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The American Institute of Maghrib Studies (AIMS) seeks a Resident Director for the Centre d’études maghrébines à Tunis (CEMAT), its Overseas Research Center in Tunisia.

The Director’s academic and cultural responsibilities include:

• Facilitating American research and scholarship in Tunisia, including advising prospective grant applicants, conducting periodic meetings of affiliated scholars and other scholarly events, and preparing a newsletter;
• Providing support and encouragement to scholars of other nationalities conducting research and scholarly projects in Tunisia, especially scholars from the Maghrib;
• Assisting study abroad programs in Tunisia including contract services to SIT Study Abroad;
• Managing and extending the CEMAT Library book and thesis collection and other information resources;
• Developing and promoting relations between Tunisian and American scholars, particularly through collaborative and exchange programs;
• Cultivating a strong working relationship with the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Technology;
• Maintaining good relations with Tunisian institutions of higher education, with institutes and centers of scholarly endeavor of all kinds located in Tunisia, and with institutes and centers abroad which deal with Tunisia;
• Assuring the flow of information between and among agencies whose missions intersect with CEMAT, such as AIMS and its other Overseas centers (the Tangier American Legation Museum Society, TALIM; and the Centre d’études maghrébines en Algérie, CEMA), the Council of American Overseas Research Organizations (CAORC), Fulbright, and the Middle East Research Competition (MERC) and the Centre d’Etudes de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (CERES) in Tunis;
• Cooperating with the American Embassy in Tunisia, and particularly with its Office of Public Affairs, regarding such programs of mutual interest as Fulbright, the Middle East Program Initiative (MEPI), and the Critical Language Initiative of the Department of State.

The Director’s administrative responsibilities include:

• Managing the CEMAT budget and financial procedures;
• Supervising the good maintenance of the CEMAT building; Determining and directing the work of CEMAT employees and, as appropriate, promoting their professional development;
• Organizing and overseeing a summer intensive Arabic study program under the President’s Critical Language Initiative; and
• Organizing periodic conferences and seminars for Fulbright scholars in the MENA region.

Candidates should have a proven record of previous residence and experience (academic, diplomatic, or business) in North Africa. Fluency in Arabic and/or French (preferably both) is essential. Candidates should also be fully conversant with the institutions and practices of the American academic community. Remuneration is appropriate to experience, to a maximum of $55,000/year plus possible supplements. The position has Tunisian and possible U.S. income tax exemption, shipping and medical benefits, travel to and from Tunisia, and attendance at the annual MESA meeting. The appointment takes effect on 1 September 2009. The initial period of employment will be two years, with a review of performance late in the first year. An extension of the appointment beyond the second year is possible with the mutual agreement of both parties. Priority will be given to U.S. citizens.

A letter of application in which candidates are invited to outline their interest in the position, a curriculum vitae, and the names of three references should be sent to:

Kerry Adams, AIMS Executive Director
AIMS at Center for Middle Eastern Studies
845 North Park Avenue, Rm 477
University of Arizona;Tucson, AZ 85721-0185
520-626-6498;520-621-9257 (fax)
aimscmes@email.arizona.edu
E-mail applications are preferable.

Deadline for the receipt of applications is November 10.
Invited interviews for this position will be held at the Middle East Studies Association annual meeting in Washington, D.C., November 22-25, 2008.