Staff Positions in the Division of Academic Affairs and Student Success

1. Manager of Department of Student Life (https://employment.aurak.ac.ae/JobVacancies/Details/?id=288) 

Job Summary:

The Office of Student Success at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah is seeking an experienced higher education professional for the position of Manager of the Department of Student Life.  The Manager of Student Life reports directly to the Assistant Provost for Student Success and is responsible for creating and supporting a high-quality student life experience for all students at AURAK. The Manager of Student Life creates, implements, and facilitates opportunities for co-curricular learning and student leadership development, as well as promotes proactive retention activities and student engagement.  As the supervisor of the Student Life Department, the Student Life Manager oversee the work of the Senior Student Success Officer, the Student Life Officer for Sports, the Program Specialist for Academic Recovery and Counseling, and a Secretary.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

This position is responsible for the development and implementation of on-campus and off-campus AURAK student life programming for all students, and for EDRAK residence hall programming.   He/she creates, develops, markets, and assesses student programming and initiatives that promote high-quality student life experiences and holistic well-being. The Manager successfully coordinates all functions of the Department of Student Life and provides oversight and planning for all campus-wide signature student events and programs such as Global Day, UAE Day, Flag Day, New Student Orientation, and First-Year Student Welcome Party.  This person also creates and develops other signature programs as appropriate and markets and promotes all activities to students, faculty and staff. Student discipline and responding to and resolving student concerns and complaints also falls within the scope of this position. Creating graphics and marketing student programs and activities on social media to reach students in the most current and effective manner is a required element of the marketing efforts for student programs and activities, and this position has oversight and management of Student Success social media accounts. Further, due to the large number of programs and activities, the Manager coordinates a rolling schedule of adult chaperones for all trips and programs.  both on and off campus. To assure safety and consistency, the Manager serves as chaperone both off and on campus more often than any other staff person.  These and other responsibilities of the position require frequent work on the weekend and in the evening.

Qualities and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to produce results while working in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment with minimal direction.
• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to higher education, student affairs, student leadership development, and student well-being.
• Excellent customer service skills, along with strong planning and organizational skills, accompanied by attention to detail, demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems.  
• Ability to deliver excellent written and oral reports in English, with a high level of English proficiency. Fluency in Arabic is desirable. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Education, student counseling or a closely related field, with Masters in Student Affairs or Higher Education preferred.

Work Experience:

• Three years of experience in student activities planning or programming for students, preferably in North America, or in the UAE in a university following the North American model.

Description of AURAK:

 The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is a public non-profit, independent, coeducation institution of higher education which delivers an integrated American-style, undergraduate and graduate education with a strong focus on the local indigenous culture.  All programs are accredited by the Ministry of Education of the UAE. In addition, AURAK has recently achieved accreditation with the U.S. regional accreditation association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The American model of higher education ensures not only the acquisition of knowledge and skills in specific academic fields, but also a general education curriculum that exposes students to new ideas and ways of thinking critically about local and global issues. The multicultural student body at AURAK offers candidates the opportunity to teach and conduct research in one of the most diverse countries in the world. AURAK is located in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the Northern Emirates and a rapidly growing region.  The beauty of Ras Al Khaimah is reflected in its traditions and diverse landscapes — its white sandy beaches, the majestic Hajjar Mountains, the expansive desert and its sands dunes, and the many historical sites.  For more information about the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), please visit: http://www.aurak.ac.ae

 Application:

Applicants for the position should submit a cover letter detailing how their experiences and qualifications are aligned with the requirements of the position, along with a current résumé that contains the contact information for three professional references.  Applications should be submitted online.

2. Program Specialist - Academic Recovery Programs and Counseling (https://employment.aurak.ac.ae/JobVacancies/Details/?id=274) 

General information about institution

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is an independent co-education institution of Higher Education that provides an integrated American-style, undergraduate and graduate education. All programs are accredited by the Ministry of Education of the UAE; additionally, it is accredited by the U.S. regional accreditation association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The American model of higher education ensures not only skills in specific academic fields, but also a general education curriculum that exposes students to new ideas and ways of thinking critically about local and global issues. The multicultural student body at AURAK offers candidates the opportunity to teach and conduct research in one of the most diverse countries in the world. AURAK is a young and rapidly growing university.  AURAK is located in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the Northern Emirates and a rapidly growing region.  The beauty of Ras Al Khaimah is reflected in its traditions and diverse landscapes — its white sandy beaches, the majestic Hajjar Mountains, the expansive desert and its sands dunes, and the many historical sites.

Job Purpose

The position will occupy a variety of roles overseeing student support initiatives and student well-being including, but not limited to, 1) monitoring students placed on academic sanction as assigned, 2) acting as an advocate for students who require academic or non-academic accommodations, 3) securing counseling and support services for students facing documented difficulties- professional and/or private and 4) maintaining a student friendly and student accessible environment to encourage utilization of services.

Job Responsibilities

• Monitoring students placed on academic sanction.
• Acting as an advocate for students who require academic or non-academic accommodations.
• Securing counseling and support services for students facing documented personal or professional difficulties.
• Maintaining a student friendly and student accessible environment to encourage utilization of services.

Minimum Qualification and Education

Master’s degree in psychology, education, or related discipline

Professional/Vocational

Essential: Able to operate independently

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Experience with confidentiality requirements.
• Advanced computer skills (specifically Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. & Publisher).
• Ability to build positive and effective relationships across the campus with students, faculty & staff.
• Independent thinking and problem solving requiring minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong commitment to diversity.
• Experience working in multicultural and multinational environments.
• Able to complete tasks efficiently in a self-supervised environment.
• Independent problem solver.

Work Experience

Two years of experience in the field of student support services.

Language proficiency required

Proficient in written and spoken English.

Competencies

• Service Excellence-
• Professional Ethics and Integrity-
• Problem-solving-
• Time Management-
• Teamwork-

Reporting line

Associate Provost – Office of Enrollment Management

Required documents

Applications must include:

• Current resume that contains names and contact information for at least three professional references
• Cover letter detailing experiences and qualifications that are aligned with the requirements for the position
• Unofficial copies of transcripts of university coursework completed.