POSITION: FALF- FREF-MANDELA RESEARCH CHAIR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION

Location: Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa Contract Duration: Five Years – Fix Term Contract

Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF) NPC is a non-profit company that seeks to develop a pipeline of women academic leaders, using an intersectional lens to ensure no demographic group is left behind. Based on the Ministerial Task Team Report (2020) the social group that lacks representation in academic leadership and senior research is black women, namely African and Coloured South African women, as defined by the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003, as may be amended from time-to-time B-BBEE Act), (the Designated Group). FALF was founded by the Wits University Chancellor, Dr Judy Dlamini in 2020 to develop knowledge producers, academic leaders at all levels, research chair holders and directors of centres of excellence from the designated group. FALF offers grants and a wraparound support to successful fellows including running workshops on leadership, mentorship, academic citizenship, grant funding application, research, amongst others. This is made possible by the generous donors who are aligned to FALF’s vision.

FALF has raised funding for the Research Chair on Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion to be hosted at Nelson Mandela University (Mandela University). This has been made possible by funding from the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF). FREF is an empowerment foundation that supports various public benefit activities focusing on five focus areas, namely Agri-systems, Climate change response, Gender-based violence and femicide, Healthcare value chain and Quality education, providing funding in accordance with the provisions of its trust deed.

Nelson Mandela University is a dynamic institution dedicated to learning and teaching, innovation, research excellence, and societal impact. With strengths across business, science, engineering, health, law, education, and the humanities, the university fosters entrepreneurship, sustainability, and inclusive economic development. As a hub for cutting- edge research in marine sciences, renewable energy, digital transformation, and social justice, the university offers a collaborative, multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary environment for advancing impactful scholarship. FALF and Mandela University entered into an agreement that governs Mandela University’s administration and hosting of the chair.

FALF, in collaboration with Mandela University and FREF invites applications for the prestigious FALF-FREF-Mandela Research Chair in Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion position.

Objectives of the Chair:

• Increase the number of world-class Black female researchers: The Chair will contribute to diversifying South Africa’s research landscape by mentoring and developing female academic leaders from the designated group.
• Stimulate strategic and relevant research: Promote research excellence in entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, responding to sustainable development goals and national & international priorities.
• Identify practical evidence-based interventions to foster national entrepreneurial development.

• Create research career pathways: Develop academic opportunities for highly skilled young and mid-career Black female researchers at Mandela University, addressing the imbalances in racial, gender, and age representation in higher education.
• Increase the number of Black female Master's and Doctoral graduates: Support the academic journey of Black women through mentorship, research supervision, and structured career development programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic research in entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, with a focus on areas of national and international importance.
• Translate entrepreneurship and financial inclusion research to innovative practical interventions.
• Develop academic programs to increase the number of world-class Black female researchers in South Africa.
• Mentor and supervise postgraduate students, including Master's, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral fellows, focusing on producing high-quality Black female graduates.
• Drive initiatives stimulating research excellence across the knowledge spectrum and contributing to policy and socio-economic development.
• Collaborate with all departments within Mandela University, and other relevant institutions using an interdisciplinary approach to research.
• Foster collaboration with national and international institutions to enhance South Africa's research competitiveness.
• Secure external funding grants to advance the objectives of the Chair.
• Develop pathways for young and mid-career Black female researchers, effectively addressing historical racial, gender, and age imbalances in the academic sector.

Requirements:

• South African Black woman from the Designated Groups.
• Applicant must hold a Doctoral qualification relevant to entrepreneurship or the objectives of the Chair.
• Applicant should be an Associate or a full Professor at the time of application.
• Proven record of research excellence, with a strong publication record in Entrepreneurship or related area.
• Experience in successfully supervising postgraduate Masters and Doctoral students and producing high-quality accredited research outputs.
• A commitment to fostering diversity, gender equity, inclusion, and transformation in academia.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale research initiatives and secure research funding.
• Successful candidates should be prepared to submit a full project proposal in the Chair’s area.

Enquiries:     For MANDELA:

Email: lavern.redcliffe@mandela.ac.za Tel: +27; +27415043121