"The post as head of office is one of the most central roles for the management of the faculty operations and a necessity for a successful development of the University. The code of rules and procedures and the terms are therefore important tools in making the assignment as head of office interesting and attractive. It also increases the opportunities to recruit good candidates and give them the right opportunities to carry out strategic leadership," says Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
The code of rules and procedures is new and strategically important as the process of appointing the most suitable heads of department is one of the most important decisions the University makes. The objective of this code of rules and procedures is to create a homogeneous and structured appointment process focused on recruiting the right competence in relation to the needs of the business. The process should also be characterised by objectivity, justice and equal opportunities.
The code for instance stipulates that the election committee appointed by the dean should produce a needs analysis containing both a description of objectives and responsibilities, and that summarises the assignment and the work tasks, as well as a profile of demands describing the qualifications necessary for the assignment. Furthermore, before new elections to the posts as head of department, a forum should be set up where all employees at a department are given the opportunity to nominate their preferred candidate to the post of head of department, anonymously if they so wish. Finally, the dean's decision to appoint a head of department should be preceded by a consultation with the Vice-Chancellor.
When it comes to administrative support, it should be adapted to the situation at the various departments, as these are set up completely differently. Heads of department who enter the post for the first time, will be offered a mentor to act as support and a sounding board, as well as contribute to developing the role of the head of department.
This code of rules and procedures has derived from dialogues with faculties and union representatives.
Apart from a code of rules and procedures, revised rules for terms have been stipulated concerning the assignment as head of department, dean and pro dean.
Appendices:
Handläggningsordning för utseende av prefekter (Code of rules and procedures for the appointment of heads of department) (In Swedish)
Regel - Villkor för uppdraget som prefekt vid Umeå universitet (prefektkontrakt) (Rule – Terms for the assignment as head of department at Umeå University) (In Swedish)
Regel - Villkor för uppdraget som dekan eller prodekan vid Umeå universitet (dekankontrakt) (Rule – Terms for the assignment as dean or pro dean at Umeå University) (In Swedish)
For more information, please contact:
Daniel Andersson,
Deputy Head of Office, academy clerk at
the Planning Office