[CivilSoc] Consultancy Position - Uzbekistan Educational Partnerships Program

[Andrew Segars]

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position: Consultant in Comparative Religious Studies with expertise in
Central Asia and Islam
Organization: American Councils for International Education:
ACTR/ACCELS
Expected Start Date: Immediately
Terms of Consultancy: 
- Part-time temporary consultancy;
- Three-six months over a 24-month period;
- Consultancy will take place in the United States, but will involve
coordination with the American Councils' Uzbekistan field office in
Tashkent; 
- Occasional travel to Uzbekistan required
- Project is funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Consultancy Overview: The American Councils is preparing a proposal for
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of
State and is seeking a consultant to provide guidance, training, and
academic oversight on a partnership program in comparative religious
studies.  In the program, U.S. university departments will work with
five Uzbekistani higher education institutions to develop curriculum,
improve teaching methodology, support academic exchanges, and engage in
collaborative research. The purpose of the partnership is to encourage a
deeper understanding of traditional Uzbek culture, religion, including
Islam, within the context of democracy, human rights, and religious
freedom within Uzbekistan.
Responsibilities:
? Travel to Uzbekistan for initial planning workshops with heads of
five Uzbekistan institutes of higher education;
? Organize and implement training sessions for Uzbekistan faculty and
students;
? Provide assistance in selecting U.S. partner universities;
? Help plan professional development programs at U.S. universities for
Uzbekistani faculty;
? Oversee the training of academic professionals, from both U.S host
institutions and participating institutions, in the Republic of
Uzbekistan;
? Review curriculum projects developed on program;
? Travel with U.S. partners to Uzbekistan to implement training
workshops and evaluate program; and
? Report on activities as required.
Qualifications:
? Graduate degree required, PhD strongly preferred, in Islamic Studies
or Comparative;
? Religious Studies with an academic interest specific to Central
Asia;
? Demonstrated working knowledge of Uzbek, Russian, and/or Arabic;
? Experience working overseas, preferably in Uzbekistan and/or Central
Asia;
? Considerable experience in methodology development and education
development projects;
? Experience in planning and carrying out seminars and workshops, with
an emphasis on humanities' scholars;
? Strong cross-cultural skills;
? Excellent command of the English language in speaking in writing;
and
? Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS:
American Councils is an international not-for-profit organization
leading the development and exchange of knowledge between the United
States and Eurasia.
Our mission is to foster independence and democratic development by
advancing education and research, cultivating leadership and empowering
individuals and institutions through learning.  Founded in 1974 as an
association for area and language professionals, American Councils has
focused its expertise on the design and implementation of academic
exchange, professional training, distance learning, curriculum, and test
development, delivery of technical assistance and consultancy services,
research and evaluation, and institution building.
Contact Information:
Please send cv and cover letter to Andrew Segars at
segars at americancouncils.org or Kevin Spensley at
spensley at americancouncils.org
For more information regarding American Councils for International
Education, please check our website at www.americancouncils.org
Andrew Segars, Program Manager
Muskie/FSA Graduate Fellowship Program
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
tel: (202) 833-7522
fax: (202) 833-7523
email: segars at americancouncils.org
www.americancouncils.org