DESCRIPTION

The African and African-American Studies Research Center (AAASRC) is an independent research unit that facilitates faculty, postgraduate, and graduate research in African, African diasporic, and African-American studies in the social sciences and humanities and to foster the comparative, cross-national, and interdisciplinary dimensions of research with a core group of leading scholars. Our further objective is to promote intercultural understanding and academic diversity on the campus of UC San Diego. In addition AAASRC oversees the undergraduate African Studies Minor. Each year, AAASRC organizes symposia and workshops that combine cutting-edge research with a community outreach component.

Serve as the administrative contact and coordinator for the African and African-American Studies Research Center (AAASRC) and the African Studies minor. Serve as the Assistant to the Center Director. Organize board meetings, lecture series, conferences, and symposia. Organize and schedule Zoom meetings. Coordinate travel & visa requirements with department administration for international scholars and visitors. Make all travel arrangements for visitors. Prepare minutes, activity reports, CEP reports, quarterly newsletter using desktop publishing, and materials for grants, fellowships and funding-raising. Coordinate participation of undergraduate interns and volunteers in program events. Attend and assist with events. Prepare quarterly minor listings and update courses with departments. Verify catalog copy. Interface with related academic and business departments and organizations. Coordinate invoices, travel expenses, office expenses, and honorariums with department financial administration.

• Work schedule is non-standard - afternoons and evenings - to accommodate Director's teaching schedule and after-hour events.

• Must be able to attend evening events during lecture series, conferences, and symposia.

• Must have reliable transportation to run errands on and off campus and to pick up visitors/speakers for AAASRC events.

• Vacation will not be approved in preparation for and during Black History Month.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough understanding of African and African American studies and multicultural research.

• Experience at virtual meeting platform – Zoom.

• Experience coordinating special events such as conferences, colloquia and symposia. Experience making logistical arrangements such as catering, room reservations, parking arrangements, etc. in support of such events.

• Skilled in developing, implementing and maintaining data record keeping - manual and computerized. Skill in maintaining systems alphabetically, chronologically and/or by subject matter.

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of people and situations including students, faculty and staff from diverse racial, cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, in writing and by telephone. Demonstrated excellent command of and proficient use of correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Demonstrated excellent computing experience, preferably with a Macintosh. Proficiency with standard business applications such as word processing, email, spreadsheet, photo scanning and desktop publishing.

• Skilled at organizing and prioritizing work to meet deadlines while working in an environment with frequent interruptions.

• Ability to exercise good judgment and initiative.

• Ability to use standard office machines (telephone, copy, fax, typewriter, laser printer, calculator, etc.).

• Excellent attendance record.

• Knowledge of Learning Management System (LMS) a plus.