Virginia Commonwealth University
School of the Arts in Qatar

Position: Writing Center Instructor
Position Number: F28340
Position Location: Doha, Qatar
Position Begins: August 11, 2013
Review of Applications: Review of applications is ongoing and will continue until position is filled.

VCUQatar (www.qatar.vcu.edu) is the Qatar campus of the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1998 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, VCUQatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design, graphic design, interior design and painting & printmaking; Bachelor of Arts in art history, and, a Master of Fine Arts degree in design studies. Located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, VCUQatar is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The current student body represents a diverse range of nationalities with students coming from more than 40 different countries.

VCUQatar strives to provide an engaged, learner-centered environment that fosters inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting. The university hosts the biennial international design conference Tasmeem Doha and supports the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium, attracting globally recognized designers, academics and thinkers while fostering sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic and cultural vitality of Qatar. The university has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and is a significant catalyst for that growth. It has established itself as a center of excellence for education and research in art and design.

VCUQatar has 131 full-time faculty and staff and a student body of 249. VCUQatar was the first campus established in Education City, a unique 2500-acre campus community. Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Carnegie-Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Northwestern University, HEC Paris and UCL have since joined the university.  

Qatar is a liberal, hospitable and progressive country in the Arabian Gulf and remains one of the healthiest economies in the Gulf region. English is the standard second language and the population of Qatar is approximately 1.65 million and growing – 350,000 Qatari, the remainder expatriates. Doha offers all the conveniences found in a contemporary and cosmopolitan city, and also maintains a traditional Arab flavor, evident in the old markets and the city’s Islamic Arab architecture. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M.Pei opened in November 2008 and the Arab Museum of Modern Art (Mathaf) opened in 2010. The US Embassy considers Qatar among the safest countries in the world for Americans.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Writing Center Instructor is a new 9-month faculty position that will report directly to the Director of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This position will advise and assist students in developing writing skills that are accepted as valuable and appropriate for work in the University, with a special emphasis on the needs of students in the newly implemented Art History program. The Writing Center Instructor may work with students either one-on-one, in small groups, or in classroom settings. This position will require extensive knowledge of the writing process, fluency in English, and significant ability to teach all levels of students in an English-as-a-second-language environment.  The successful candidate must have a clear understanding of the role of the Writing Center in support of the broader academic mission and must have a collaborative approach with colleagues.

In addition, the Writing Center Instructor interacts with all university faculty as needed to stay current with the requirements of written course assignments. The Writing Center Instructor creates, files, and disseminates reports on work done with students; discusses students’ special writing needs with faculty and/or counselors as necessary; may function as a representative of or liaison for the Writing Center, either alone or in collaboration with faculty, both in-house and externally; assists with use and upkeep of the Writing Center and its materials; participates in staff and professional development activities; and assists the faculty in developing Writing Center workshops, gathering data, and developing policies as requested.

 MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides students educational instruction and guidance concerning all aspects of written English and to include planning, drafting, revising, and technicalities of using the English language
• Understands writing as a process and teaching that process to students from diverse cultural backgrounds and levels of academic preparation;
• Initiates recommendations and procedures to enhance students’ learning and provides specialized support to the work of the Art history department;
• Notifies the relevant professor or the university counselors about special concerns observed while working with a student;
• Maintains confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Conducts Writing Center workshops or makes presentations about aspects of composition or writing center work, or assists with workshops and presentations as requested.
• Participates in staff and professional development activities to keep abreast of university policies and changes, curriculum developments and requirements, best practices in English language use, and other information relevant to the efficient and professional operation of the Art history program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A master’s degree or equivalent in English, Communication, Linguistics, Education, or other field relevant to addressing students’ English-as-Second-Language (ESL) communication needs.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment and commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCUQatar.
• A strong conviction that all students have the ability to achieve and to improve their written communication skills.
• Experience in teaching and learning styles, with a strong emphasis on one-on-one, individualized instruction in the area of language acquisition.
• Excellent time management skills, superb interpersonal communication skills and collaborative approach.
• Highly developed organizational skills to include critical thinking and analytical skills.
• A high level of accuracy, work ethic, diligence, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Self-motivation for working initiatively and independently to meet Writing Center goals with minimal supervision.
• Ability to assess students’ needs and recognize potentially serious learning, behavioral, or other problems relevant to communicating well in English and succeeding in coursework.
• Familiarity with research methods, resources, and documentation.
• Positive attitude and desire to be in a service-oriented environment that results in the ability to create a positive learning environment for all students.
• Significant knowledge and skill in using a computer in teaching the writing process; excellent skills in Microsoft Word and familiarity with PowerPoint and Excel.
• Prior public speaking and presentation development skills are desirable.
• Knowledge of special requirements of Art History is desirable.
• Ability to think critically, analytically, and creatively.

BENEFITS

• Competitive international salary
• Tax protection for U.S. Taxpayers
• 30% Off-shore supplement to base salary
• Medical Insurance (100% employer funded premium and employer cost shared options available)
• Fully furnished villa or apartment including wireless internet
• Annual travel allowance to home of record (to include a spouse and dependents relocated to Qatar)
• Monthly transportation allowance
• Educational reimbursement for up to 4 dependent children enrolled in an accredited K-12 program
• International Professional Development and Research Opportunities

pplication Process:  Qualified applicants who have a record of achievement appropriate to VCUQatar should submit a letter of interest with curriculum vitae, and the names of five references including email and telephone contact information to Tomaree Porter (tlporter@vcu.edu), Human Resources Administrator, and Qatar Support Office. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted.

 Virginia Commonwealth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on VCUQatar and this unique international opportunity, please visit

www.vcu.edu/arts/employment/qatar