Academic Dean and Professor, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, located at the National Defense University, Washington DC

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies, an independent academic institution within the U.S. Department of Defense established and funded by Congress, is seeking an Academic Dean and Professor. The Academic Dean provides intellectual leadership, management and mentorship to Africa Center faculty and academic staff, oversees the design and execution of Africa Center academic programs, and represents the Africa Center in a diverse array of fora, including multilateral and bilateral meetings with African governments, intergovernmental organizations, academic seminars and conferences, and the U.S. government interagency community. Academics who are passionate about directly engaging African security sector practitioners (both civilian and military), influencing U.S.-Africa policy, and advancing the Africa Center’s vision of “security for all Africans championed by effective institutions accountable to their citizens,” are invited to apply.

Who we are

Since its inception in 1999, the Africa Center serves as a forum for research, academic programs, and the exchange of ideas with the aim of enhancing citizen security by strengthening the effectiveness and accountability of African institutions. The Africa Center engages across a wide array of African security topics commensurate with Africa’s diverse and evolving security landscape. Governance and institution-building, accountability and oversight, and democratic civil-military relations remain central to our work. The Africa Center mission is to advance African security by expanding understanding, providing a trusted platform for dialogue, building enduring partnerships and catalyzing strategic solutions.

About the position

The Academic Dean is a member of the Africa Center’s leadership team and plays an important role in guiding the Center’s strategic direction. The Dean provides intellectual leadership and mentorship to Africa Center faculty and academic staff, oversees the design, development, and execution of a diverse array of executive education type academic programs, and represents the Africa Center at various fora domestically and on the continent. Key academic portfolios comprise national security strategy development, managing security sector resources, countering violent extremism, countering transnational organized crime, cybersecurity, peace support operations, and maritime safety and security. More information about recent Africa Center programs may be found on the Center’s website: https://africacenter.org/programs/

In his/her role as a Professor, the Dean is expected to deliver lectures, moderate panels, facilitate seminars and discussion groups, advise participants, and conduct research consistent with the Center’s mission. As a member of the National Defense University (NDU) community, he/she will have access to a world-class academic library.

Core duties and areas of responsibility

• Supervision and mentorship
• The Dean will supervise faculty, overseeing their portfolios as well as the development and execution of their programs. He/she will maintain a standard of academic excellence and mentor faculty in their professional development.
• The Dean will also oversee all other Academic Affairs section staff, to include adjunct faculty, facilitators, guest speakers and panelists, and academic support staff.
• The Dean will promote a positive and collaborative institutional culture in his/her section and across the Africa Center as a whole.

• Strategic and organizational planning
  • The Dean will lead periodic academic portfolio reviews to inform the Center's annual strategic planning processes. As necessary, he/she will introduce new programs and activities, guaranteeing responsiveness to key trends on the African continent.

• The Dean will frame the overall academic guidelines, policies, and procedures for Africa Center academic programs, including refining and implementing the Center's peer-learning methodology.

• Representation and relationship-building
• The Dean will maintain professional relationships with senior U.S. government officials, leading African stakeholders, international officials, and academic experts to advance the Center's academic programming and overall mission.
• The Dean will manage the Africa Center’s academic relationship with NDU. He/she will work with and build synergies with relevant NDU colleges.

• Research and Publishing
• The Dean will undertake research on African security policy or strategy, making original and innovative contributions, particularly on topics of academic interest to the Africa Center.

• Other duties as assigned.