The Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM), located in Tangier, Morocco, is the only U.S. National Historic Landmark outside the United States and its possessions. TALIM is also an American Overseas Research Center and affiliated with the American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS). TALIM invites applications for the position of Resident Director (RD).
TALIM is housed in a spacious historic building in the old city (medina) of Tangier, given by the Sultan of Morocco as a gift to the U.S. in 1821. It functions as a museum, research library, conference facility, and community center, and hosts a range of cultural and youth-oriented programs.
TALIM’s RD serves as liaison between American and Moroccan scholars, administers AIMS grants and programs in Morocco, and cooperates with other AIMS centers in North Africa. The RD also oversees an active outreach program including cultural performances at the Legation, multi-platform digital outreach, and youth engagement, some of which are supported through U.S. Embassy grants.
The RD acts in a representational capacity in Morocco and abroad, conserves and operates an historic building, activates and directs community outreach programs, raises funds, and interacts effectively with the international academic community. The RD must have a sufficient understanding of U.S. embassy operations to engage effectively with the Embassy on matters of visitor and representational programs, grant opportunities, maintenance, and other issues.
TALIM is supported by private contributions and by AIMS; maintenance of the building is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Morocco and partially overseen by the RD. The RD supervises a staff of associate director, librarian / administrative assistant, curator, two program staffers, and three maintenance staff members, and is responsible to a Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, centered in Washington DC.
The successful applicant should have executive and other leadership/cross-cultural management skills in the Middle East – North Africa region, preferably in the Maghrib, and be fluent in English and French. Arabic is highly desirable. Candidates with previous experience working with the State Department, and/or regional experience in grants or museum management, cultural, community and educational outreach programming are strongly encouraged to apply.
The applicant should also have program (not just personal) experience with digital communication platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Salary is modest and TALIM does not provide pension or medical benefits; the position is thus particularly suitable for a retiree with a supplementary income and benefits. Housing is provided without cost in an apartment within the Legation. Travel to Board meetings in the U.S. is normally provided twice a year.
Please send a statement of interest and qualifications and a current c.v. or resume to Mary Jeffers, TALIM Board Vice-President and Chair, RD Recruitment Committee, at TALIMRecruitment@gmail.com. The position start date is negotiable from October 1, 2021 until December 1, 2021. Review of applications begins on December 15, 2020. Applications should be submitted no later than January 30, 2021. TALIM is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law