Programme Administrator, Global and Area Studies

The Oxford School of Global and Area Studies

Oxford’s School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) is one of the largest communities of Area Studies scholars anywhere in the world. This vibrant and dynamic University department has research and teaching programmes dedicated to Africa, China, Latin America, the Middle East, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe, South Asia and Comparative Area Studies. The School welcomes students from all around the globe and offers seven MSc Degrees, six MPhil degrees, a DPhil in Area Studies, as well as the Oxford 1+1 MBA with Saïd Business School.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join OSGA as the Programme Administrator for Global and Area Studies on a permanent full- time contract basis.

About the Role:

Launched in 2021 as a new addition to the OSGA units, the Global and Area Studies (GAS) MPhil programme draws on the unique diversity and strength of the multidisciplinary and area expertise of OSGA’s distinct regional centres to present an innovative, intellectually challenging cross-area programme constructed on the foundations of core theoretical discussions around what it means to do Area Studies. The programme is particularly focused on advancing Comparative Area Studies in a global context as well as on the development of new multidisciplinary approaches.

The Programme is now seeking a talented, versatile and conscientious full-time administrator responsible for the smooth day-to-day administration and delivery of the MPhil in Global and Area Studies and for supporting the academic activity in Global and Area Studies more broadly.

The successful candidate should provide consistent service to students, staff, and visitors through sharing their Programme knowledge and expertise, offering accurate information and advice, delivering clear and appropriate communications, managing competing priorities and adopting a flexible approach. They will play a key part in developing and supporting the processes around the degree programmes and will be working closely with the academic coordinator to ensure that all sources of course information are made available, as required by the University policies, ensuring a positive student experience. In particular, she/he will manage all enquiries from prospective and on-course students to the MPhil in Global and Area Studies; service relevant committees, and provide secretarial and other administrative support to the programme.

The post is offered with wide-ranging responsibilities from supporting the Programme Director, the School’s Education Manager and administrative colleagues in Examination Schools, to liaising closely with academic colleagues within the GAS Programme and beyond.

Liaising effectively with colleagues from across and beyond the collegiate University you will take shared responsibility for coordinating the GAS events, facilitating the organisation of any hospitality, accommodation and travel arrangements, as required, including monitoring the budget allocated for each event. The successful candidate will also help maintain the Programme’s social media presence, marketing and communications activities.

About You:

The post is very varied and stimulating, hence it will suit an individual who enjoys being part of a busy office in an environment of competing priorities. Applications are welcome from candidates with previous experience in academic and/or events administration, who are able to demonstrate a sufficient level of computer literacy,  good communication skills and an ability to produce high-quality, accurate, independent work with little supervision. Experience of working with social media is desirable.

Application process: 

When applying to this position, you will be required to upload a CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages addressing how you meet each of the selection criteria, as listed in the job description. Further details regarding the selection criteria and details on how to apply can be found in the attached job description.

Informal enquiries are welcome: please email [email protected] . Any queries or matters that are not referred to in the job description/further particulars will be passed to the Programme Director, Dr Chigusa Yamaura . Please quote the vacancy reference 171529 in all your correspondence.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 21st March 2024. Applications received after the closing date cannot be considered.

Interviews will be held in person on 27th March 2024

What We Offer:

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working, with a current expectation of at least 50% on-site work. The OSGA Professional Services offices are located in Oxford city centre, surrounded by its stunning architecture, history and culture.

The University of Oxford holds an institutional Silver Athena Swan award, acknowledging the progress made in addressing a number of gender gaps across the University. Applications are particularly welcome from men and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in professional services in Oxford.