Position Specification / Director, Institute for Human Rights - UAB

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Position Specification / Director, Institute for Human Rights - UAB

Position Specification

for

University of Alabama at Birmingham

College of Arts and Sciences

Birmingham, Alabama

www.uab.edu

May 2015

A Founding Director is being sought for a new Institute for Human Rights (IHR) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The IHR is expected to become an internationally recognized research center that promotes and seeks to protect human rights. Because Birmingham, Alabama is already an international destination for those seeking to learn more about human rights, the IHR will serve as an epicenter for scholars, educators, and activists to collaborate on initiatives designed to promote and protect human rights in an increasingly complex global landscape. Born in Birmingham, the crucible of the civil rights movement for social justice, UAB is already among the most diverse top tier comprehensive public research universities in the country.

THE ORGANIZATION

UAB is an internationally renowned public research university and academic medical center. UAB has rapidly become one of the state’s largest public universities with a College of Arts and Sciences, nine professional schools (Business, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, and Public Health), an honors college, a large graduate school, and a world-renowned medical center. UAB takes pride in the discovery of “knowledge that will change your world”.

UAB is among 51 public and private universities noted by the Carnegie Foundation for both “very high research activity” and “community engagement”. UAB receives more than $454 million annually in research grants and contracts and ranks 10th among all public universities in NIH funding. For fall 2014, 19,283 undergraduate, graduate, pre-professional, and postdoctoral students attended UAB. Of these, 60 percent are in undergraduate programs and 40 percent in graduate, professional, and postdoctoral programs. With 23,000 employees, UAB is also the largest, single-site employer in the state of Alabama with an annual state economic impact of more than $5 billion.

The College of Arts and Sciences

The IHR will be housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences at UAB strives for recognition as a premier international college with global reach. The College was established on January 1, 2010—the result of a bold reorganization plan that merged the Schools of Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Given the broad mission and variety of disciplines represented, The College is best positioned to provide a platform for the melding of ideas needed to advance the reputation of the university. From mathematics to philosophy, physics, the arts, the life sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences, The College represents a kaleidoscope of intellectual opportunities for learning and the advancement of knowledge.

The College comprises over half of the UAB’s academic enterprise. It is home to more than 300 faculty members in 19 departments offering over 40 baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees; over 6,500 undergraduates and more than 500 graduate students from more than 50 countries study within the College. Its distinctive combination of faculty, strong academic programs, outstanding teaching, and diverse student body, nestled in the historic and vibrant city of Birmingham, make The College of Arts and Sciences a unique destination for those seeking excellence in research, education, and entrepreneurship.

THE POSITION

Overview of Responsibilities:

The position of Director of the Institute for Human Rights provides an unparalleled opportunity for a credible, nationally recognized human rights specialist to strategically establish UAB as a preeminent center for human rights and social justice. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the founding Director will have a proven track record in terms of his/her administrative and scholarly accomplishments. As the IHR’s chief academic, financial, and strategic officer, the Director will be expected to provide direction, vision, leadership, and actively participate in development efforts across the UAB campus, the city of Birmingham, state of Alabama and national human rights platforms. He/she will also contribute to the intellectual life of the IHR and the University and promote the IHR within and outside the University.

The Director will work across the enterprise to optimize the University’s capabilities and inspire the highest standards of performance, while nurturing relationships and interconnections among human rights, civil rights, history, justice, politics, public health, the environment, and education at home and abroad. Collaborations with local organizations such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education (BACHE) have already begun, and extension to national and international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), embassies, NGOs, and others will be encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

Ø Propose policy solutions and educational programming, and engage in outreach activities relating to all aspects of human rights ranging from the local to the international level;

Ø Provide a framework for faculty members, students and community members to collaborate and inspire new scholarship, attract world-class scholars and researchers that are passionate about human and civil rights issues;

Ø Enhance experiential learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students by integrating human rights into the curriculum and helping to identify and nurture future leaders in the field;

Ø Deliver training on the “Human Rights-Based Approach” (see box), creating plans and processes for human rights and development aimed at promoting the well-being and freedom of all people;

Ø Interact regularly with UAB staff across all departments and schools to ensure effective coordination and delivery of program activities, in keeping with the Institute’s focus;

Ø Facilitate conversations and programs to broaden UAB’s efforts to promote awareness of human rights issues and violations across the globe, and develop initiatives designed to help eradicate atrocities and their root causes;

Ø Employ innovative technologies and scientific methods to integrate existing university and community strengths to create a conceptual framework for the process of human rights development that is based on international standards and operationally directed to promote and protect human rights;

Ø Collaborate closely with faculty, staff, executives, students and community leaders to strategically establish the Institute for Human Rights as a preeminent center of national and international distinction for promoting research, education, health, public policy, and social justice issues.

Professional Experience/Qualifications

Candidates for the position must have a track record of successfully growing an organization or national program; exhibit excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; and have a distinguished record of accomplishments. The successful candidate must be an active and innovative educator, researcher, and have fundraising experience.

Skills and Knowledge

§ Demonstrated passion for teaching, conveying knowledge, engaging and relating well to people;

§ Record of promoting issues of social justice and diversity as fundamental aspects of academic excellence;

§ Demonstrated ability to think strategically and proven track record of advocacy;

§ Capacity to appropriately plan, prioritize and manage multiple, sometimes competing, demands efficiently in a complex multi-faceted environment;

§ Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within UAB as well as with local partners, government officials and external media partners;

§ Extensive knowledge of human rights issues and a profound and motivating desire to make an impact on society on a national and global scale;

§ Demonstrate energy and enthusiasm for new ideas while embracing servant leadership concepts;

§ Research and publication experience;

§ Ability to defend and explain complex issues and positions to internal and external audiences, including senior officials in governments and intergovernmental bodies.

THE COMMUNITY

Nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at the cross-section of two major railroads, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Today, Birmingham is a medical research, banking and service-based economy, making it one of the nation’s most livable cities with a vibrant downtown, a burgeoning loft community, a world-class culinary scene and more green space per capita than any other city in the nation!

Birmingham also boasts 99 historic neighborhoods and is often referred to as the cradle of the American Civil Rights Movement. The average (high) temperature in the city is 65°; the average low is 51°. The city is centrally located in the southeast and easily accessible to major hubs in the region.

Explore the city of Birmingham and surrounding communities though the Birmingham Business Alliance website at: www.revbba.com

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered that includes relocation assistance.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

For more information about the position, please call or forward curriculum vitae, nominations and/or referrals in confidence to:

Etheline Desir Donna Warner

Desir Group Executive Search Desir Group Executive Search

(770) 431-4664 (630) 910-3058

DESIR GROUP EXECUTIVE SEARCH

HOUSTON * ATLANTA * CHICAGO