"Dean of Graduate School of Development"

School: Graduate School of Development

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Reports to: The Rector

Deadline: Open until filled

About the Graduate School of Development (GSD): GSD is a multidisciplinary academic unit of UCA, dedicated to research, education, and policy engagement focused on the mountain regions of Central Asia. These regions face unique and pressing challenges—from climate change and environmental degradation to socio-economic transformation and cultural preservation. GSD is organised around three disciplinary hubs: Social and Economic Sciences, Environmental and Climate Sciences, and Cultural Studies. These hubs are reflected in GSD’s constituent units: the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA), Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI), Civil Society Initiative (CSI), Cultural Heritage and Humanities Unit (CHHU), the Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP), and the Afghanistan Research Initiative. Together, these entities serve as a regional platform for advancing knowledge, policy dialogue, and capacity development, with a strong emphasis on the needs and resilience of mountain societies. GSD has also recently launched an Executive Education programme and is developing a portfolio of postgraduate academic offerings, led by its Associate Dean of Education.

Role Purpose: The Dean of GSD provides academic, intellectual, and strategic leadership to shape and guide GSD’s mission and growth. The Dean ensures that GSD’s research and educational outputs are academically rigorous, socially relevant, and regionally transformative. This includes steering the School’s research agenda, cultivating institutional partnerships, overseeing the development of postgraduate and executive education programmes, and supporting fundraising and grant development efforts. The role requires a dynamic academic leader with a strong track record in research and policy influence, as well as an understanding of the complex development landscape of Central Asia. The Dean will play a pivotal role in consolidating GSD’s contributions across disciplines and enhancing its impact on sustainable development across the region.

Reporting: The Dean of GSD reports directly to the Rector of UCA and collaborates with the University’s leadership team.

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.

Qualifications:

• 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.

Considerations: Regular travel across Central Asia and to international locations and events is required. This position is a senior management role and the appointed role-holder is expected to contribute to the development, management and leadership of the University.

How to Apply: Please submit your application (cover letter, CV and contact information of three references) on https://tinyurl.com/h739sj6x. Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.