IIS-HR
Job Description and Person Specification
Job Title: Academic Content Editor / Research Associate
Location:
Euston, London
Reports to:
Head of Department of Curriculum Studies (DCS)
Hours per week:
35
Contract type
Full time employee or consultancy
Brief Description of the Role
The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) seeks to recruit an Academic Content Editor/Research Associate in
the general area of Islamic Studies with an emphasis on Shi’i history and thought to assist in the
development of its secondary curriculum materials.
The IIS is developing a secondary level (ages 12–15) curriculum on Muslim societies and civilisations.
The secondary curriculum seeks to inspire and challenge young adults in the faith, ethics, history, and
cultures of Muslim peoples. It takes a multidisciplinary, civilisational, and humanistic approach to the
study of Islam including history, the arts, architecture, literature, science, commerce, law, philosophy,
and education. The curriculum draws on sound scholarly sources and the best educational principles.
The development of the curriculum begins with a commissioned scholarly narrative on a topic area.
This scholarly narrative is then rewritten as an age-appropriate student reader. The student reader is
reviewed by various parties before a final version is produced. Responsibilities will include researching
content gaps in the narratives (based upon reviewers’ feedback), researching primary sources for
relevant quotes, writing additional paragraphs and content editing the scholarly narratives and the
student reader.
Main Duties and Responsibilities (or deliverables where self-employed)
1. Work with members of the Department of Curriculum Studies (DCS) team to conceptualise and
develop module outlines.
2. Collaborate with a team which includes writers, reviewers, researchers, and the Educational Editor
to deliver a high-quality product.
3. Rewrite and revise drafts of the scholarly narrative and student reader according to reviewers’
feedback, ensuring that comments are addressed and that the principles and aims of the curriculum
are reflected in the final student reader.
4. Understand and appreciate the civilisational and humanistic approach of the IIS secondary
curriculum to the history, ethics, culture, and thought of Islam and identify specific ways in which this
approach can be given practical application in the curriculum materials.
5. Liaise closely with the other departmental units, providing regular updates to the Head of the
Department.
6. Work with the Project Manager to plan the successful delivery of each student reader and prepare
progress reports for the Co-Directors and Board of Governors.
7. Provide suggestions for relevant academic resources to accompany the student reader.
8. Research and retrieve relevant primary sources to incorporate into the student reader, translating
passages if necessary.
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 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 with 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 help provide an environment where respect is shown to all.
Person Specification
A weighting figure is allocated to each requirement according to its relative importance to this role.
Low Importance
=
Medium Importance =
High Importance
=
1
2
3
Experience Required
Score
Researching content and writing narratives in the general area of Islamic studies
3
Researching content and writing narratives in the are of Shi‘i studies
3
Working with Islamic studies specialists in content editing materials
2
Working with educational textbook publishers.
2
Knowledge Requirements
Score
A PhD in Islamic Studies with a specialisation in Shi‘i history, thought, and culture.
3
Versatility in the application of social scientific and humanities perspectives to the
study of Islam.
2
A reading knowledge of classical Arabic and Persian
2
Main Skills and Abilities
Score
Ability to analyse and review, academic content from the perspectives of
recognised, authoritative scholarship in Islamic and Shi‘i Studies.
Ability to content edit and rewrite passages of the scholarly narrative and student
reader.
3
3
Ability to research primary and secondary sources for appropriate materials
3
Ability to write clearly and effectively
3