Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

• Librarian - Collections & Instructional Services
• Student Financial Services Officer
• Interim Director, Executive Masters
• Contract positions:
  • Admissions Officer - 6 month contract
  • Interviewers – Qatar Study of Migrant Families

Librarian - Arabic Collections & Instructional Services

Since it opened in 2005, the SFS-Qatar Library has grown very rapidly to become one of the largest and most frequented libraries in Qatar. Our library supports the learning, teaching, and research goals of SFS-Qatar students and faculty while also serving as a resource for the entire Doha community. The library’s collections, staff, spaces, and technologies encourage academic exploration and foster lifelong learning.

It is our intention now to purchase and provide a collection of Arabic language resources targeted to support the increasing number of Arabic language course offerings at SFS-Qatar. The successful candidate will carry responsibility for that development. Additionally, this Librarian position will work to enhance and expand the library’s information literacy and research skills instructional program including the development of teaching materials and resource guides and the provision of reference and research assistance for students and faculty.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, initiate, develop, assess, and manage an Arabic language collection for the library.
• Develop profiles, processes, and procedures for selecting, ordering, receiving, cataloguing, and maintaining Arabic collections using the library’s integrated management software system.
• Transfer bibliographic and financial data between vendor and library software systems.
• Liaise with faculty and other academic departments to plan and develop an information literacy instruction program that is integrated within the SFS-Q curriculum.
• Develop, produce, and teach information literacy and research skills programs and classes.
• Design and produce library subject guides and instructional materials.
• Assist in policy development for the library.
• Assist in updating and maintaining the library’s print and web-based marketing and information tools.
• Perform in-depth research for faculty, staff, and students.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in an academic, research, or similar library setting with significant experience in Arabic language materials collection development and assessment.
• Masters in Library & Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent accreditation body. Additional graduate degree in a discipline area desirable.
• Proficient Arabic and English language skills – oral and written.
• Superior oral and written communication skills with a record of professional participation and accomplishment.
• Must have a strong commitment to academic support and public service.
• Expertise in the use of OCLC and other major bibliographic utilities, current cataloguing standards (e.g. AACR2), LC Classification System and subject headings, authority control systems, US MARC and other MARC record formats and standards .
• Familiarity with integrated library systems (III Millennium system in particular) and with electronic data exchange methods and protocols.
• Skill in the application of educational technologies and the use of learning management systems and other interactive software programs.
• Thorough knowledge of the Arabic publishing and translation industry, book trade, digital publishing, pricing trends, scholarly communication issues, media formats, archiving, licensing and copyright law.
• Extensive knowledge of academic library collections and core collection building tools and resources.
• Sound knowledge of integrated library systems, cataloguing and metadata structures, electronic data exchange, and interoperability of data structures.
• Thorough knowledge of information literacy development strategies, programs, and standards and of reference and research resources.
• Considerable knowledge of educational technologies and learning management software and systems.

Student Financial Services Officer

The Student Financial Services Officer is responsible for counselling and advising students (both prospective and matriculated) and their families in a variety of areas related to student financial aid, including eligibility requirements, program costs, application processes and deadlines, etc. This position will also serve as the primary point of contact with relevant internal and external parties such as: Qatar Foundation Financial Aid, the Higher Education Institute, and GU Main Campus.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that students and families have timely and complete information regarding application processes including, deadlines and eligibility requirements for scholarships and financial aid awards.
• Work with Academic Affairs, especially the academic advisory deans, as well as other offices, when students’ financial aid matters affect their academic progress, including official notification when financial blocks are to be placed on students’ records.
• Gather data (available funding and academic records) for the Scholarship Committee; informing students of scholarship awards; and tracking awards.
• Serve as campus contact for Higher Education Institute and other external sponsors – setting up information sessions and ensuring that sponsored students submit required documentation.
• Prepare for and present information regarding financial aid options and scholarships for various groups, including high school students and parents at meetings, group discussions, workshops and recruitment sessions.
• Serve as Qatar representative for Georgetown DC student financial services and student accounts; communicating with DC on behalf of those students applying for federally funded student loans and ensuring that those students have all the necessary information; sorting out issues of payment via College Savings plans; and clarifying questions regarding SFS-Qatar students billing when they are studying in Washington or elsewhere.
• In close coordination with the Career Counselor and Alumni Coordinator, engage in fundraising and sponsorship development – contacting Qatar – or regionally-based organizations (governmental and private sector) for scholarships and sponsorships.
• Work with designated Student Affairs Officer to enhance his/her skills and knowledge in the area of Student Financial Counselling. Coordinate with Grant and Research Administrator on investigating and publicizing sources of funding aimed at graduate students, such as Fullbrights and other graduate fellowships and scholarships.
• Utilize and maintain the current Financial Aid module in the Banner system. Ensure that the system is used effectively and that processes are user/student friendly.

