Harvard Law School, Islamic Legal Studies
Deputy Director
Institution Type: | College / University |
Location: | Massachusetts, United States |
Position: | Director |
Duties & Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Faculty Director(s) of the Harvard Law School Islamic Legal Studies Program (ILSP), the Deputy Director is operationally responsible for ILSP’s consistent achievement of its mission, stakeholder engagement, and financial objectives to promote quality and growth of ILSP staff, fellows, and programs. ILSP’s mission is to be the leading center for the study of Islamic law and legal history, to promote the comparative and interdisciplinary study of Islamic law and society among students and faculty, and to collect and disseminate scholarly resources to facilitate academic study and public engagement on issues of Islamic law and policy.
The Deputy Director is responsible for overall strategic, programmatic, financial and personnel management of ILSP and its related initiatives in three areas: academic programming and resource development for scholarly initiatives, communications and administration for internal and staffing operations, and fundraising and finance management for budgetary health and growth.
The Deputy Director will be responsible for activities principally in three areas:
• Academic programming and resource development responsibilities include execution of Program activities defined by the strategic plan and Faculty Director(s); academic project management—including construction and management of international database of scholarly resources for Islamic law and other defined projects; delivery of first-class research and administrative infrastructure to support Program faculty, staff and fellows, as well as oversight and development of academic fellows and students and other affiliates. Specific duties include the following:
1) Assure, in conjunction with the faculty director(s), that ILSP has a long-range strategy that achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
2) Ensure the execution of the Program priorities, including oversight and development with the fellows’ program, and with students and other Program affiliates, both for projects related to defined research streams, and new programming, as relevant.
3) Construct and manage online scholarly database for resources on Islamic law, which involves familiarity with or ability to learn online software development, database management, and cloud computing; as well as working with and managing collaborative relationships domestically and abroad.
4) Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with Faculty Director(s) and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the Faculty Director(s).
5) Without specializing in the field, maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of Islamic legal studies.
• Communications and administration responsibilities include fostering internal and external relationships and collaborations and increasing stakeholder engagement in the Harvard Law School and University communities as well as among external partners; directing institutional and public relations and communications—including communicating and monitoring ILSP generated content to internal and external partners; planning and delegating work effectively; developing long- and short-range performance expectations for staff; and ensuring compliance with Harvard and ILSP policies and procedures. Specific duties include the following:
Internal and External Communications
1) See that the Faculty Director(s) is/are kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it weekly, or as necessary.
2) Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals through ordinary channels, including a website, email, social media outlets, and a regular e-newsletter.
3) Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with relevant departments or centers at HLS, Harvard University, sister organizations at other law schools or universities, and with relevant community groups and organizations (including sponsors, participants, speakers, and partners).
4) Represent the Program and its mission or point of view to academic partners, other organizations, and the general public—including through maintaining a blog, helping to write op-eds, and speeches.
5) Under the direction of the Faculty Director(s), conduct official correspondence of the organization.
Staff Administration:
1) Promote active and broad participation by fellows, students, and the Law School and University community in all areas of the organization's work.
2) Assist the Faculty Director(s) in the hiring of fellows (yearly) and staff (as needed), including both paid staff and volunteers and students.
3) Ensure, in consultation with the Faculty Director(s), that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
4) Encourage fellows, staff, and student volunteer development and education, and assist each in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization.
5) Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.
• Fundraising and finance management responsibilities include oversight over the day-to-day operations and all administrative and financial activities, fundraising and grant-writing, and tracking the budget for all events and projects.
1) Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices.
2) Work with the Faculty Director(s), the HLS Office of Finance, and paid staff in preparing a budget; see that the organization operates within budget guidelines.
3) Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work, including fundraising, grant-writing and other development efforts.
4) Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with Law School, University, and federal, state and local regulations.
Performs other duties as necessary.
Basic Qualifications
A JD or other advanced degree and 5+ years of progressive financial, administrative, and supervisory experience are required. A successful candidate will almost certainly have an advanced degree in law and/or business, Middle Eastern studies, political science, sociology, history or a related discipline.
Additional Qualifications
The successful candidate must have high-level leadership, management and organizational skills; experience successfully managing a department or office staff; excellent interpersonal and communications skills; superior writing and communications ability—including the ability to communicate with legal academic, humanities, legal practitioner, media, policy, and generalist audiences; ability to execute fundraising and grant-writing as well as budget management and book-keeping; dexterity with or ability to gain dexterity with internet communications and technology, including social media and online platforms for communications and database and resource management.
The applicant should have familiarity with both the worlds of research and practice. The applicant should also be able to: identify the resources, procedures and systems need to achieve general goals; develop, implement and revise plans; prioritize work and resources based on strategic objectives in an intense work environment; serve as both leader and team member and as a role model for other members of the staff while working with them to achieve organizational goals; facilitate program staff’s delivery of specialized programs in an integrated manner; and encourage staff development. Knowledge of webpage management and graphic design are instrumental for the Program’s scholarly resource and collaboration, marketing and communications needs. Relational database management for effective organization of large number of electronic files. Ability to learn new programs and use them to advance the programs, productivity and visibility of the Program. Desired, but not essential, qualifications include advanced degree in Middle Eastern or Islamic Studies; familiarity with Islamic law and Muslim cultures; working knowledge of Arabic; demonstrated ability to operate in international contexts and with international partners; in depth- understanding of or background at a university, law school, or equivalent academic environment.
Additional Information
This is a term appointment currently expected to extend through 6/30/15, subject to funding and departmental need, with the possibility of subsequent renewal.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
Contact: |
TO APPLY: Per government compliance regulations, all interested candidates must apply through the Harvard University website. Please use the following link to be redirected to the job page: http://bit.ly/1bjKdA7 |
Website: | None |
Primary Category: | None |
Secondary Categories: | None |
Posting Date: | 11/18/2013 |
Closing Date | 02/16/2014 |