Head of School (SOTE)

The Pasifika Communities University (PCU) reaffirms its commitment to delivering accessible, inclusive, and high-quality education across the Pacific, grounded in a Whole of Life approach that integrates spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and communal formation. Our model of education is value-driven, student-centered, and rooted in Pasifika self-determination - “for our people, by our people.”

At the heart of PCU is the ethic of vakamareqeti nai yau bula - the nurturing and stewardship of communal wealth, wisdom, and relationships. We seek to form graduates who will contribute to the transformative development of their communities, guided by relational accountability, cultural integrity, and service.

Position Summary

The position of Head of School in Theology & Ecumenism reports to the Academic Dean and is summarily responsible for the following core deliverables:

Position: Head of School – SOTE

Position category: Professorial/Head of School

Duration: A term of 4-years, renewable for only 1 term

Strategic goal: Advance PCU’s ‘Whole of Life’ education vision and philosophy through the academic programmes that SOTE offers and management of the Bilum; the research projects of SOTE, Facilitators of Learning (FOL) and Toloa; and through its communities learning exchange programmes.

Key Tasks

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for SOTE, including a vision for the school, and a set of strategies on how to advance PCU’s ‘whole of life’ vision of education through SOTE’s curricula, and research and community exchange activities.
• Review, produce and implement SOTE’s internal strategic plan in relation to the wider vision, goals and strategies of PCU, focusing on sustainability, including a five (5) years progressive income and expenditure budget, to assist with the PCU strategic plan.
• Responsible for growing the Toloa (students) numbers in SOTE for the sustainability and ensure achieving the Toloa intake quota per University policy.
• Monitor the implementation of SOTE’s fundraising and develop strategic partnerships in collaboration with the University’s grants management unit.
• Develop a strategy to strengthen FOL research grants and projects, toloa enrolment, conferences and workshops, and other forms of projects to generate SOTE costs and promote SOTE academic programmes.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership for academic programmes, promoting excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement within SOTE, and in collaboration with the other two (2) Bilums.
• Responsible for mentoring and evaluating the Facilitators of Learning (FOL) within SOTE, fostering a supportive environment for professional development.
• Ensure the implementation in SOTE of the University Financing model
• Oversee the design, delivery and review of SOTE programmes, and work with the Office of the Koi’mata Kiki to prepare the required documentations on SOTE programmes for accreditation and registration with external accreditation and registration bodies.
• Address the Toloa concerns, monitor and promote their success rates, and work to enhance the overall Toloa experience and wellbeing.
• Support FOL research initiatives, facilitate grant applications training, and encourage collaboration within and outside the PCU.
• Manage the ‘yau bula’[1] of SOTE, in particular its personnel, facilities, and budgets in the spirit and ethics of the ‘vakamaraqeti nai yau bula’[2] philosophy, and, hence, contribute to fostering a caring environment for creativity in research and in learning and exchange.
• Monitor the implementation of the SOTE’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Responsible for annual assessments and reviews of SOTE Facilitators of Learning (FOL), and staff.
• Oversee the pastoral and spiritual life of the Bilum in collaboration with the University chaplain and counsellors.
• Reports to the Koi’mata Kiki (Academic Dean).
  
  

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Holds a PhD degree from an internationally recognised higher education institution
• Well-grounded in values-based education
• Minimum ten (10) years in executive senior management positions in University level or a higher educational institution.
• Proof of successful grants application valued at $300,000.00 Fijian Dollars.
• Minimum ten (10) years of teaching experience and successful record of postgraduate research supervision in university level or higher education institution
• Minimum ten (10) years of creating and reviewing academic policies, ordinances, and organizational cultures
• Proof of work in the fields of decolonial studies and/or indigenous studies and methodologies
• Proof of work in holistic communities-based approaches to learning with some emphasis on justice-oriented pedagogies and transformative education
• Good and quality track record of academic research and publication with international recognition
• Commitment towards disadvantaged people and grassroots indigenous communities
• Passionate to promote the ‘Whole of Life’ vision of the University
  
  

Aspired

• Readiness to work in an ecumenical environment with multiple denominational and faith traditions and diverse cultural backgrounds
• Open minded and flexible to cultural difference in particular to indigenous cultures
• Good knowledge about the following:
• Ecumenism in the Pacific
• Diverse Pacific cultures and traditions
• Issues in the Pacific region.
• Advocacy for justice in the Pacific region
• Readiness to work in a team with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and nationalities.
  
  

[1] This iTaukei Fijian expression refers to the wealth of a people and its ethical and philosophy traditions and values; and land, natural environment and waters. It is the School’s duty of care to manage its ‘wealth’.

[2] This iTaukei Fijian phrase means to care and nurture the yau (wealth) of a community found in its human relations, traditions of wisdom and culture, and its natural environment. Its application to PCU means that each member of the university (council, executive and committee members, PCU Officers and Executives, Senior Officers, FOL, staff, toloa, and families) has the duty of care to protect and nurture the wealth of the college – human relationships, its traditions and history, its assets, and its financial and material resources, and the yau (wealth) of the communities it partners with.

Salary package: $85,428.00 Fiji dollars with accommodation provided in the University campus at the market value of $60,000.00 per annum.

Probationary period – a one (1) year probationary period until the candidate completes the communities’ cultural immersions, the Pasifika Philosophies course, and leadership training. A review process will take place before 12 months is over to determine t confirmation of position.

How To Apply

Click to view full Job Description.

Interested Candidates Are Invited To Submit An Application

• By fully completing the attached Application Template and adhering to associated instructions therein; Application Template
• Applications to be emailed to appointments@pcu.ac.fj with the subject title: APPLICATION FOR HEAD OF SCHOOL SOTE and copied to info@pcu.ac. Alternatively, send via postal mail to the address: The Registrar, Pasifika Communities University, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Islands.
• Applications close Monday 19th October 2026.
  
  

The Pasifika Communities University (PCU) is an equal-opportunity employer.

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