Writing Centre Coordinator - Acting (JB4994)
Randburg
Market Related

The Writing Centre Coordinator will oversee the operations of the newly established Digital Writing Centre.. This role is an add-on duty for a current academic staff member and will involve managing the day-to-day activities of the centre, ensuring that students receive high-quality academic writing support. The coordinator will be responsible for scheduling, communication, and reporting on the Centre's success, in addition to their existing duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight
  • Manage the day-to-day operations of the Digital Writing Centre, ensuring smooth functioning and efficiency.
  • Coordinate the scheduling of part-time writing consultants and junior lecturers to meet student demand.
  • Monitor student appointments, queries, and feedback to ensure timely and effective service delivery.
  • Serve as the primary contact for the Writing Centre, liaising with academic staff, students, and consultants.
• Student Support
  • Ensure that the Writing Centre provides comprehensive academic writing and referencing assistance to students across all disciplines.
  • Monitor student engagement with the centre and address any challenges or issues that arise.
• Staff Management
  • Oversee and support part-time writing consultants and junior lecturers, ensuring they are equipped with the resources and training necessary to provide high-quality academic writing support.
  • Facilitate team meetings, as needed, to review operations and feedback.
• Quality Assurance
  • Implement and monitor the effectiveness of the Writing Centre’s support services, gathering feedback from students and consultants to continuously improve operations.
  • Ensure adherence to best practices in academic writing support, aligning the Writing Centre’s activities with institutional standards and CHE accreditation criteria.
• Reporting and Evaluation
  • Track and report on student participation, consultant hours, and overall performance of the Writing Centre.
  • Provide regular updates to  the Chief Academic Officer on the impact of the centre, including student performance and feedback.
  • Recommend improvements or additional services based on emerging student needs and trends.

Key Performance Areas (KPAs)

1. Effective Coordination of Writing Centre Operations

Ensure the Centre operates smoothly, with well-scheduled sessions and high-quality support for students.

2. Student Engagement and Satisfaction

Track student participation, evaluate feedback, and ensure positive outcomes from writing centre services.

3. Consultant and Lecturer Oversight

Ensure part-time consultants and junior lecturers are well-supported and delivering valuable academic support.

4. Reporting and Feedback

Provide clear, timely reports on the centre’s operations and recommend strategies for improvement.

5. Continuous Quality Assurance

Maintain high standards in writing support and adapt services to meet student needs, ensuring alignment with CHE criteria.


Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications
  • A Master’s degree in any relevant discipline.
  • Strong academic writing and referencing skills (knowledge of Harvard, APA, and other referencing styles).
• Experience
  • Experience in academic support or tutoring, with an emphasis on student writing.
  • Familiarity with digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams for online student engagement.
• Skills
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, able to coordinate multiple tasks.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, academic staff, and writing consultants.
  • Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.

Key Competencies

• Leadership

Capable of leading and motivating a team of writing consultants and junior lecturers.

• Student-Centred Focus

Commitment to improving student writing and academic success through targeted support.

• Problem-Solving

Ability to address operational challenges and student concerns efficiently.

• Attention to Detail

Ensuring quality and consistency in the support provided by the Writing Centre.

• Adaptability

Flexibility to manage this role in addition to primary academic duties.

Compensation

• This role comes with a monthly coordination fee in recognition of the additional responsibilities, which will be reviewed after three months based on performance.

Duration

• Initially, this role will be reviewed after six months, with the potential for future expansion based on the Writing Centre’s needs and growth.