Department

HUM Staff: Middle Eastern Studies Administration

About the Department

Founded in 1892, the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, with over forty faculty and lecturers, is one of the largest such departments in the country. The Department’s distinguished faculty offer cutting-edge interdisciplinary perspectives on the lands of the Near and Middle East. We teach more than twenty ancient and modern languages, as well as topics in archaeology, history, and literature. The research and teaching interests of scholars in MES range over this historically central and geopolitically significant region from the Chalcolithic era to the present day.

Job Summary

Working under the direction of the Middle Eastern Studies (MES) Department Chair and Department Administrator, and in close partnership with leadership in the Institute for the Study of Ancient Culture (ISAC) and Center for Middle Easter Studies (CMES), the Academic Affairs Administrator manages all academic searches, appointments, and reviews for faculty and OAAs with primary appointments either in MES or ISAC and shared appointment in CMES. The Academic Affairs Administrator works closely with Humanities Division and the Humanities Collegiate Division to understand and communicate current appointment and review procedures and policies, and for ensuring that MES and ISAC searches, appointments, and reviews are conducted in accordance with current procedures and policies. The Administrator also assists MES in annual curricular planning activities and provides ongoing support of faculty requests and concerns related to office space, technology needs, and supplies.

Candidates must upload all required documents (resume, cover letter, and references) to be considered.

Responsibilities

Develops a deep understanding of MES and ISAC and communicates academic affairs priorities and standards while routinely assessing workflow and best practices. Recommends and implements enhancements and improvements.Serves as the academic affairs point person for MES and ISAC and liaises between program leadership, division personnel, University partners, and external stakeholders to perform responsibilities.Manages MES, ISAC, shared appointments in CMES faculty, OAA, visiting faculty, part-time lecturers, visiting scholars, and post-doctoral fellow’s appointments.Maintains current knowledge of policies related to academic appointments, reviews, and searches and ensures compliance with such policies.Facilitates recruitment of and integrates new faculty and visitors to ISAC and MES. Oversees all academic searches for MES, ISAC, and shared appointments in CMES for faculty and OAAs including orienting search committees to proper procedure, drafting search plans, advertising position in appropriate venues, communicating with applicants, managing applications in Interfolio, organizing interviews and campus visits, and properly documenting all aspects of the process for reporting purposes.Manages all appointment, review, and promotion cases for ladder faculty with primary appointments in MES and/or ISAC, and with secondary appointments in CMES or in other units, working within established policy and procedures to ensure the integrity of the process.Provides onboarding support to MES and/or ISAC faculty including GEMS set-up and reimbursement process. Fields questions about University or department policies, assists faculty with University systems, such as faculty access, canvas, etc.Coordinates communication between MES, ISAC, and those with secondary appointments in CMES on matters related to academic affairs and curricular planning.Monitors and supports faculty mentorship and development programs in collaboration with the Chair.Oversees annual report process for faculty and OAAs in MES and ISAC and assists with reporting.Working with appropriate faculty supervisors, manages annual reviews, reappointment, and promotion cases of MES and ISAC OAAs; includes serving as the liaison between the department, the Humanities Division and the College to ensure adherence to all deadlines and requirements of the process.Works with relevant campus offices to facilitate visa requests and renewals for MES and ISAC faculty and OAAs.Develops and annually updates MES and ISAC faculty handbooks with academic affairs related policies and information.Proactively identifies opportunities to support MES and ISAC goals and objectives by aligning academic affairs efforts with each unit’s vision.Facilitates a collaborative environment between ISAC and MES. Acts as a trusted advisor, offering academic affairs related insights and solutions that support MES and ISAC objectives.Works closely with the MES Department Administration in annual curricular planning activities by reviewing teaching plans to ensure that assignments for all MES faculty and OAAs adhere to contractually stipulated duties; provides suggestions for process improvements in curricular planning; assists in developing reports on enrollment; may attend curriculum committee meetings.Assists MES in annual curricular planning activities and provides ongoing support of faculty requests and concerns related to office space, technology needs, and supplies.Serves as point person for onboarding MES faculty and visitors including coordinating office space assignments and technology needs.Provides support for MES faculty leave request process.Provides administrative support for faculty committees; serves on staff committees as needed.Assists with managing the day-to-day operations of faculty affair programs with a moderate level of guidance.Serves as a resource for program information. Resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.Gathers and analyzes data for possible solutions for faculty-related issues. Writes reports and expands knowledge and experience in areas.May process job postings for faculty and other academic appointments.Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Advanced degree.

Experience:

Administrative work in higher education environment.Project management.Operations management.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Proficiency with MS Office.Database experience.Proficient in Interfolio or other University systems.

Preferred Competencies

Work independently and in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Manage confidential and highly sensitive information.Exceptional organizational and analytical skills. 

Working Conditions

Hybrid schedule available, on campus and remote work.Office environment.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)Letter of Interest in this position (required)References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

​
FLSA Status

Exempt

​
Pay Range

$58,000.00 - $68,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.