PROFESSOR / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH) – Ium 32 views

Applicants must hold a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) or PhD in Public Health or a closely related field, with evidence of scholarly output such as peer-reviewed publications and successful grant applications. A minimum of five years of post-doctoral academic experience, including teaching, research supervision, and curriculum development in a Namibian or SADC-accredited institution, is typically expected. Registration with the Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA) and recognition of foreign qualifications through NQA verification may be required.

Daily responsibilities include delivering lectures and facilitating tutorials in public health courses, supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research, and conducting applied research aligned with national priorities such as HIV/AIDS, maternal health, or non-communicable diseases. Faculty also participate in departmental meetings, contribute to community engagement initiatives—often in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services—and serve on institutional committees such as ethics review boards.

Namibian academia values collegiality, respect for seniority, and responsiveness to national development goals—especially those outlined in Vision 2030 and the National Development Plans. Punctuality, formal communication in professional settings, and active participation in community-oriented research are strongly encouraged, while flexibility around deadlines may occur due to infrastructure or administrative constraints common in public institutions.

Career growth typically follows the Namibian Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) academic rank framework: progression from Associate Professor to full Professor, then to leadership roles such as Head of Department, Dean, or Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Some academics transition into policy advisory roles with government ministries or regional bodies like the WHO AFRO or SADC Secretariat, leveraging their public health expertise and local research networks.

Permanent academic staff in public institutions are covered under the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and entitled to 30 working days’ annual leave, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave per the Namibian Labour Act. Medical aid is often provided through group schemes such as NAMFISA-approved providers, though coverage levels vary by employer; some institutions offer partial subsidies while others require staff contributions.

Applications are submitted via official university portals or email as specified in the vacancy notice, usually requiring a CV, certified academic transcripts, proof of NQA qualification recognition, and a research-teaching statement aligned with Namibia’s health priorities. Employers prioritise candidates with demonstrable experience in community-based public health research, teaching in low-resource settings, and collaboration with Namibian health stakeholders—particularly those who have published locally relevant work or contributed to national health policy documents.