoral scholars and graduate teaching assistants, and faculty who may be referred to CiLT for development.
3. Curriculum Innovation and Quality Assurance
   1. Promote the adoption of evidence-based teaching practices and the development of student-centred learning.
   2. Ensure that undergraduate student feedback on courses and programs is communicated to faculty, and that action plans are developed and implemented, consistent with the NU Quality Framework and accreditation requirements.
   3. Collaborate with academic departments, Schools, faculty and external strategic partners to promote interdisciplinary learning and teaching initiatives.
   4. To proactively share experience in the field of learning and teaching with other Kazakhstani and regional universities, through conferences, seminars, roundtables and other outreach initiatives.
   5. Liaise between the university and external educational bodies and represent NU at national and international conferences and seminars.
   6. Foster partnerships with the community, industry, commercial organisations and School Advisory Boards to enhance the relevance and rigour of programs, including micro-credentials and lifelong learning initiatives.

Additional duties and responsibilities: 

• To conduct scholarly activity and research as appropriate to the position.
• Undertake professional development consistent with the role.
• To actively promote the values of the university, including academic integrity, as stated in the NU Learning and Teaching Strategy and other university policies.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the VPAA, including trips to international strategic partners and professional conferences, both within Kazakhstan and internationally, and occasionally to deputize for the VPAA for short periods.

Work experience

• Has achieved the academic rank of Full Professor with a distinguished record as a scholar.
• Three or more years in an academic  leadership role, for example, as Dean or Vice Dean, in a highly ranked university.

Knowledge and Achievements

• Substantial research profile in at least some of the following: teaching, assessment, enhancing student success and/or educational technology.
• Recognition as Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) or equivalent credential, demonstrating sustained strategic leadership in higher education.
• Experience as a university level educator at Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels.
• Knowledge of the Bologna Process, and experience in its implementation.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing technology-enhanced learning solutions and knowledge of emerging educational technologies.

Skills

• Collaborative approach to creating and implementing University level policies and procedures.
• Exceptional  interpersonal and written communication skills.

The Associate Provost for Teaching and Student Success also properly executes the tasks of the line manager and the University`s management; observes the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Employer`s internal documents; is responsible for appropriate performance of duties of his/her staff; is responsible for ensuring the integrity of official documents, and prevention of the disclosure or leakage of confidential and business information, as well as information of restricted access in accordance with the legislation, Charter and internal documents of the Employer;   in case of dismissal, is responsible for timely transfer of all paper documentation, digital information, inventory to another employee as instructed by the line manager (to be certified by the act of acceptance-transfer).

Recruitment and selection process
Recruitment and selection at Nazarbayev University include the following process: preliminary selection based on experience and qualifications, assessments (e.g. technical skills/capabilities, aptitude, personality, work samples, in-basket exercises, and informal interviews), and motivation.

Formal interviews form the final stage of the selection process.
They are typically based on organizational values and behaviors and conducted in English.
You are encouraged to share your views and values  to identify how they fit into  Nazarbayev University core values