Job Description (JD)
| Job Title: | Senior Lecturer in Journalism | ||
| Grade: | 12.1 | Salary range: | GMD 161013 to 187187 |
| Contract Type: | Permanent Subject to Confirmation after 3 years (if not already confirmed) | ||
| Reporting to: | Head of Department | ||
| Direct report: | Dean | ||
| Budget: | N/A | ||
ABOUT US
The Organisation
Established in 1999, the University of The Gambia (UTG) is a growing and dynamic university committed to supporting the socio-economic and environmental transformation of The Gambia and the sub-region through relevant and high-quality education to respond to the Gambia’s National Development Agenda, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
UTG offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including doctorate programmes in key areas central to the national, regional, and continental development needs of Africa. With several campuses in Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama, Faraba and Farafenni, UTG provides access to higher education to about 7,000 students, including international students every year.
School of Journalism and Digital Media
The School of Journalism and Digital Media (SJDM) was inaugurated in October 2014. It is one of the youngest at the University of The Gambia and offers a competitive programme in journalism with emphasis on practice and professionalism. It is geared to prepare students for engagement as reporters, broadcasters, commentators, specialist writers, administrators, or investors in the print and broadcast media. The SJDM currently runs a bachelor’s programme in journalism. There are plans to roll out an MA in Journalism and a Diploma in Photography and Film Making.
Job Overview
A Senior Lecturer is responsible for teaching, research, and academic leadership. Key duties include delivering and developing curriculum, conducting research with publications, and mentoring students and junior staff. They also engage in community partnerships, contribute to university committees, and handle administrative tasks. Essential qualifications include a Ph.D. and extensive teaching and research experience. Career progression may lead to positions like Associate Professor or department leadership roles. This position requires dedication to education, research excellence, and institutional development.
Key Responsibilities
- General Administrative Duties
- Coordinate departmental and institutional committees to improve governance and policy-making.
- Coordinate course and program content, module or programme implementation, working with others (support staff/academic colleagues) to ensure student needs and expectations are met and to align with institutional objectives.
- Coordinate administrative duties (such as invigilation, admissions, timetabling, examinations, academic hiring and assessment of progress and student attendance) to foster a positive institutional culture.
- Coordinate the organisation of external activities such as placements, field trips and international visits in order to establish partnerships teach at partner institutions or act as Link-Tutor.
- Co-ordinate the work of others to ensure modules are delivered to the standards required.
- Coordinate external networks to contribute to student recruitment, student placements, outreach work, generate income through research/consultancy projects and build relationships for future activities.
- Teaching and learning
- Coordinate the development/updating of curriculum and preparing/updating Course Guides
- Prepare/update lesson plans and learning and teaching materials
- Deliver lectures and provide tutorial, supervision of student projects, and other support to students
- Promote innovative teaching methods and technologies to enhance student learning outcomes
- Engage students and other academics to improve teaching methods and to enhance learning experience
- Set assignments, exams, other tests to assess learning outcomes and provide timely feedback
- Submit grades for timely processing by the relevant examination Boards
- Research
- Coordinate topics for student research, long essays and project work to respond to national, regional/global challenges
- Supervise student research, long essays and other projects to support learning and the development of knowledge
- Assess student research, long essays and projects to ensure learning outcomes are achieved
- Coordinate research seminars/workshop to share knowledge, identify research priorities and develop research to support students and other academics
- Collaborate with colleagues and students, fostering culture of academic inquiry and collaboration
- Conduct research and develop research projects, grant proposals to generate income and to respond to national, regional/global opportunities
- Publish articles and research outputs in reputable conferences, journals and other recognized outlets
- Promote effective utilization of labs, equipment and tools for research
- Community Service
- Coordinate School/Departmental/Unit meetings to ensure the programme delivery
- Coordinate the work of School, University committees, subcommittees and other adhoc groups set up to strengthen the running of Units/Departments/Schools
- Represent the University in committees and other activities outside the institution delegated by the Dean or Head of Departments
- Promote industry up skilling through internship programs
- Engage stakeholders to support knowledge transfer and exchange through seminars/workshops, other training and policy dialogues.
- Professional Development
- Coordinate the identification of training and professional development needs.
- Coordinate the mentoring of colleagues with less experience and advise on personal development
- Coordinate meetings, conferences, training opportunities/initiatives and other events in and outside of the institution.
Person Specification: Qualification and Experience
| Description | Essential | Desirable | |
| Qualifications | A minimum of M.Sc. degree (with a Thesis option) or a Ph.D. degree in a relevant or related area of specialization (Journalism). | ✓ | |
| The M.Sc. (with a Thesis option) degree holder shall have not less than two years teaching experience as Lecturer I in a university or institution of similar status | ✓ | ||
| Knowledge, experience, and expertise | a) Must have at least three (3) good research paper publications in reputable scientific journals/since his/her appointment as Lecturer I. | ✓ | |
| Experience Demonstrate research experience preferably evidenced by publications and conference presentations. | ✓ | ||
| Show evidence of ability to provide academic leadership | ✓ | ||
| Previous teaching experience at graduate level will be an advantage | ✓ | ||
| Skills and values | Strong communication and interpersonal skills. | ✓ | |
| Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse academic environment. | ✓ |
REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Interested candidates should submit all of the following documents:
- A completed University of The Gambia Job Application Form;
- A signed application letter addressed to the Director of Human Resources;
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV) using the UTG CV template;
- Certified copies of academic and professional certificates;
- Copies of academic transcripts; and
- Three (3) confidential reference letters attesting to the applicant’s academic and professional suitability for the position applied for.
Each application must clearly indicate the position and school/unit for which the candidate is applying. Kindly refer to the JDs to be clear on positions available for each school/unit before applying.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Applications may be submitted by mail or email to:
The Director of Human Resources
University of The Gambia
MDI Road, Kanifing
The Gambia
Email: utghr@utg.edu.gm
DEADLINE
The closing date for submission of applications is July 31, 2026.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application is strictly online (no hard copies will be accepted)