British Institute in Eastern Africa
Assistant Director
Applications are invited for this full time post to be based in
Nairobi on a 2 year contract from 1 October 2012.
The British Institute in Eastern Africa has been active since
1960 and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
It has a strong tradition of research in anthropology,
archaeology, history and linguistics, and recent projects have embraced
political, environmental and development studies, geography, public health, and
art and performance. Its renovated research centre provides work space and accommodation
for researchers and visiting academics, an excellent reference library and
seminar / lecture facilities.
The Institute offers financial support and logistical assistance
to research projects, and runs a graduate attachment scheme.
The Institute publishes the journal Azania: A Journal of African
Archaeology, a leading archaeological periodical for the region, [four issues
per year] and the Journal of Eastern African Studies [four issues per year].
Both are produced in conjunction with Taylor and Francis.
The Institute is sponsored by the British Academy and has its
London office at their headquarters in Carlton House Terrace. It is a company
limited by guarantee, not having a share capital, and is a registered charity.
It is governed by its Council, which is based in London and is elected by its
members.
The post holder will play a key role in continuing to transform the BIEA into an internationally recognised British Academy centre for research excellence in African studies.
S/he would be responsible for
- Pursuing
his/her own research in areas of current strategic importance to the BIEA.
This would strengthen the core team of full-time researchers at the BIEA
whose work contributes innovative and policy-relevant scholarship in the
humanities and social sciences as they concern East Africa in particular
and Africa more generally. The Institute is keen to develop pioneering
research of strategic importance and open up new research themes. It would
like to intensify its research engagement across Eastern Africa, to
include areas such as South Sudan, as well as extending its geographical
range to include west and southern Africa.
- Supporting
graduate trainees and researchers at the Institute. The BIEA runs a
graduate attachment scheme and offers research funding to individual
researchers. The Assistant Director would be involved in organizing
programmes and activities for the graduate attachees, as well as assisting
researchers make solid academic contacts in the region.
- Organising
BIEA stands at international conferences. This will assist the Institute
in deepening its connections with UK and international academic
institutions and raise the BIEA’s profile in Britain through frequent
participation in workshops and seminars in the UK, as well as through an
extended range of individual links and collaborations.
- Organising
BIEA’s Nairobi seminars and workshops. These regular events are well
attended by wide range of local academics and interested individuals
- Developing
the BIEA’s online strategy and ensuring that our website contains
up-to-date information and recent seminar/lecture Working Papers and that
podcasts reach a wide audience
- Deputising
for the Director.
The Assistant would be expected to make a major contribution to
the administration of the Institute and to take responsibility for much of the
day to day running.
S/he would be expected to stand in for the Director in her
absence
The successful candidate must possess a doctorate.
Applications will be considered by candidates whose doctoral
thesis has been submitted and who expect to have the viva voce examination on
or before 1 April 2013, subject to supervisor’s reference.
S/he should demonstrate a commitment to research in any of the
subject areas of interest to the BIEA, including anthropology, archaeology,
heritage studies, history, law, political science and public health, preferably
in eastern Africa.
S/he should be able to demonstrate the potential to publish
their research work to international standards of excellence.
Administrative experience and good IT skills are
essential.
It would also be useful for the candidate to have a knowledge of
the UK and / or eastern Africa academic research environment.
A full driving licence is essential.
Terms and Conditions
The post holder will be expected to reside in Nairobi and will
be based at the BIEA headquarters there.
Salary package is negotiable, but will be in line with
university pay scales for an early career position.
Membership of a contributory pension scheme will be
available.
The BIEA will cover medical and travel insurance for the post
holder.
Application process
Please apply by sending
1. A covering letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. A statement of interest. This should be one sheet of A4 and
should state clearly why you are interested in the post, how you see your
research interests fitting with the research strategy of the Institute and
explain why you consider yourself suited to the role
4. The names, addresses, email addresses and contact telephone
number of TWO referees. References will be taken up if you are offered an
interview, but you should let your referees know that the BIEA may contact them
In the first instance please email the above to post@biea.ac.uk
and then send a hard copy to:
Ms Jane Gillespie
London Secretary
British Institute in Eastern Africa
10 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AH
London Secretary
British Institute in Eastern Africa
10 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AH
All email applications must be received by 6.00 PM [UK time]
MONDAY 25 JUNE 2012 and hard copies by MONDAY 2 JULY 2012.
Short listed candidates will be invited for interview by Tuesday
10 July 2012 and all candidates will be notified that week.
Interviews will be held in London on Monday 16 July 2012
Interviews will be held in London on Monday 16 July 2012
Our Director, Dr Ambreena Manji, would be pleased to answer any
informal requests for information.
Please email her on
post@biea.ac.uk