Coordinator, Institute for Regional and International Studies

The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS)
AUIS is Iraq’s only non-profit, independent, American-Style university. Founded in 2007, the university now boasts 850 students in its undergraduate and preparatory programs on a campus covering over 400 acres in the safe and tolerant Kurdistan Region of Iraq. AUIS offers undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Engineering, English, Information Technology, and International Studies to students from all backgrounds across Iraq.  All instruction is in English and the teaching faculty — predominantly Americans — have been educated in North American or Western European institutions.

It is the objective of the University to produce graduates of responsible character with the necessary knowledge and skills for professional and national leadership.  Students are prepared for successful careers in a modern, pluralistic society and in a global environment.  The educational programs of the University are designed to develop strength in critical thinking, the ability to communicate well, a strong work ethic, good citizenship, and personal integrity.  Broad-based education, rooted in the American liberal arts tradition, as well as skill development are carried out through teaching excellence, quality scholarship, and caring student services.  For more information on AUIS, see www.auis.edu.iq.

Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS)
AUIS will launch its Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the inaugural Sulaimani Forum on March 11-13, 2013. IRIS will promote rigorous scholarship, and foster an open and informed dialogue among leading academics and significant figures in public life. The Institute will focus on current affairs but will include in the scope of its activities historical, cultural, socio-economic, anthropological and religious dimensions pertinent to present day realities and problems. As a venue of regional and international encounters and as the hub of a network of institutional partnerships it will contribute to ties of mutual understanding reaching across national borders and sectarian divisions.  IRIS will achieve this mission through various activities including the annual Sulaimani Forum; smaller roundtables and conferences; faculty fellowships; scholars in residence; and publications.

AUIS has excellent conference facilities and is well placed to assist scholars with logistics, introductions, transport and other aspects of field work in the region. The university’s location in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq offers a degree of security and a climate of toleration uncommon in the Middle East, making it an attractive meeting place for people who would not easily come together elsewhere. The airports of Sulaimani and Erbil have good and improving direct links with many cities in Europe and the Middle East and hence functional connections to the USA as well.

IRIS Coordinator Responsibilities
The IRIS Coordinator will support both the Institute’s day-to-day operations and longer term initiatives by working with the IRIS Director and other University personnel to plan and execute the Sulaimani Forum and other meetings; assist faculty fellows and visiting scholars with research; and coordinate publishing efforts, among other duties prescribed by the Director.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited US university or comparable Western European university
• Preferred qualification: Master’s degree in International Studies or related field
• Experience working for a university, think tank, or international organization
• Demonstrated ability to plan conferences and events
• Familiarity with Middle East
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills

Please submit a cover letter and CV to recruitment@auis.edu.iq.