Appointment

1. The College Dean will appoint the Head of an Academic Organisational Unit (AOU) on the recommendation of the relevant Director. In formulating this advice, the Director will seek expressions of interest from staff of the AOU and undertake a merit-based selection process, usually in accordance with the ANU recruitment and selection guidelines.
2. It is anticipated that the appointee will be drawn from within the AOU concerned. However, on the recommendation of a Director, the College Dean may seek nominations from within the broader ANU community or, where appropriate, external to the University.
3. The broad indicative roles and responsibilities of the Head are outlined in Attachment A. The Director may vary these as necessary for individual appointments.
4. It is expected that the appointment will normally be for a minimum term of three to five years as determined by the College Dean. However, a Director may recommend a term that meets the specific needs of the AOU or of the appointee.
5. The appointment is subject to ongoing satisfactory performance. The University or the appointee may terminate it at any time by providing at least one month's notice.
6. A Director may recommend to the College Dean that an appointment be extended for a further period as agreed between the parties. The College Dean may approve or alternatively require the area to undertake a selection process.
7. All papers relating to the selection and appointment of Heads should be forwarded to the Director Human Resources.
8. At the conclusion of the appointment the Head will revert to their substantive appointment and conditions, unless the Director Human Resources has agreed to other arrangements in writing.

Size of AOU

9. The University recognises that AOUs vary in size, financial and staffing responsibilities, number and complexity of degrees offered, disciplinary/multi-disciplinary composition, and the extent of responsibilities delegated by the Director.
10. The number and sizes of AOUs will be determined by the College Dean or the Director of the Faculty, School or Centre.
11. The University remunerates its Heads by way of a salary loading based on a formula using a staffing index. It refers to the number of equivalent full-time academic staff plus 50% of the FTE general staff in the AOU. The index is based on staffing numbers at the 31 March census of the preceding year. Applications to vary the index can be made to the Director Human Resources.
12. The staffing index is as follows:
         a) A large AOU has a staff index of 20 or more;
         b) A medium AOU has a staff index of between 11 and 19 inclusive; and
         c) A small AOU has a staff index of between 6 and 10.
         d) Other AOUs are those with a staff index of less than 6, or where the Head of the AOU has no budget responsibilities.

Remuneration

13. A superannuable loading is payable to the Head in addition to their substantive salary as follows:
         a)A large AOU - up to $20,095 per annum
         b)A medium AOU - up to $16,076 per annum
         c)A small AOU - up to $12,057per annum
         d)Other AOUs - up to $8,038 per annum

The above loadings are effective from 27 November 2008 and will be varied in accordance with approved Enterprise Agreement salary adjustments.

14. Appointees who are members of Unisuper may receive their loading pre-tax or post-tax. Further, appointees may combine the loading with their substantive salary to deliver to them a remuneration package which best suits their personal circumstances provided such arrangements are consistent with University policy and relevant legislation that is in force from time to time.
15. The loading will continue to be paid during short-term periods of paid leave of less than two months, such as annual leave and personal leave.

Absences

16. Outside Studies Program credits will continue to accrue at the usual rate.
17. As a general rule, a staff member will not be absent from the University on Outside Studies during his or her term as Head of an AOU. The Director may approve absences for short periods (e.g. conference attendance).
18. Where it is anticipated that the Director will grant an extended period of OSP during the term of the headship, details of this arrangement must be specified in writing along with details of the appointment of an acting Head for approval by the College Dean. The Headship loading will cease for the duration of such extended absences.
19. As a general rule, the Head of an AOU will not be absent from the University on extended long service leave (LSL). Where an exception is granted by the Director, the arrangement will normally be specified as part of their appointment. As a general rule, the Headship loading will cease to be paid during periods of LSL, at least during the first 3 years of the term.

Appointment of an Acting Head of an AOU

20. Where a staff member is required to act as an Head of an AOU for a period in excess of twenty consecutive working days, he or she will be paid the loading (specified in para 13) on a pro rata basis for the duration of the acting arrangement. This payment is not superannuable.

Attachment A

Roles and Responsibilities of Heads of Academic Organisational Units (AOUs)

General

The role of the Head of an AOU is to contribute to the achievement of ANU goals by providing leadership to the AOU, and contributing to their discipline and to their relevant College Strategic Plan.

These responsibilities will be carried out within University policies and delegations, the Code of Conduct, and the University's statutory obligations. Specifically, this includes:

• academic leadership of the AOU including responsibility for the management, development and quality of the AOU's teaching, research and student support services;
• development and management of the AOU's academic and general staff;
• development and management of the AOU's finances and infrastructure; and
• managing and implementing change.

Strategic Direction

• developing, implementing and maintaining appropriate planning and monitoring processes;
• monitoring the academic and research training activities of the AOU, including postgraduate supervision, and the quality of information provided to students;
• communicating University-wide strategies and policies to the AOU; and
• encouraging collaboration with other relevant areas.

Academic

• establishing clear academic objectives and priorities to encourage excellence in research, education and professional activities;
• implementing high quality teaching processes including curriculum design and presentation;
• encouraging collaboration (ie inter-ANU, nationally and internationally); and
• membership of committees as appropriate.

Students

• overseeing the academic welfare and progress of students;
• facilitating postgraduate programs;
• preparing enrolment plans, promoting the University, and monitoring enrolment trends; and
• reporting on student matters.

Financial/Infrastructure

• developing budgets and ensuring cost effective use of funds;
• ensuring satisfactory provision of IT infrastructure, accommodation and facilities;
• ensuring that the AOU is a safe and healthy environment, and that risks are managed; and
• actively pursuing opportunities to increase funding outside the recurrent grant.

People Management

• managing human resources issues within the AOU, including recruitment, selection, induction, mentoring junior staff, performance management, staff development, promotion, grievances, community outreach, and consultation about change;
• ensuring appropriate allocation of staffing resources for the effective performance of the AOU's research, teaching and postgraduate training functions;
• ensuring that staff have workloads which are equitable and manageable, and which enable staff to balance their University life with their outside responsibilities and interests; and
• ensuring that the working and learning environment is safe and free from harassment, bullying and discriminatory practices.

Representational

• representing the AOU's interests, academic work, achievements and plans, in the context of the University-wide strategies and directions, at internal fora, and to industry and government, and to professional and educational communities in local and international arenas; and
• promoting the AOU to potential academics, liaising with professional accrediting bodies and maintaining links with Alumni of the ANU.

Selection Criteria

1. Capacity to provide strategic direction to the AOU, within the overall strategic direction of the University, College, Faculty, School or Centre, including implementing change
2. Demonstrated management and leadership skills to ensure the effective operation of the AOU
3. Capacity to provide academic leadership to the AOU including responsibility for the management, development and quality of the AOU's teaching, research and student support services
4. Ability to manage and enhance the development and skills of the AOU's academic and general staff
5. Ability to develop and manage the AOU's finances and infrastructure
6. Ability to enhance and develop the AOU's national and international reputation and performance in education and research