Position Description Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Systems Management Academic Staff Member Department of Land Management and Systems Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce 18 June 2018 1
Position Description Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Agricultural Systems Management) Context Lincoln University is New Zealand s specialist land-based university, with a mission to tackle global challenges: Feed the World, Protect the Future, and Live Well. The University is committed to teaching and research excellence, and prides itself on its unique student experience and research culture that empowers its students, staff and graduates to make a real difference. With three academic faculties, two teaching divisions, several research centres, and a range of corporate service units, the University draws its students from throughout New Zealand and from over 60 countries. The University has a student roll of around 3,000 and approximately 600 staff. The Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce supports the Lincoln University strategy of being New Zealand s specialist, land-based university, through its portfolio of programmes and research focussed on feeding the world, protecting the future and living well. The Faculty does this through the delivery of business-related undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, research and effective engagement with relevant industry and professional organisations that focus on sustainable development and management of the natural, modified, and built environments. The Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce has particular focus on all aspects of agribusiness and aspires to become the leading provider of agribusiness education and research in Australasia. The Lecturer/Senior Lecturer position is within the Department of Land Management and Systems. The department is the focal point for teaching, supervision and research in agricultural and horticultural systems management (including agricultural engineering and forestry management), farm business management, rural and urban valuation, and property management. Purpose At Lincoln University, agricultural systems management is a discipline that integrates business management with agricultural (soil, plant and animal husbandries), engineering, environmental and social sciences into a systems framework. As well as economic performance, agricultural systems management must now address increasingly demanding standards of environmental integrity, and social responsibility. The particular focus of agricultural systems teaching at Lincoln University is management of New Zealand agricultural systems, and the Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Agricultural Systems Management) must have or demonstrate potential to teach and carry out research relevant to New Zealand agricultural systems. The Lecturer/Senior Lecturer has an academic role in the University that focuses on research, teaching and administration responsibilities. The teaching role covers courses at the diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as supervision of student research at the honours and postgraduate level. At the undergraduate level, teaching contributions will include Lincoln University s iconic Diplomas in Agriculture, Farm Management, Horticulture and Horticultural Management, and Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture). At the postgraduate level the focus is on the Master of Management and the Master of Commerce (Agriculture) degree programmes and PhD supervision. The Lecturer/Senior Lecturer also has administration responsibilities encompassing service to the University 2
and community including industry and professional communities. The depth and balance of teaching and administration responsibilities will change in relation to the seniority and development of the staff member. Key Outputs Research Actively engage in research that contributes to and advances the University s research culture and research outputs. Contribute to the Department and University research programme by conducting research on relevant topics as agreed with the Head of Department and Dean. Prepare and publish research findings in peer reviewed outlets, e.g., journals, books. Preferably, these core tasks are complemented by one or more of the following: Prepare bids and secure funding from national and international sources. Engage in collaborative research ventures with industry partners and other service providers, regionally, nationally and internationally as appropriate. Participate in consultancy activity as appropriate within the guidelines specified by the Head of Department, Dean and the Chief Academic Officer. Teaching Examiner and/or lecturer for core agricultural systems management papers within the diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Teach into other relevant courses as agreed from time to time with the Head of Department. Supervise postgraduate students research to the standard required by the Head of Department and University guidelines. Facilitate student learning in line with the Faculty s and University s goals and objectives. Maintain office hours in support of student learning and development, and assist individual students by providing course advice, guidance and assistance with academic matters. Administration / Service Administrative roles as required. Key Performance Indicators Research has been developed to the extent that it occupies an agreed proportion of the appointee s working time and is yielding demonstrable outputs including publication in high quality refereed journals and other peer reviewed outlets. Research findings are presented at national and international conferences, subject to available resources. Funding where relevant is being secured from research grants and contracts. Participation in consultancy activity as appropriate within the guidelines specified. Student learning is facilitated in line with the Departmental, Faculty and University goals and objectives. Postgraduate research is supervised to the required standard. Take on administrative roles as required. 3
