The Open University of Kenya aims to address the pressing issue of limited capacity in traditional universities by employing innovative teaching and learning methodologies, including online and distance education. By leveraging technology and flexible learning modes, the university seeks to accommodate a larger number of qualified students, enabling them to pursue higher education opportunities.
The Role: Research Assistant - Education-English Literature
This position is essential for supporting the Open University of Kenya (OUK) mission by combining rigorous research activities, academic instruction, and student mentorship, specifically within the Education-English Literature domain. The role involves developing innovative teaching materials suitable for online and distance education formats and contributing significantly to the university’s overall research output and engagement with industry.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Research Assistant will undertake a variety of academic, research, and administrative tasks, including:
- Research & Publication: Develop compelling research proposals and publish problem-solving academic works. Attend conferences to disseminate knowledge and build collaborative networks.
- Collaboration & Outreach: Foster strong collaborations with industry partners and other universities. Provide consultancy services, effectively connecting the academic world with industry needs.
- Instructional Planning: Prepare comprehensive course outlines and recommend necessary teaching materials. Plan weekly course content delivery.
- Teaching & Assessment: Lecture effectively to explain complex course content. Set, administer, moderate, and invigilate assessments and exams to ensure fairness. Mark exams and accurately grade students.
- Curriculum & Content Development: Curate specialized content and develop innovative teaching materials that are strictly aligned with the established syllabus. Conduct practical activities for real-world learning and design effective experiments.
- Student Mentorship: Provide robust learner support. Mentor students throughout their Undergraduate projects and supervise student attachments/internships. Support student innovations aimed at entrepreneurship and social progress.
- Administrative & Financial Management: Manage research grants, lead research teams, and oversee project expenses. Participate actively in Departmental and School Boards.
- Public Engagement: Present academic articles at relevant forums and actively engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, such as environmental conservation.
Required Qualifications and Competencies
For appointment to this grade, candidates must demonstrate the following essential qualifications and competencies:
- Education: Possession of both a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree qualification in the relevant field from an accredited university recognized by the OUK Senate.
- Experience: A minimum period of three (3) years of relevant work experience in the Grade of Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant or a comparable position.
- Registration/Progression: Must be registered or registerable for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or an equivalent doctoral degree qualification.
- Professional Body: Be registered or registerable with the relevant professional body (where applicable).
- Knowledge: Demonstrate in-depth professional/discipline-specific knowledge and experience in a specialized field or possess broad knowledge across a number of related fields.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
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