Senior Program Manager, Council on African Studies

Position Focus:

 

The position reports to the Program Director for the Council on African Studies and Council on Middle East Studies.  This position will have a primary focus on African Studies and will be responsible for supporting the Council on African Studies’ many programs and events, as well as supporting key faculty in building out the council’s strategy.  Serve as a Council resource to support student, alumni, and global partner engagement efforts including developing networks, identifying and managing funding opportunities including grants.  

Communicate effectively and maintain strong connections for Yale with contacts at institutions with networks. Support academic writing and draft proceedings and written content from large conferences. Ensure compliance with administrative policies and procedures.  Work with the Office of Development and council faculty and staff to draft funding proposals and reports, including stewardship reports to donors.  Compile statistical data and information.  Update, edit, and compose program publications. Coordinate production and distribution of publications. 
             
Ensure compliance with funding agency guidelines and University policy.  Prepare and monitor budgetary information for use in grants, contracts, reports and other financial analyses as requested by director(s) and faculty chairs.  Oversee collecting, organizing, tracking and preparing of data, using University and MacMillan Center data systems for a variety of reports, proposals and publications, collaborating with ITS in developing databases of special concern to the councils.  Composes and/or edits final correspondence and other written material for Council faculty.  Oversee and ensure and/or directly produce timely quality major mailings and publications.

A cover letter is required with your application. You may be asked to provide a writing sample.

 

Essential Duties

 

1. Oversees the advancement and growth of the program. Gives direction and leadership supporting the philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives. Assumes primary accountability for disseminating and publishing all program information to create public awareness and support of the program. 2. Works closely with leadership, internal and external colleagues, and community residents to further develop and implement strategic plans. 3. Identifies, solicits, and cultivates community partnerships and collaborations to assist in the development and growth of the program. Develops the metrics to identify and measure the success of the program. Responsible for measurements of grant success and related evaluation. 4. Assists in identifying and evaluating potential future funding sources, and contributes to the submission of grants and contracts supporting the program, including the annual submission and writing of all content areas and budgetary sections of grant applications. Develops and manages the program’s operating budget. 5. Develops the administrative infrastructure of the program. Manages human resource and administrative functions of the program, including staffing and hiring, supervision, performance development, counseling and discipline, if warranted. Oversees and manages information systems, facilities, and space needs. 6. Investigates, identifies, implements, and oversees the maintenance of systems to gather, track, and report information to support the initiatives of the program. Tracks all program activities and regularly informs leadership of progress on each initiative. Recommends structural or programmatic adjustments, changes or additions based on full knowledge of missions, goals, and objectives. 7. Initiates, designs, and manages the compilation of program communications; identifying outreach potential, and promoting philanthropic and collaborative support of the program. Contributes to the development and assists in the management of content on the program’s website and monitors all changes and additions to the editorial content. 8. May perform other duties as assigned.

 

Required Education and Experience

 

Bachelors degree in a related field and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

Required Skill/Ability 1:

 

Demonstrated critical and strategic thinking and administrative support skills. Proven ability to work both in a team and independently, and to manage multiple priorities.  Effective communications and writing skills. Ability to take on additional administrative responsibilities as needed.

 

Required Skill/Ability 2:

 

Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.  Ability to work harmoniously with faculty, students and visitors, MacMillan, and University offices and external organizations

 

Required Skill/Ability 3:

 

Working knowledge of appropriate calendaring and scheduling systems. Excellent computer skills including Windows and Mac OS, Word, Excel, Outlook, databases and internet navigation skills.

 

Required Skill/Ability 4:

 

Excellent attention to details with a demonstrated ability to perform with accuracy despite interruptions. Ability to make decisions independently when appropriate. 

 

Required Skill/Ability 5:

 

Demonstrated positive attitude and commitment to working as a member of a center-wide team.  The ideal candidate should have the ability to understand, communicate, and effectively interact with people across cultures. Being open to learning about different dimensions of diversity and exhibiting positive attitudes towards cultural differences.

 

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

 

Master’s degree preferred.  Prior experience with grant writing in a fast-paced educational environment such as a university, school system, museum, or training and development unit of business.  Prior knowledge or Yale databases & systems.  Ability to speak and write African languages with understanding of the region and current trends in African Studies.

 

Background Check Requirements

 

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

 

Posting Disclaimer

 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

 

EEO Statement:

 

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.