Dean, School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH)

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 SSH strategic plan in full alignment with the Universitys new strategic plan.
• Contribute to the Universitys strategic governance as a member of senior academic and management bodies and represent the School on University committees.
• Ensure that the Schools activities measurably contribute to University priorities.
• 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 undergraduate and graduate 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 consultation with the University.
• Plan and deliver student recruitment targets including feepaying and international students contributing to projected tuition revenue KPIs.
• Promote joint dual and interdisciplinary programs with leading international partners.
• Support initiatives that enhance graduate employability critical thinking communication skills and societal impact.
• Liaise with the ViceProvost for Academic Affairs and Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning on curriculum changes program development and review quality assurance accreditation and compliance matters.

Research Innovation and Societal Impact

• Develop and implement the SSH research strategy in alignment with the University research agenda and national priorities.
• Foster a strong research culture with a focus on:
  • highquality publications in Q1 and top-decile journals
  • policy-relevant socially impactful and interdisciplinary research
  • international visibility and collaboration.
• Support growth in external research income from governmental international and nongovernmental sources.
• Encourage faculty engagement in public discourse policy advisory and societal impact initiatives.
• Liaise with the ViceProvost for Research and Innovation and Associate Provost/Director Doctoral Institute and relevant University units on research infrastructure funding and compliance matters.

Financial and Resource Management

• Lead the SSH annual and mediumterm budgeting processes and ensure financial sustainability.
• Take responsibility for achieving agreed financial and management performance targets including nongovernmental revenue from academic 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.

External Engagement and Reputation

• Represent SSH to government bodies international organizations universities donors and industry partners.
• Reinforce SSHs national and international reputation through partnerships public dialogue and scholarly engagement.
• Promote the Schools contribution to social economic and cultural development in Kazakhstan and beyond.
• Support organization and hosting of international conferences forums and executive education programs in coordination with the University.

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 :

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 will be a 1-year Dean position and it is expected that the new dean will join this role during current summer to ensure an overlap with outgoing SSH dean whose term is finishing by the end of July 2026. Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and leadership vision
• A detailed academic curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for three professional references

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