Job Description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Administration and Operations (DAO), the African Language Program (ALP) Manager takes chief responsibility for coordinating the administrative and operational tasks for the ALP and provide administrative support to the program's faculty director.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities

Serves as principal contact and liaison between the director, preceptor, language coach staff (TA/TF), students, Committee on African Studies (CAS) and other ALPs (e.g. MIT, Boston University, Yale University etc.).

Prepares and maintains ALP records and reviews documents to ensure compliance with University and Government's regulations. Communicates problems to DAO.

EVENTS PLANNING AND COORDINATION

• Plans, develop program content, and manages all logistical aspects of all events for the ALP. Events include ALP tutorials and meetings, the African Theater Night (4 times per academic year), the ALP Open House, and other ad hoc events organized for concentrators and potential concentrators.
• Creates and maintains events¿ budget
• Selects and hires vendors
• Advertises the event
• Works in collaboration with the ALP Faculty Director in the development of new events

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• Provides an on-going assessment of policies and procedures in the program and recommends changes where needed with a focus on:
• Hiring practices for TA/TFs and preceptors,
• TA/TFs compliance with teaching standards and requirements
• Manages the hiring of all TA/TFs for the ALP (including recruiting and interviewing potential TAs alongside the Faculty Director)
• Co-runs the weekly ALP TA/TFs meetings with the Faculty Director
• Provides curricular support to all TAs, training them and overseeing their work
• Periodically evaluates ALP courses, writing course observation reports and making recommendations to improve classroom practices.
• Oversees and approves all ALP final assessments and placement exams
• Provides group and in person trainings on Harvard systems
• Manages all Title VI Federal Grant data collection and communication with the Center for African Studies
• Represents the ALP at various departmental events, including the Faculty retreat and some faculty meetings
• Serves as IT point person for the ALP
• Provides periodic reports to the DAO and other FAS/GSAS administrative offices.

FINANCES

• Develops the ALP budget in consultation with DAO.
• Monitors the ALP budget to address both programming and administrative expenses and makes decisions on expenditures
• Maintains financial documentation and reconciles expenses and processes reimbursements for both staff and instructors associated with the ALP
• Manages with AAAS Finance person the Title VI grant and the Oppenheimer Fund budgets and expenses
• Supports the Director in writing grant proposals and assists in managing the current grant budget
• Advises the Faculty Director on University and FAS protocols, guidelines, and policies.

SEARCH MANAGEMENT

• Manages searches for TA/TFs and preceptors, both nationally and internationally (Africa)
• Advertises
• Recruits
• Manages travel logistics and campus visits from potential national and international candidates
• Deals with immigration related issues, cooperating with the HIO in order to obtain Visas and work permits for Teaching Assistants and Preceptors
• Onboards preceptors and TAs/TFs

OUTREACH

• Acts as the ALP spokesperson at recruiting events and fairs, including, but not limited to, The North East Regional Consortium for Programs in African Languages annual event held at BU, Boston
• Manages content and logistics of all ALP's communication and student outreach and engagement efforts

Working Conditions:

• May be expected to work on campus up to 4 days per week.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree required. Must possess at least 5 years of progressively responsible administrative management experience in an academic or research environment. Education beyond a Bachelor's degree may count towards experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Masters Degree preferred. Strong interpersonal and oral communications skills essential, including the ability to deal diplomatically with a wide range of people. Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information. Strong leadership and negotiation skills. Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of constituents, managing change, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines. Demonstrated writing ability, as well as excellent editing and proofreading skills. Knowledge of IT systems and processes and the ability to learn and apply new software applications quickly. Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel. Experience with Open Scholar and HTML preferred. Experience with Harvard University systems and policies is helpful.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
• This position will split its time between two Cambridge-based offices.
• All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Schedule

The standard schedule is Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm, but the ability to work outside of the standard schedule will be required as dictated by program and business needs.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.