Requirements:

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of financial aid programs.
• Bachelors degree, or equivalent years of experience
• 3 to 5 years experience in administering student financial aid programs at a comparable college or university.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Excellent oral and written communication with strong interpersonal, critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under time pressures
• Proficiency with the Banner Financial Aid and Student Accounts module.

Interim Director, Executive Masters

The Interim Director will design, develop, and launch an Executive Masters program in International Affairs that is consistent with the standards and procedures of Georgetown University and the School of Foreign Service. The primary responsibility of this role is to produce a comprehensive project plan which provides well developed timelines for the planning and implementation stages of the Executive Masters program. He/she will also recommend learning solutions which respond most effectively to a student body that will in the majority of cases be in full time employment, and/or distance learners.

SFS-Qatar, which is located in Education City in Doha, Qatar, is a branch of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and offers a four-year undergraduate curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree identical to that offered on the Main Campus of Georgetown University in Washington, DC. The proposed Executive Masters will be the first graduate degree offered by SFS-Qatar. SFS-Qatar employees join a community of scholars in Education City who teach in the other branch campuses of Carnegie-Mellon University, Northwestern University, Cornell University, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with SFS-Qatar senior management, produce a comprehensive project plan which provides well developed timelines for the planning and implementation stages of the Executive Masters Program.
  • To include a resource plan which identifies the recruitment and equipment needs associated with the project
  • To include a projected expenditure budget for the life of the project
• To recommend learning solutions which respond most effectively to a student body that will in the majority of cases be in full time employment, and/or distance learners.
• To provide internal expertise in on line learning solutions

Requirements:

• Masters Degree (Ph.D. preferred), with 7-10 years project management experience
• Proven experience in curriculum development for graduate level programs, with an understanding of both curricular and co-curricular programming.
• Extensive knowledge of university administration.
• Strong developed knowledge of distance learning programs and associated technology.
• Extensive Strong assessment skills of academic proficiency and teaching experience.

Admissions Officer - 6 month contract

The Admissions Officer will provide support to Director and Associate Director of Admissions in all admissions-related activities.

These include:

• Conducting recruitment presentations/visits to schools (both within Qatar and outside of Qatar)
• Processing applications
• Corresponding /meeting with potential applicants and/or their parents
• Scheduling interviews with applicants
• Managing communications with admissions committee members
• Drafting / editing text for advertisements, brochures, etc., in Arabic and occasionally in English
• Coordinating as necessary all admissions related travel and visa arrangements
• Handling admissions-related financial paperwork

This person will also serve on Education City admissions sub-committees as needed and ensure that there is always one person in the office able to answer admissions queries. This position is based in Doha, Qatar.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, Business Administration, or another relevant degree program
• At least 5 years experience in English-speaking and/or bi-lingual office environment
• At least 2 years of experience in an academic setting, with university admissions experience strongly preferred
• Familiarity with standard MSOffice applications (Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint), and ability to learn and work with new programs as needed (PeopleSoft admissions, ApplyYourself, etc.)
• Excellent writing and speaking (fluency in Arabic and English) required, as well as strong interpersonal skills.

Interviewers – Qatar Study of Migrant Families

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar together with the University of Philippines and the University of Michigan, U.S.A is pursuing a major research project funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) to examine the impact of innovative financial services in enabling the expatriate community in Qatar and their families achieve their financial goals. In particular, we are focusing on the Filipino community and their families back in the Philippines.

We are seeking individuals to be part of a survey team that will carry out face-to-face interviews using a specially designed questionnaire with a sample of up to 2000 Filipinos migrants (OFWs) in Qatar. The enrollment of OFWs into the study has already been initiated and we are seeking to scale up the efforts.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Economics/Business Administration/Finance or equivalent years of work experience.
• Good proficiency in English and Tagalog (read, write, speak) with strong interpersonal skills.
• Preferred experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under time pressures.
• Ideally have valid driver’s license and own vehicle for travel within Qatar.

Interested applicants should e-mail their CV and cover letter to qsmf_OFW@yahoo.com

The School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar), which is located in Education City in Doha, Qatar, is a branch of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and offers a four-year undergraduate curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree identical to that offered on the Main Campus of Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Each year, the SFS-Qatar admits a class of approximately 50 students, primarily from the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, who take courses on and will graduate from the Doha campus. The students and facilities of the SFS-Qatar are outstanding. Compensation, terms of employment and professional opportunities for SFS-Qatar faculty are highly competitive. SFS-Qatar faculty join a community of scholars in Education City who teach in the other branch campuses of Carnegie-Mellon University, Northwestern University, Cornell University, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Compensation at all ranks is highly competitive.

Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Georgetown University is an equal opportunity, and affirmative action employer.

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