Dean, Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP)

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 GSPP Strategic Plan in alignment with the University Strategy.
• Contribute to the Universitys strategic governance as a member of senior academic and management bodies and represent the School on University committees and to external stakeholders including policy makers and government officials.
• Ensure that the Schools activities measurably contribute to University priorities including:
  • graduate employability and career outcomes
  • sustainability and SDGaligned research and education
  • diversification of nongovernmental revenue
  • improvement of international rankings
• 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 degree and nondegree programs aligned with international best practices.
• Oversee teaching and learning assessment and quality assurance processes within the School.
• Approve and implement the Schools teaching and learning strategy in line with the University strategy and in consultation with the Provost and Vice Provost Academic Affairs.
• Plan and deliver student recruitment targets including feepaying and international students contributing to projected tuition revenue KPIs.
• Promote joint dual and executive education programs with leading international partners.
• Support initiatives that enhance graduate employability professional skills and policy impact.

Research Innovation and Policy Impact

• Develop and implement the GSPPs research strategy in alignment with the University research agenda and SDG priorities.
• Foster a strong research culture with a focus on:
  • highquality publications in leading journals (Q1 and top decile)
  • policyrelevant and impactdriven research
  • international visibility and collaboration.
• Support growth in external research income from governmental international and nongovernmental sources.
• Encourage and support faculty participation in international conferences forums and policy platforms.
• Liaise with the ViceProvost for Research and Innovation and relevant University units on research performance collaboration research infrastructure funding and compliance matters.

External Engagement and Reputation

• Represent GSPP to government bodies international organizations universities donors and industry partners.
• Reinforce GSPPs national and international reputation through partnerships policy dialogue and public engagement.
• Promote the Schools contribution to public policy development in Kazakhstan and internationally.
• Support organization and hosting of international conferences forums and executive programs in coordination with the University.

Financial and Resource Management

• Lead the GSPPs annual and mediumterm budgeting processes and ensure financial sustainability.
• Take responsibility for achieving agreed financial and management performance targets including nongovernmental revenue from academic and executive education 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 Schoollevel 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 underrepresented groups in senior academic roles.
• Contribute to increasing the proportion and development of national faculty in line with University objectives.

Compliance Ethics and WellBeing

• 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 wellbeing within the School.

Qualifications :

The candidate must be eligible for appointment at the rank of Full Professor or equivalent

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel internationally and work beyond regular office hours as required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and operate with a high level of professional integrity.

Additional Information :

Application Information

This position is open to external and internal candidates and open till February 25th 2026. Review of applications will begin after the deadline. Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and leadership vision
• A curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for three professional references (at least one being a current or former line manager).

Employment at Nazarbayev University is subject to verification of academic credentials and compliance with institutional policies.

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

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time