Review of Heads of Departments

For the first time HoD, two reviews take place during their term of office. The first review takes place at the end of the first year of appointment and is formative in nature, seeking to provide feedback to the HoD on strengths, successes and/or areas of development. The Dean will also explore with the HoD what support is needed to assist with the responsibilities, any difficulties experienced as well as the service provided by support divisions.  The second review will take place about 6 months before the end of the term of office. This review will be a summative assessment with the purpose of:

  • determining the suitability of the HoD to continue as HoD (assuming that the individual is prepared to be considered for a second term and this is also suggested by member/s of the department)
  • making a recommendation related to academic HoD leave, see Protocol regarding allocation of academic leave following end of term of office of HoD
  • recommending the HoD for a merit award in the event of a very positive assessment.  The individual may also seek to include aspects of the review in a personal promotion application.

More detail is provided in the Protocol for the Support, Development and Review of HoDs

Where the HoD has already served at least one term of office, and provided that no substantive concerns or areas of development were identified in the previous assessment, the Dean and HoD may agree to not conduct the first review. In this instance, the Dean and HoD shall still meet after the first year to allow the HoD to give the Dean feedback on departmental dynamics and for the Dean to explore what support, if any, the HoD needs to effective execute the roles and responsibilities of HoD. The final review will take place about 6 months before the end of the term of office. This review will be a summative assessment with the purpose of:

  • determining the suitability of the HoD to continue as HoD (assuming that the individual is prepared to be considered for a second term and this is also suggested by member/s of the department)
  • making a recommendation related to academic HoD leave: Protocol regarding allocation of academic leave following end of term of office of HoD
  • recommending the HoD for a merit award in the event of a very positive assessment.  The individual may also seek to include aspects of the review in a personal promotion application.

More detail is provided in the Protocol for the Support, Development and Review of HoDs

Last Modified: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:42:48 SAST