Assistant Lecturer Pacific Studies

The University

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is the premier tertiary institution in the Pacific region. Established in 1968, it is committed to international standards of research and teaching excellence, with an emphasis on key regional issues. USP is jointly owned by 12 member countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Courses are offered face-to-face at our main campuses (predominantly at Laucala Campus where this position is based), as well as by online and blended modes, in order to cater for students spread across 33 million square kilometers of ocean, on both sides of the international dateline. This location at the heart of the world’s most linguistically diverse region makes USP a fascinating institution in which to work.

The School

The successful candidate will be based in the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE) which houses the disciplines of Literature, Academic English, Pacific Studies, Linguistics, Education and Journalism.  SPACE also offers programmes in the vernacular languages of the South Pacific and is host to the Confucius Institute and the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies. SPACE encourages collegiality and is invested in the cultivation of a dynamic scholarly community.  It is one of the more research-focused schools in the university, a trend SPACE invites the successful applicant to continue.

The Opportunity

SPACE is seeking to appoint a motivated, experienced and talented academic who can make significant contributions to research, teaching, and leadership in the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies (OCACPS). Applicants are sought, with demonstrated capacity to teach core undergraduate courses and engage in impactful, Pacific-focused educational research.

The successful applicant will be an active member of the school’s vibrant research culture, and will contribute to teaching, course development and supervision at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This position plays an essential role in strengthening the delivery of Pacific Studies programmes, including at the development stages of courses and programmes. The applicant will also be able to undertake administrative duties commensurate with their position. The successful applicant will be located at the Tonga Campus, although there may be opportunities to deliver short-term flexi-schools at other campuses in the region.

Specific Duties

The appointee will be required to:

• Liaise effectively with University authorities, students, and community stakeholders;
• Ensure quality delivery, review, and continuous improvement of select Pacific Studies academic programmes;
• Teach approved Pacific Studies undergraduate and postgraduate courses using face-to-face and blended learning approaches;
• Supervise postgraduate research students and contribute to research capacity building, where appropriate;
• Provide advice on programme planning and student assessment to the Discipline Coordinator, Pacific Studies and the Director OCACPS;
• Ensure the integrity and quality of assessment processes, including tests, examinations, results, and assignments;
• Lead projects and engagement including marketing activities to promote OCACPS/Pacific Studies programmes in Tonga and regionally.

The Person we Seek

To be considered for this position, applicants must have;

• A Masters or PhD in Pacific Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies or a relevant field; or
• In exceptional cases, a Master’s degree or professional qualification with relevant teaching experience or relevant industry/professional experience or a significant research profile;
• Five years of work experience in a similar area in higher education institutions or equivalent organisations
• Higher Education Teaching Experience
• Ability to engage in academic seminars, conferences and symposiums concerning the arts industry
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to work independently in a demanding environment
• Citizenship of a USP member country

Enquiries and further information: Dr. Katrina Igglesden, Director of the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies, Laucala Campus; Email: katrina.igglesden@usp.ac.fj   Ph#: (+679) 3237175

The position is available for a term of term of five (5) years and may be renewed by mutual agreement, subject to successful performance outcome. 

Salary Range

TOP $77,517 – TOP $92,348 per annum  

Closing Date