Librarian and Lecturer: Theory

(Intended starting date, January 2025)

Are you passionate about guiding students in a creative industry to improve their academic literacy, writing and research? Our Fundamentals theory team shares a passion for visual culture and moving image theory, so if you are keen on assessing related theory assignments, and mentoring students to improve their academic skills, whilst being happy to also support library functioning at a soon-to-be-launched OW campus, then this opportunity is for you!

The Fundamentals Department at Open Window is seeking to appoint a Lecturer who will join our theory team, with an initial focus on academic literacy content development, whilst supporting in evaluation of theory subjects. The successful candidate will also be responsible for managing the library at the Blairgowrie campus initially.

ABOUT THE OPEN WINDOW:

The Open Window (OW) is an accredited private higher education institution recognised for setting innovative standards in the field of visual arts and digital sciences. Founded in 1994, OW has a focus on providing a unique tertiary platform where practice-led tuition links traditional fine art practice with the applied arts. Emphasis is placed on continual innovation within curricula so as to maintain relevance in the rapidly evolving creative arts industries. Many Open Window lecturers, in addition to their academic roles, are actively engaged in creative practice, and we encourage our lecturers to maintain their links to industry. Our investment in highly qualified and industry-relevant staff is deemed critical in directing our students in work-integrated learning projects of value.

Open Window is known for:

• Various Higher Certificates
• Bachelor of Creative Technologies
• Bachelor of Film Arts
• Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design
• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Visual Communication
• Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice

The Open Window currently has two accredited campuses: Centurion & Stellenbosch. We are currently in the process of accrediting our third campus in Blairgowrie, Johannesburg.

ROLE OUTLINE FOR THE OW BLAIRGOWRIE CAMPUS:

The position is to be filled at the soon-to-be-launched Open Window Blairgowrie Campus, where the successful candidate will initially be responsible for the management and running of the library space, outside of their student-facing/lecturing schedule.

At the outset, the successful candidate will need to negotiate their time between working within the context of the Fundamentals Theory team (virtually-mediated mode of provisioning between both colleagues and students), and operating from the Blairgowrie Campus within the Library space during library operating hours on the campus (9 am – 4 pm daily).

ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTALS DEPARTMENT:

The successful candidate will join enthusiastic academics and professionals in Open Window’s Fundamentals Department, which oversees subjects such as Academic Practice, Media Perspectives, Drawing and Narrative, Moving Image Theory, Visual Culture, and Research Foundation. The Department of Fundamental, therefore, oversees the foundational and theoretical subjects that are relevant to all the Higher Certificate Programmes, and the four Degree programmes at Open Window:

• Bachelor of Creative Technologies
• Bachelor of Game Design and Animation
• Bachelor of Film Arts
• Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design

ROLE DESCRIPTION: LECTURER: THEORY

The Fundamentals Theory subjects are compulsory for all students at The Open Window, and so theory lecturers need to be able to teach, administer and assess for large groups of students in both virtual environments, as well as facilitated through in-person contact sessions, discussion groups and engagement opportunities. At the outset, this specific role will be focused on providing administrative support within the lecturing team, as well as specialised academic literacy support to students (via group workshops, contact sessions, and developing content for an Academic Literacy Resource Hub), as well as assisting the students with their academic skills, as well as contributing the the assessment processes within the theory subjects, and the Fundamentals team as a whole.

Generally, your work will include:

• Facilitating learning in digital classrooms and face-to-face, across student levels (from Higher Certificate, to first year to final year), and across discourse disciplines (Visual Culture to Moving Image Theory and in between).
• Guiding students through projects and learning opportunities
• Contributing to curriculum and content development
• Assessing student work
• Mentoring students as they build confidence, skills, and creative identities
• Collaborating with colleagues on cross-disciplinary contexts
• Staying up to date with emerging discourses in the creative arts and technologies fields
• Attending and participating in Open Window-related events and initiatives – such as open days, supplementary (SUP) events and graduation ceremonies
• General subject administration

ROLE DESCRIPTION: LIBRARIAN

• Work within the Collections and Research Management Department, functioning as the Librarian: Blairegowrie.
• Providing a coherent structure for both the physical and digital library resources (collection management at Blairgowrie).
• Assist with the acquisition, cataloguing, conservation and storage of the library’s collection at the Blairgowrie Campus.
• Use the library’s systems and ensure accurate documentation and digitisation of new & existing resources at Blairgowrie
• Monitor the physical condition of the library’s resources and coordinate conservation efforts.
• Enhance the visibility of OW’s Blairgowrie collections and supporting educational and outreach activities.
• Assist students at the library daily, and assist academic staff where necessary – guided by the Research and Collections Department processes.

ROLE-RELATED SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

The role requires competency in the following software:

• Excellent digital literacy
• Office Suite (Excel, Word) or Google Suite (Google Sheets, Google Docs)

GENERAL BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Good interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivation and regulation
• Strong visual intelligence and aesthetic sensibility
• Enthusiasm towards the subject(s) and field(s)
• Display a good grasp of the industry (locally and internationally) as well as the discourse related to the field
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Capable of working in a team (very important)
• Problem-solving and problem framing skills/ideation, and conceptual abilities
• Be able to cope under pressure and meet deadlines
• Be dynamic, adaptable, and a creative thinker with administrative skills

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum NQF Level 8 qualification (honours degree or equivalent) in Visual Studies or similar.
• An up-to-date CV showing relevant experience in teaching and evaluating theory subjects at the tertiary level.

ADDED ADVANTAGES FOR THIS POSITION:

• Practical experience in any related field to Open Window’s offering (film arts, animation & game design, communication design, creative technologies, or similar) – with a portfolio available.
• A teaching qualification / Master’s qualification

REMUNERATION:

R320 000 – R400 000 per annum

(negotiable within the indicated annual remuneration range, as commensurate with the incumbent’s overall experience and qualification level)

No additional benefits are on offer outside of the indicated remuneration package, other than a Retirement Annuity, of which Open Window contributes a majority portion of the prescribed minimum contribution.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To apply, please send

• Your CV (including an outline of your highest qualification and research interest)
• A motivational cover letter indicating interest in both the lecturing and the library role, and emphasising your take on how the two portfolios complement each other and why you are the best candidate for the vacancy.
• a portfolio (where relevant)

ToAmy Maphagela (Academic Administrative Manager) – [email protected]

Closing Date for applications is 17 November 2025.

Please note:

• The Open Window reserves the right to retract the position advertised without notice.
• In support of the company’s Employment Equity plan, applicants from designated groups are encouraged to apply.
• No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.
• Should you not receive a response within two months after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
• As your application is likely to contain personal information, the documents will be handled according to OW POPIA policies, and the information will be shared with HR, interview panel members,, and the Academic Executive

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