Derechos: Human Rights Listings

Position Description

Job Title: Executive Director

Grade: 88 Division 373

Incumbent: Robert Quinn

Reports to: Office of the President

Division: Office of the President

Department: Scholar Rescue Fund

Purpose of Position: To provide overall administration, leadership and strategic vision for the Scholar Rescue Fund, reporting to IIE President and SRF Committee of the Board of Trustees, SRF Executive Committee and SRF Board. To maintain and develop internal IIE and external relationships, including with trustees, donors, sponsors (including foundations and US Dept. of State) and programmatic partners in academic, legal, human rights, refugee, diplomatic and other communities. Manage all aspects of SRF grant-making from outreach to post-placement. Assist Development Division in building support and endowment for SRF.

Principal Responsibilities:

1.Overall design and implementation of program policies and procedures; creation and supervision of suitable administrative structures; development, monitoring, evaluation and modification of program components.

2.Coordinate with sponsors including IIE trustees, private individuals, foundations, and government sources, including the US Dept. of State.

3.Coordinate activities of the SRF Selection Committee. With Office of the President and Development Division, coordinate activities of the SRF Committee of Board of Trustees and SRF Board.

4.Supervise program staff, including Assistant Director, Program Officer, interns and volunteers. Supervise Assistant Director in management and training of new staff, interns and volunteers.

5.Oversee all aspects of case work carried out by staff; provide instruction and guidance; monitor and anticipate potential conflicts or problems. Keep IIE President and SRF Committee Chair informed as necessary.

6.Plan, prepare, and monitor divisional administrative and program budgets. In cooperation with Development Division, oversee grants and contracts, including tracking, reporting and stewardship functions. With Vice President for Development and SRF Chief Development Officer, coordinate and support development activities. Prepare programmatic, financial and other reports and various materials for IIE leadership, SRF partners, sponsors, the media and others. Coordinate materials and events involving SRF grantees in communications and outreach activities.

7.Develop, maintain and manage SRF relationships and synergies, both internal and external.

8.Plan and coordinate workshops, training and presentations for SRF grantees and partners. Represent the SRF at internal IIE meetings and functions. Represent SRF and IIE at external meetings, events and conferences. Domestic and international travel to conferences, meetings, visits to universities and with SRF grantees and partners.

9.Oversee design, operation and improvements of divisional information systems, including databases, website and case-management/file systems.

10.Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge and information about world-wide affairs in academic, political, security, human rights and related fields. Develop and maintain knowledge and information of academic communities worldwide and opportunities for scholars including fellowship programs and other sources of funding, trends and new developments in academic disciplines and professions.

11.Develop and maintain knowledge of legal frameworks and issues affecting SRF programmatic responsibilities, in the US and abroad, including taxation, contracts, employment, public benefits, OFAC sanctions and other sanctions regimes, immigration and asylum/refugee issues, human rights/humanitarian law, slander/defamation and those other areas that may from time-to-time be relevant. Consult with IIE internal legal counsel, outside counsel and pro-bono counsel.

12.Prepare reports and guides and other useful admission information and guidelines for both internal and external audiences and serve internally as an IIE resource on issues of academic freedom, university autonomy, university rights and security issues relating to scholars and universities.

13.Serve as an IIE representative to professional associations with related interests in academic freedom, university autonomy, university rights and security issues relating to scholars and universities.

14.Other duties as deemed necessary by the Executive Director or as assigned by IIE President or Chairman of the SRF Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Qualifications: Education/Experience/Skills:

To be considered a candidate for the position, an applicant must have:

At least five years of progressively responsible administrative experience, graduate degree preferred
University work or non-profit experience desirable, especially in areas related to human rights issues.
knowledge of international higher education systems desirable, including knowledge of opportunities for scholars including fellowship programs and other sources of funding, trends and new developments in academic disciplines and professions
knowledge of legal frameworks and issues effecting SRF programmatic responsibilities in the US and abroad, including taxation, contracts, employment, public benefits, sanctions, immigration and asylum/refugee issues, human rights/humanitarian law, slander/defamation all desirable
experience with private, foundation and government sponsors, including US Dept. of State, desirable
excellent ability to negotiate and strong communication skills
ability to train, supervise and give direction to staff
ability to work well under pressure and on short-deadlines at critical periods
flexibility and willingness to adapt and adjust to changing needs of program and sponsors
ability to think creatively and strategically and to promote with the IIE President, SRF Chairman and SRF Executive Committee the long-term interests of the IIE, the SRF and SRF grantees/scholars.