Job Description

Position title

Director Community Service and Industry Linkages

Contract type

Fixed Term (4 years with possibility of extension).

Reports to

The Vice President for Research, Innovation and Partnerships

Division

Research, Innovation and Partnerships

Application Deadline

 November 22, 2026 (11:59 PM)

University of Hargeisa

Founded in 1998 and officially opened on 23 October 2000, the University of Hargeisa stands as a beacon of academic excellence, research, and community service in Somaliland. As the largest public university in the region, UoH holds a proud tradition of fostering intellectual growth and societal advancement. At UoH, we believe in the transformative power of education to unlock human potential and drive societal progress. Through a rigorous academic curriculum, innovative teaching methodologies, and a supportive learning environment, we empower our students to pursue their passions, expand their horizons, and become lifelong learners and critical thinkers.

Role Purpose

The Director of Community Service and Industry Linkage is responsible for providing strategic leadership and coordination of the University's community service, engagement, industry linkages, and stakeholder relations. The Director promotes community service, student internships, graduate employability, and collaboration with industries and external institutions to strengthen the University's contribution to socioeconomic development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

·         Develop clear roadmaps and guidelines to establish and strengthen the university–Community Engagement and Industry Linkage model aligned with the University's strategic objectives.

·         Deliver demand-driven, problem-solving, cost-effective, inclusive, and impactful community services that respond to community priorities and contribute to sustainable development.

·         Coordinate community outreach, public awareness, volunteerism, civic engagement, and institutional social responsibility programmes across the University.

·         Establish, strengthen, and expand mutually beneficial partnerships with industries, employers, professional associations, community organizations, government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.

·         Strengthen University–industry collaboration through practical training, professional development, industry exposure, and initiatives that address workplace skills and industry needs.

·         Promote staff and student participation in community development and experiential learning through internships, industrial attachments, practicums, externships, and community-based training.

·         Strengthen Community-Based Education (CBE) by supporting Team Training Programs (TTP), Community-Based Training Programs (CBTP), and other experiential learning approaches in collaboration with relevant colleges.

·         Facilitate industry placement opportunities that enhance students' practical experience, professional competencies, and graduate employability.

·         Coordinate career development initiatives, including career fairs, employer recruitment forums, professional mentoring, and employment readiness programs.

·         Facilitate capacity-building training, awareness workshops, professional consultancy services, and practical skills development activities that respond to community and industry needs.

·         Support the establishment and expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programs and learning centers to promote practical STEM education among children and young people.

·         Facilitate accessible, affordable, and high-quality community education opportunities, including hands-on and laboratory-based training where appropriate.

·         Develop and coordinate community service projects and industry linkage initiatives in collaboration with relevant colleges, departments, and external partners.

·         Ensure that community engagement and industry linkage activities are integrated and coordinated across colleges, institutes, and academic departments.

·         Facilitate the development, implementation, and monitoring of institutional partnership agreements supporting community engagement and industry linkage activities.

·         Monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of community engagement programs, industry partnerships, student placements, and graduate employability initiatives.

·         Advise University management on community engagement priorities, industry linkage opportunities, stakeholder relationships, and strategies for strengthening the University's societal contribution.

·         Manage the Directorate's operations, including staff supervision, annual planning, budgeting, and efficient allocation and utilization of financial, human, and material resources.

·         Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual performance reports and provide regular updates to the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Partnerships.

·         Perform any other duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.

▪         Do any other task assigned by the Supervisor

Experiences and Qualifications

Key Qualifications

·         A PhD in Health Science, Social Science, Development Studies or a related field.

·         Minimum of five years of relevant experience in higher education administration, community engagement, industry relations, or institutional partnerships.

·         Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, program coordination, and institutional management.

·         Strong communication, negotiation, leadership, and administrative skills.

·         Knowledge of higher education systems and Somaliland's socioeconomic development priorities.

Key Competencies

·         Strong strategic leadership, planning, and organizational management skills.

·         Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with communities, industries, employers, and institutional partners.

·         Excellent communication, negotiation, networking, and stakeholder engagement skills.

·         Ability to coordinate multiple programs, manage resources, and achieve institutional targets.

·         Strong analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, and decision-making skills.

Performance Evaluation

·         Achievement of annual community service and industry linkage objectives and performance targets.

·         Number and effectiveness of active community and industry partnerships.

·         Success in coordinating community outreach, volunteerism, and social responsibility initiatives.

·         Number and quality of student internship, industrial attachment, and graduate employability opportunities facilitated.

·         Effectiveness of employer engagement, career development, and stakeholder collaboration activities.

·         Efficient management of Directorate resources and compliance with university policies.

·         Timeliness and quality of reports submitted to the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Partnerships.

Skills Required

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