Executive Director University of the West Indies

University of the West Indies - Institute of Critical Thinking

The University of the West Indies (UWI), the premier higher-education institution in the English-speaking Caribbean, is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to the position of Executive Director, Institute of Critical Thinking at St. Augustine. The Executive Director reports to the Pro Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development.

The Institute of Critical Thinking (ICT) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) was established to promote critical, creative, complex and other forms of thinking which challenge paradigms of thought and encourage the re-thinking and re-learning of ideas, concepts and cognitive processes.

The ICT is expected to: stimulate and enhance research in different forms of critical thinking throughout the University; support the objective of the University in producing graduates who are critical and creative thinkers; and organise seminars, workshops and conferences to expose the general public (including educational institutions, government, agencies, private sector companies and non-governmental organisations) to alternative thinking processes which can be used in decision-making.

The ICT is currently located at the St Augustine Campus of the UWI, but caters to the needs of the other Campuses. The ICT is seeking to recruit an Executive Director to lead the work of the Institute.

Main Duties/Responsibilities of the Appointee
The Executive Director is expected to provide leadership in the provision of research, teaching and training to University and other personnel in critical and other forms of thinking. The Director is expected to:

1. Organise research in critical and other forms of thinking with special reference to the Caribbean.
2. Organise seminars, workshops and conferences to expose University staff and students and the general public to the principles of critical thinking.
3. Ensure the financial sustainability of the ICT.
4. Manage the facilities housing the ICT.
5. Develop a network of associates across the UWI and other agencies engaged in critical thinking.
6. Develop modules in critical and other forms of thinking which can be introduced within the curriculum of educational institutions.
7. Ensure the effective and efficient management of the Institute.
8. Liaise closely with the PVC (Planning and Development) in whose office the ICT is currently located as a special project.
9. Represent the ICT in international fora thus enhancing the reputation of the Institute.
10. Provide an annual report on the operations and the work of the ICT to the PVC (Planning and Development).

The successful candidate must have a PhD, experience in managing an educational institution, a good knowledge of alternative thinking processes, a good publication record using aspects of critical thinking, knowledge of the University system and a background in teaching in a reputable educational institution. The successful applicant is expected to assume duties as soon as possible.

Please submit detailed applications with curriculum vitae, giving full particulars of qualifications and experience, biodata; and the names, titles, mailing and e-mail addresses, fax and telephone numbers of at least three referees, to the University Registrar by 10 October 2011. Write under confidential cover to:

The University Registrar
Office of Administration
The University of the West Indies
Mona, Kingston 7
Jamaica, West Indies
oadmin@uwimona.edu.jm

Applicants are advised to ask their referees to send references under CONFIDENTIAL cover DIRECTLY to the University Registrar without waiting to be contacted. For application forms, please visit www.uwi.edu/jobs.