Key Outputs Contribute to the quality management programmes within the Department, Faculty and University. Contribute to the functioning of the Department and Faculty through participation in meetings, seminars and workshops. Comply with all legal and University requirements in respect of the administration and management of all university records. Treaty of Waitangi Support the University to meet its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. Compliance Must be familiar with all relevant Lincoln University policies and procedures. All duties must be carried out in compliance with relevant laws, regulations and Lincoln University Policies. Other University Responsibilities Any other duties as may be required and as agreed with the Head of Department and/or the Dean of the Faculty. Key Performance Indicators Participation, where the opportunity arises or when requested, in a Faculty or University committee. Participates fully in Department and Faculty meetings, seminars and workshops as required. Participates in student recruitment programmes, registration and course advising as required. All legal and University requirements are complied with in respect of the administration and management of all university records. Demonstrates, and encourages others to demonstrate, support for the University s commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi. All Lincoln University H&S policies and procedures are complied with. All Lincoln University legislative requirements in respect of occupational health and safety are complied with. The employer is notified of any hazard that has come to the employee s attention in the course of their employment. Protective clothing/apparatus are used where procedures or common sense would warrant this. All legal and University requirements are complied with in respect of the administration and management of all university records. Any other duties that may be agreed are carried out in a professional manner. Staff Supervised This academic role is usually not responsible for the supervision of staff. Academic staff may have additional responsibilities e.g. Head of Department and these additional roles may require supervision of staff. Any additional responsibilities for staff will be mutually agreed and will be covered by separate letters of appointment. Accountability The Lecturer/Senior Lecturer reports through the Head of Department to the Dean of the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, and thence to the Chief Academic Officer and the Vice-Chancellor. 4
Key Relationships The Lecturer/Senior Lecturer is expected to establish effective working relationships with: Deans, HoDs and academic staff who teach into Lincoln University programmes. Faculty academic managers (Associate Dean (Academic) and the chairs of the Faculty Teaching, Postgraduate and Research Committees. Other relevant academic staff at Lincoln (Te Waihora) campus, and at other regional centres where Lincoln University programmes are delivered. Students within the Department and their representatives Other relevant staff within Lincoln University Relevant external organisation, agencies and service providers as appropriate. Person Specification Qualifications A relevant tertiary qualification in farm business management, agricultural systems or agribusiness. Candidates without a PhD may be considered, but will be required to undertake and successfully complete a PhD as a requirement of the position. Professional attributes Research Demonstrated potential or proven ability to initiate, develop and conduct quality research, and publish the results in peer reviewed outlets and present the results at conferences and other events. Demonstrated potential or proven ability to identify research opportunities and to encourage their realisation. Demonstrated potential or proven ability to initiate and secure funding from research grants and contracts, from both national and international sources. Evidence of effective engagement in collaborative work, with internal colleagues, industry partners and other service providers. Supervision Demonstrated potential or proven ability to provide effective postgraduate thesis supervision. Teaching Demonstrated potential or proven ability to stimulate, encourage and facilitate learning by both large and small student groups, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Demonstrated potential or proven ability to teach within a multi-and inter-disciplinary setting. Demonstrated potential or proven ability to design and develop academic course materials for students. Demonstrated potential or proven ability to support student learning and development, and assist individual students by providing course advice, guidance and assistance with academic matters. Specific discipline expertise Varied and extensive industry experience is desired in a wide range of agricultural systems and/or agribusiness disciplines. Experience in quantitative or qualitative research is advantageous. Proven ability to assess performance of primary industry systems; and to evaluate options for improving their performance. Relationship management Demonstrated interest in developing and maintaining relationships with relevant government, industry and community organisations and professional associations; 5
Demonstrated potential or proven ability to engage effectively with government, industry organisations and professional associations as appropriate. Personal Attributes The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and work cooperatively in a team is essential. The ability to communicate effectively and maintain good working relationships with all students and staff of the University and also external organisations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Well-developed organisation skills. The ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. The ability to anticipate events, identify desirable outcomes and develop a course of action resulting in the achievement of those outcomes. The ability to achieve identified goals within a specified timeframe. A good understanding of and commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi, and issues relating to equal opportunity (particularly in the tertiary environment). The ability to work in compliance with LU policies and procedures, and contribute to a respectful working environment. 6