The Islamic Manuscript Association is one of the main projects of the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation. The Association is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting Islamic manuscript collections and supporting those who work with them. It was formed in response to the urgent need to address the poor preservation and inaccessibility of many Islamic manuscript collections around the world. Both positions are full-time and are based at the Association’s office in Cambridge, UK. The contracts are for one year with the possibility of renewal. Employment in Cambridge will be through the Foundation’s representative company Tradigital, which is based in Cairo, Egypt. We are seeking to fill these positions immediately. The salary will be £25,000 gross per annum.

The successful candidates will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association, including the organisation of the Association's annual conference, meetings and workshops; the development of online resources for professionals working with Islamic manuscripts, and the coordination of the Association’s grant scheme. They will report to the executive director. Excellent interpersonal skills and an enthusiasm for the Association’s aims are essential.

The successful candidates will be able to work well as part of a small team and also under their own direction when necessary.

Key responsibilities

• Administrate the Association’s office on a day-to-day basis
• Work with the executive director and other Association staff to organise Association events including conferences, meetings, and workshops
• Regularly revise and update the content of the news, resources, grants and events pages of the Association’s website in cooperation with the executive director and webmaster
• Monitor the progress and development of projects funded by the Association’s grant scheme
• Monitor and support the activities of the Association’s working groups: cataloguing, conservation, digitisation, and research and publishing
• Manage the Association’s finances in consultation with the treasurer and accountant
• Maintain all records required for the good governance of the Association (e.g. membership lists) with the relevant legal authorities

Key qualifications and experience

• Good level of general education to a bachelor's level
• Excellent written English and phone manner
• Proven experience in administration and staff management
• Excellent IT skills: Microsoft Office, databases, email clients and wikis
• Willing to travel internationally
• Capable of juggling multiple demanding priorities in a high-pressure environment
• Knowledge of a discipline relating to the care and management of manuscript collections (e.g. cataloguing, conservation or digitisation), Middle Eastern and Islamic studies and/or codicology an advantage
• Knowledge of Arabic an advantage

Application procedure

To apply please send a CV and covering letter explaining your suitability for the position to:

The closing date for all applications is 9 October 2009
Interviews will be held from 12 October 2009