SL405472-Winter 2027-RPD*6291 Rural Development Administration

Sessional Lecturer Work Assignment
Sessional Lecturer, Unit 2
Academic Unit: 
School of Env. Design and Rural Dev.
Semester(s) of Assignment(s): 
Winter 2027
Number of Available Work Assignment(s) / Sections: 
1
Level of Work Assignment(s): 
1
Right of First Refusal (RoFR)
A Sessional Lecturer holds a RoFR (i.e., for a particular course) if they have successfully taught the course in the past six (6) semesters. A SL who holds a RoFR to this course is required to exercise their right by way of the online hiring system. Also see: What is Right of First Refusal (RoFR)?
A Sessional Lecturer Currently Holds a Right of First Refusal for this Course: 
No
Course Details
Course Number: 
RPD*6291
Course Name: 
Rural Development Administration
Course Format: 
In-Class
Course Description: 
See Course Calendar
Other Course Description or Assignment Information: 
This course examines the institutional and organizational dimensions of rural development administration, with particular attention to the governance and administration of rural development in less-developed countries. It explores how institutions, organizations, and their interactions shape rural development processes, including policy design, planning, program implementation, and service delivery. The course considers a range of organizational actors involved in rural development, including national, provincial, municipal, and local government agencies; non-governmental organizations (NGOs); producer and user associations; cooperatives; community-based and traditional organizations; private-sector firms; social enterprises; social movements; and representatives of international development agencies. Through comparative case studies and applied exercises, students will examine organizational structures, institutional arrangements, inter-organizational relationships, and administrative practices at national, subnational, and local levels. Delivered in an in-person seminar format, the course emphasizes critical discussion, collaborative learning, and the application of administrative and planning tools to rural development challenges. Students will participate in group activities, complete assignments on topics approved by the instructor, and present a case study approved by the instructor.
Projected Class Enrolment: 
15
Anticipated Duties and Responsibilities
Anticipated Duties and Responsibilities: 
Orientation-Training
Office Hours
Preparation
Student Consultation
Lecturing
Email Correspondence/Monitoring
Conducting Labs/Seminars
Grading
Other Duties Described: 
The successful candidate will prepare and deliver seminar-based course sessions, develop and adapt instructional materials, facilitate class discussions and group activities, and guide students in analyzing rural development institutions, organizations, policies, and administrative practices. Responsibilities will include developing applied exercises and case studies, supporting students in the preparation of assignments and case-study presentations, providing consultation and feedback, evaluating student work, and supporting regular communication with students. The instructor will also ensure that course content reflects relevant theoretical perspectives, current research, and practical experiences in rural development administration.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Degree: 
PhD and expert in course content
Other
A relevant professional designation or additional qualification in rural development, public administration, development studies, planning, or a related discipline may be considered an asset.
Prior Teaching Experience: 
Successful teaching related to field at college or university level
Required competence, capability, skill and ability related to course content: 
The successful candidate must demonstrate: - Strong knowledge of rural development administration, institutional analysis, organizational theory, and rural development policy and practice. - An understanding of the roles, structures, and interactions of public-sector institutions, non-governmental organizations, cooperatives, community-based organizations, and other actors involved in rural development. - The ability to critically examine institutional arrangements and organizational processes influencing rural development planning, governance, policy implementation, and program delivery. - Knowledge of administrative planning tools and their application to rural development programs and projects. - The ability to connect theoretical concepts with practical examples and case studies, particularly in the context of less-developed countries. - Strong teaching, communication, and facilitation skills, including the ability to lead seminar discussions, support collaborative learning, and engage students in critical analysis. - The ability to design and evaluate assignments, facilitate student presentations, provide constructive feedback, and assess student learning fairly and effectively. - Strong organizational skills and the ability to prepare instructional materials, manage course activities, and communicate effectively with students.
Preferred Qualifications
Degree: 
PhD related to field
PhD and expert in course content
Other
Additional qualifications in rural development, development studies, public administration, political science, planning,
Prior Teaching Experience: 
Successful teaching related to field at college or university level.
Many years of successful teaching related to contents of the course.
Research Experience: 
Quality and or Recent Research activity in related field demonstrating knowledge of current developments in course content.
Quality and or Recent Research activity in areas relevant to the course demonstrating knowledge of current developments in course content.
Specific Preferred competence, capability, skill and ability related to course content: 
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate research, teaching, and/or professional experience in one or more of the following areas: - Rural development policy, governance, and administration, particularly in less-developed countries. - Institutional and organizational analysis, including the relationships among government agencies, civil society organizations, cooperatives, community-based organizations, and private-sector actors. - Decentralization, local governance, participatory development, and inter-organizational collaboration. - Rural development planning and the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies, programs, and projects. - Administrative planning tools and applied approaches to organizational and institutional assessment. - Comparative case-study research and the ability to translate research findings into accessible teaching materials and practical learning activities. - Experience facilitating interactive seminars, experiential learning, group exercises, and student presentations. - Research or professional engagement in international development, rural livelihoods, agricultural and community development, or related fields. Candidates with experience integrating current research, comparative case studies, and applied analytical tools into university-level teaching will be particularly well suited to the course.
Days Required and Wages
Days and Times Required: 
T 11:30 AM - 2:20 PM
Period of the Work Agreement (Start Date and End Date): 
January 7, 2027 to May 7, 2027
Wages (per semester, per full-load): 
minimum $8,838.51 (effective 2025/26)
Other Posting Information
Application Deadline (All postings will automatically expire at 11:59 pm on this day): 
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Posting Email Contact: 
edrdpost@uoguelph.ca
Hiring Contact Information: 
Kaitlin Milley - Administrative Officer, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development - Email: sedrdadmin@uoguelph.ca

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. For more information, the Office of Diversity and Human Rights (DHR) is a welcoming, safe and confidential one-stop shop for information, training and support on issues relating to diversity and human rights on our campus.
SL work assignments are unionized with CUPE3913 and their terms and conditions of work are covered by the Unit 2 Collective Agreement between the University and CUPE 3913 (email contact: president@cupe3913.on.ca).

All applicants must be eligible to work in Canada specifically at the University of Guelph before applying for an academic work assignment. All successful applicants must perform their work in Ontario and must be able to attend on-campus in-person meetings as required.