Job Opportunities - Faculty

School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dean Search
Call for Applications

 Al Akhawayn University invites applications for the position of Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.  The University seeks an individual who can best lead, coach, and engage the faculty and students in its academic and service missions.
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences started in 1995 at the time the University opened and has a number of achievements to its record.

Students: Current enrolment is 233 students.

Faculty and Staff: Of a total of 39 faculty members, 17 are international (35 full-time and 4 part-time).

Staff: A program assistant and an administrative assistant.

Alumni: As of today, 465 students have graduated from the School and have gone on to a wide range of positions in academic fields as well as in private and public sectors.

Research: Faculty members are actively engaged in a wide range of projects related directly to their disciplines and some are working with faculty from other schools in Morocco and abroad.

University Mission
Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane is an independent, public, not-for-profit, coeducational university committed to educating future citizen-leaders of Morocco and the world through a globally oriented, English-language, liberal-arts curriculum based on the American style. The University enhances Morocco and engages the world through leading-edge educational and research programs, including continuing and executive education, upholds the highest academic and ethical standards, and promotes equity and social responsibility.

University Core Philosophy
Deeply rooted in Moroccan and North-African history and civilization, the University actively promotes the values of global understanding and cooperation, and advances international higher education through its people, programs, partnerships, and civic engagement and with a continuous commitment to excellence.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences Mission
The School serves the entire University by providing all AUI students with exposure to the intellectual skills and training that are the essence of a Liberal Arts education. This is done through courses that constitute most of the University Common Core. The School also provides innovative professional degree programs in applied social sciences. The programs offered include Communication Studies, Human Resource Development and International Studies, at the undergraduate level, and a Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy in addition to two new Master degree programs in North African & Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Studies. Minors are offered in the three undergraduate degree programs plus minors in Arabic, Women’s Studies, Organizational Studies, and African Studies. The School also offers a number of special programs, including a highly successful intensive summer program in Arabic and North African Studies, now in its 13th year.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Functional Description
The Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is the principal academic and administrative officer of the School. S/he is responsible for the curricula, instructional and research activities and service projects of the School.  In addition, s/he is responsible for planning and budgeting, personnel actions, and policies and procedures to guide the work of the School in conformity with University mission and policies.

Qualifications
Required qualifications for the Dean position include an earned Ph.D., or equivalent terminal degree, in Humanities and Social Sciences. Candidates must also demonstrate important teaching, research, and creative activity in their discipline appropriate for an appointment as Full or Associate Professor as well as academic administrative experience at a school or department level.

Desirable qualifications include:

• Evidence of effective planning and decision-making;
• A collegial and transparent leadership;
• Excellent communications skills and ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and faculty in English and Arabic and/or French;
• A commitment to academic excellence in areas such as faculty scholarship, graduate and undergraduate research opportunities, creative activities and extended programs.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
The major duties and responsibilities of the Dean, as the principal academic officer of the School, are:

• Provide leadership and vision to the School, work with faculty and staff to create a supportive environment conducive to scholarship, intellectual vitality, and learning;
• Work with the Vice President for Academic Affairs to implement University strategic plan and continue to improve quality in the School;
• Work with the faculty of the School to devise, implement, maintain, and evaluate undergraduate and graduate curricula appropriate to the mission of the School and vision of the University;
• Ensure high quality teaching in the School;
• Work with faculty to recruit and recommend for appointment the faculty members required to fulfill the mission of the School;
• Launch and develop academic, business, and organization connections;
• Lead international school program accreditation or validation;
• Encourage and support the research and creative activities of the School faculty;
• Work with the research entities of the University to ensure the integration of research activities and graduate education;
• Represent the faculty in their relationships with the University administration and other schools and centers;
• Work with the faculty and the Vice President for Academic Affairs to recommend policies and procedures for admission of graduate students;
• Prepare and recommend the annual budget of the School;
• Allocate building and facility space to the particular functions of the School;
• Prepare semester and annual reports of all the activities of the School.

Reporting Line
The Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Span of Control
Reporting to the Dean of the School are:

• Academic Coordinators
• Faculty
• Assistant to the Dean
• Program Assistant

THE SEARCH PROCESS
Screening will begin mid- February 2012 and will continue until selection is made.  Short-listed candidates will be invited for interview with the Committee.

The successful candidate will need to take the position starting June 1, 2012.

Applicants should provide the following:
1.   A curriculum vitae;
2.   A detailed letter presenting the candidate’s qualifications;
3.   A general development project for the School;
4.   Two letters of recommendation.

Applications to be sent to:

Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
SHSS Dean Search Committee
Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane
P.O. Box 104, Ifrane 53000, Morocco
Tel: +212-535 862 024; Fax: +212-535 567 146
E-mail: vpaa@aui.ma