IIS-HR
Job Description and Person Specification
Job Title: Research Assistant on Cultural Encounters – Muslim Societies and Civilisations: The
spread of Islam – 12-18th centuries
Location:
Euston, London
Reports to:
Lead Scholar on Cultural Encounters Module
Hours per week:
35
Contract type
Full Time or on a Consultancy Basis
Length of contract
Fixed term 3 - 6 months (start Jan 2013)
Job Description: Brief Description of the Role
To research and retrieve relevant primary and secondary scholarly materials on the Muslim world from
1100’s through to the end of the 1700’s, with particular interest in world systems of exchanges and
integration of peoples from diverse locations, spanning from India and Central Asia through Iran to the
Mediterranean and across the Indian Ocean to East and West Africa. The materials are for use in the
construction of a secondary level curriculum on the cultural, humanistic and civilisational aspects of
Islam that is being developed by the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS). Responsibilities will include
identifying appropriate articles, images, films and other materials, retrieving them, highlighting relevant
sections, and summarising relevant portions. The source materials will be used as part of a student
textbook, as well as additional teacher and student resource packs.
Background to the curriculum: Drawing on credible scholarly sources and the best educational
principles, the IIS secondary curriculum seeks to inspire and challenge young adults in the faith, history
and cultures of Muslim peoples through a multidisciplinary, civilisational and humanistic approach to
the study of Islam including history, the arts, architecture, literature, science, commerce, law,
philosophy, politics, and education.
Main Duties and Responsibilities (or deliverables where self employed)
1.Research and retrieve primary and secondary scholarly materials on the history of the Muslim World
from 1100’s to 1800. Research and retrieval of scholarly materials will include works on history, the
arts, architecture, literature, science, commerce, law, philosophy, politics, and education.
2. Read, understand, highlight and summarise relevant scholarly material. Work closely with the writer
providing the writer with appropriate scholarly materials.
3. Collate primary and secondary source material into resource packs for students and teachers.
4.Liaise closely with the Department of Curriculum Studies staff throughout the duration of the project
providing regular updates to the Head of the Department.
5. Understand and appreciate the civilisational and humanistic approach of the IIS secondary
curriculum on the history, culture and thought of Islam. Read, understand and appreciate the outline of
the curriculum.
6. Read and comprehend existing draft materials on Muslim civilisations and societies and extract
appropriate materials.
7. Devise a plan for researching and retrieving relevant scholarly materials in consultation with the
Head of the Department of Curriculum Studies.
Corporate Responsibilities
Quality Assurance
The role holder is required to participate in quality assurance procedures to maintain and develop
standards of ‘best practice’ in all the areas of the department’s activities. S/he is also required to
implement the outcomes of reviews and evaluations
Continuous Professional Development
The role holder is expected to maintain and improve the quality of his/her role through continuous
professional development within the available time and resources.
Equality of opportunity
The role holder is expected to commit to the principle of equality of opportunity for all staff and students
and to providing an environment where respect is shown to all.
Person Specification
A weighting figure should be given to each separate requirement according to its relative importance to
the overall job:
Low Importance
=
Medium Importance =
High Importance
=
1
2
3
Experience Required
Score
Experience in researching and retrieving scholarly materials on Muslim
Civilisations and Societies
3
Knowledge Requirements
Score
Knowledge of Islamic History in the Post Classical period and accessing of
relevant materials
Knowledge of the interplay of culture and societies
3
3
2
Knowledge of copyright and permission procedures
Main Skills and Abilities
Score
Ability to efficiently research and retrieve relevant scholarly materials from a variety
of sources on the basis of an outline for the curriculum
3
Ability to recognize important sections of scholarly works relevant to the curriculum
3
Ability to organize and effectively summarize relevant sections of scholarly works
for the curriculum writer
3
Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with other members of the
department.
3