Job Description Summary:

The George Washington University Libraries and Academic Innovation (GWLAI) seeks candidates for the position of Middle East and North Africa Librarian (MENA Librarian). The successful candidate will have a deep academic interest in the contemporary Middle East and North Africa; bring a flexible, collaborative approach to their work; and have a strong commitment to active engagement, research support, and teaching. The MENA Librarian will join a dynamic institution dedicated to advancing the university's research and education agenda. The successful candidate will be a member of the Research and User Services unit in GWLAI, providing support for the collections and activities of the Global Resources Center (GRC), a preeminent collection of contemporary area studies resources that serve the needs of researchers in international relations and regional studies. GRC patrons include not only members of the GW community, but scholars from around the globe who rely on these unique resources for their ground-breaking research. The MENA Librarian is responsible for the informed development of collections in Arabic, English and other languages of the region and purposeful outreach to faculty, students, and colleagues. The MENA librarian is a strong collaborator and an active participant in teams, projects and other efforts originating across GWLAI.

The University is located in the heart of Washington, DC, and has strong synergistic relationships with its globally focused neighbors. This juxtaposition has informed the university's distinctive approach to global studies, which blends policy-oriented and professional education with a strong academic foundation culled from disciplines across the social sciences and humanities. As with all GRC research centers, MENA services and collections mirror the university's globally focused profile, and support GW's unique approach to the study of non-Western parts of the globe. Resources are selected with a special emphasis on political, cultural, and social events and trends as they emerge over time; the way these events and trends are interwoven into, impact, and are impacted by society, government, and culture among other guiding influences; and as framed within their historical context. Building the collection is a dynamic and ongoing effort requiring close monitoring of real-time events; analysis of underlying social, cultural, economic and political currents; and active analysis of potential future directions.

The MENA librarian position is funded through a generous endowment established by the Government of Kuwait.

Preferred Qualifications:

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Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in a social science or humanities discipline, with an emphasis on Middle East/North African Studies.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in reading and writing Arabic.

Special Instructions to Applicants::

• Only complete applications will be considered. To be considered, please complete an online application and upload a curriculum vitae and cover letter that includes an assessment of skills related to basic qualifications.
• Review of applications will begin August 27, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.
• The University and department have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among librarians and staff. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for this position.