Director of American Spaces Expat Accepting Applications

Director of American Spaces Expat Accepting Applications

Why AUIB?

Diversity and Inclusivity: At AUIB, we champion diversity and inclusivity in every aspect of campus life. Our vibrant community is a tapestry of cultures, ideas, and dreams, ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone through fair and equal policies.

Competitive Benefits: AUIB offers competitive salaries, comprehensive health plans, and generous leave policies, ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of our staff.

Professional Development: With numerous opportunities for career progression and professional development, AUIB is the ideal place to enhance your skills and advance your career.

A Thriving Community: Our expatriate faculty and staff enjoy comfortable on-campus accommodations and a vibrant campus equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including an expansive library, modern classrooms, and recreational amenities.

A Legacy of Excellence: Situated in Baghdad, AUIB is dedicated to reviving the city’s historic legacy of learning and culture. Joining AUIB means being part of a prestigious project envisioned by prominent figures in business, government, and education.

About American Spaces

American Spaces promote critical thinking and thoughtful discussion of issues important to the U.S. relationship with the host country and U.S. global interests. They do this in keeping with the U.S. commitment to a core tenet of democracy: upholding a citizen’s right to free access to information. American Spaces counteract negative perceptions and disinformation about the United States, and they offer opportunities to build bridges of mutual respect and understanding between the host country and the people of the United States. American Spaces should not only be tools of the embassy’s public affairs section but should serve as platforms for the entire mission to use for public engagement in support of the broad range of U.S. relationships, interests, and activities in the host country.

American Spaces at AUIB seeks to engage the community in meaningful and open discussions and share knowledge and training. It is designed to promote thoughtful conversations, workshops, and digital resources. Fundamentally, it is a critical part of AUIB’s commitment to revolutionize higher education in Iraq. On average, hundreds of students and outside visitors pass through the doors of the campus’ American Spaces each month to explore, learn, and enjoy. AUIB’s American Spaces is one of the world’s largest and only freestanding buildings of the global program.

Position Summary: The role of the Director reports directly to the Chief Communications Officer and Public Affairs Advisor to the President and includes, but is not limited to, the following five mandates executed through in-person events and virtual/online programs:

1. Provide accurate, compelling, timely and audience-appropriate information about the United States – its history, culture, society, values, and foreign policies.
2. Facilitate English language learning through access to English language speakers, resources, computers, and internet access.
3. Promote higher education study in the United States by providing international students with accurate, comprehensive, and current guidance on applying to U.S. colleges and universities.
4. Foster people-to-people connections, increase understanding and build respect with host country audiences through cultural programs.
5. Support continuing engagement with U.S. government exchange program alumni, connecting them to local audiences through alumni programs in which credible, local voices can share firsthand information about the United States and American values.

Additionally, the Director undertakes other activities as assigned by the Chief Communications Advisor and Public Affairs Advisor to the President and serves as a premier relationship builder, who promotes and enhances the University’s activities and relationship with the general public and with select audiences.

Main activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Establish, curate, and maintain friendly and active connections between AUIB and diplomatic missions and NGOs in Iraq
2. Develop and maintain relationships with U.S. Embassy Baghdad stakeholders and teams and advise on diplomatic expectations and protocols
3. Ensure operation of American Spaces programs (internal and external) and facility
4. Engage AUIB and U.S. Department of State American Spaces/American Corner strategic objectives in all aspects outreach and programming l
5. Develop and maintain network of strategic and beneficial partnerships within Iraq’s diplomatic community and stakeholders with external stakeholders such as NGOs, diplomatic missions, industry and/or commercial partnerships, public organizations, etc.
6. Provide outreach and programs to the public which support AUIB’s strategic priority to engage the community and the nation
7. Serve as community education liaison, and guide information and resource management strategy.
8. Via the Director’s efforts, the American Spaces program provides a publicly visible outreach to the community that illustrates AUIB engagement and citizen support; it also provides soft skills and leadership development, English language development, and cultural outreach to AUIB’s internal community of faculty, staff, and students.
9. Via the Director’s efforts, the American Spaces program provides needed national development programs to the public such as economic diversification, the democratic process, elections and voting, entrepreneurship support, etc. and supports institutional priorities.
10. Seek out grant and other funding opportunities in coordination with the Office of Institutional Advancement.
11. Coordinate all diplomatic visits with the President’s Office and Chief Communications Advisor and Public Affairs Advisor to the President, and escorts all diplomatic visitors and dignitaries at events, meetings, etc. when appropriate.
12. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experiance

Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, public relations, or equivalent experiance.

5-10 years of relevant professional work experiance.

Application Requirements:

To be considered for any role at the American University of Iraq—Baghdad (AUIB), applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Cover letter: Detail how your skills and experience align with the specific requirements of the position you are applying for.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Provide an up-to-date resume or CV.
• Identification: A valid national ID or passport is required for the application process.

Please note that applications missing any of these components will not be considered.

Candidates Shortlisted for an Interview:
If you are shortlisted for an interview, you will need to provide additional documentation:

• Educational transcripts and certifications must be translated into English.
• References: Provide contact details for three references who have either worked with you or supervised your work.

We look forward to receiving your complete applications and appreciate your interest in joining our dynamic team at AUIB.

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