JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Dean of Academic Affairs
Employment Status: Full-time
Base: Ideally in Southeast Asia
Start Date: July 1, 2026
BACKGROUND
Parami University is an
online university licensed in Washington DC, offering associate and bachelor’s degrees. It was first established as Parami Institute in 2017
in Burma (Myanmar) to provide high-quality continuing education programs to Burmese youth. Later, the institution was expanded to establish
a residential liberal arts and sciences university in Hmawbi, Yangon, Burma. However, the plans to build a physical campus have been
postponed due to the political instabilities caused by the 2021 Burmese military coup. In June 2022, Parami University was incorporated in
Washington, DC, and licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission, a regulatory authority of the government of Washington, DC. Even
though the University has become a US institution, its primary target student populations are based in Southeast Asian countries,
particularly Burma.
The University currently operates two institutes: the Parami Institute of Undergraduate Studies (PIUS) and the
Parami Institute of Continuing Education (PICE). PIUS currently offers Associate in Arts (AA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in three
interdisciplinary majors: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE); Statistics, and Data Science (SDS); Environmental and Sustainability
Studies (ESS); and Public Health (PH). All the undergraduate degrees are dually awarded by Parami University and Bard College, a liberal
arts college in upstate New York. Parami also offers non-credit bearing courses through PICE, based on demand and availability of faculty
and resources to support the learning of the youth in Burma. The courses offered by PICE range from synchronous courses such as English for
Academic Purposes, Machine Learning, and Data Science; and asynchronous courses such as Google Professional Certificate courses and DataCamp
courses.
Parami University is seeking a Dean of Academic Affairs to represent the University, to provide academic
leadership of the university, and to oversee the operation of both institutes. Within PIUS, the Dean will work closely with the Division
Chairs to manage the undergraduate degree courses, to maintain the required academic staff, to implement necessary academic policies and
procedures, and to ensure quality assurance leading to accreditation of the university. Within PICE, the Dean will advise its Director and
staff to provide academic direction of the courses.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
The Dean oversees all faculty at
Parami, who are dedicated teachers in their respective disciplines, eager to share knowledge in a student-centered way, particularly to
students in developing countries. Teaching currently takes place online using state-of-the-art Canvas learning management system
(LMS), and other educational technology tools, informed by Parami’s educational theory and practice. Because Parami University was created
to educate students in protracted crises and developing countries such as Burma, faculty at Parami must actively apply empathy in their
teaching, and the Dean must provide leadership over all academic-related affairs of the University.
1. The Dean of Academic Affairs
is responsible for leading the academic operation of the University. This key task of 0.75 FTE consists of, but not limited to, the
following responsibilities:
• Help set the academic culture of Parami University in line with the vision and mission of the
University;
• Speak on behalf of Parami University regarding its academic policies and recommendations;
• Manage the
Academic Department;
• Demonstrate academic and intellectual leadership;
• Represent Parami University both internally and
externally;
• Work with the Division Chairs to plan out courses to be offered every semester;
• Direct faculty recruitment
by forming appropriate faculty search committees and leading the search;
• Oversee program and course evaluation to improve the
quality of teaching at the University;
• Work with other members of the university to ensure quality assurance and subsequent
accreditation;
• Collaborate with the Admissions team to promote student recruitment from time to time;
• Collaborate with
the Student Affairs team to maximize student retention;
• Develop new academic programs as necessary; and
• Work on
academic-related tasks as delegated by the President.
2. The Dean is expected to teach only one course per semester (i.e. two
courses a year). This key task of 0.25 FTE consists of the following responsibilities:
• Develop course syllabi following
Parami’s guidelines and in consultation with the respective Chair;
• Prepare and teach courses using designated Parami software and
tools, e.g. Canvas learning management system, Zoom, etc.;
• Perform student assessment and evaluation;
• Incorporate feedback from peer and student feedback actively in future courses; and
• Work with the Student Affairs team to
maximize student retention.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
• Ph.D. in any field
• At least 5 years of
curriculum and program development experience
• At least 3 years of having managed at least three team members
• Fluency
in English
• Online teaching experience
• Experience in a liberal arts and sciences administration, curriculum, and
pedagogy
POSITION PREFERENCES
• A doctoral degree in the field of curriculum and instruction
• Experience working with students in Southeast Asia and/or other developing countries
• Having received a Bachelor’s degree from a
university or college that features liberal arts and sciences curriculum and pedagogy
IDEAL TRAITS FOR THE POSITION
• Be able to multi-task;
• Be able to withstand pressure;
• Be able to solve problems quickly;
• Be
able to communicate effectively and spontaneously with the University Management members;
• Be able to identify, initiate, and
assume responsibilities related to academic affairs;
• Be able to respond to emergencies promptly; and
• Be able to think
outside of the box.
POSITION REMUNERATION
As Parami University focuses on students in Southeast Asia (SEA), we
are preferentially looking for an individual who can be based in SEA. Our remuneration packages are thus commensurate with compensation
levels typically received by those living and working in SEA countries such as Thailand, not those typically received in developed countries
like the United States. Parami University will provide logistical support to secure a Thai visa. Although we would preferentially look for
those who are already in SEA or are willing to relocate to SEA, the Dean of Academic Affairs can be based anywhere, so long as they are
flexible to work with those working in and around the Indochina time zone.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Please submit the
following materials in a single PDF file, addressed to the Search Committee at
[email protected], with the subject line ‘Application for Dean of Academic Affairs’:
• Single-page cover letter, detailing how your skills and experience can contribute to the management and leadership role required by the Dean
of Academic Affairs;
• CV/resume;
• A sample syllabus; and
• Contact information of two professional references
(phone numbers and emails).
Apply by March 31, 2026.
Job interviews are expected to be held in April and
May 2026.