January 06 2025

Deadline:

The Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture (KCAC) is seeking a Department Coordinator and Research Assistant for our Department of Public Impact. Please read below to learn more about the department’s objectives and the roles and responsibilities of the Department Coordinator and Research Assistant position.

About the Department of Public Impact

The department shares and further establishes the overall mission of KCAC through extensive community engagement and collective impact. We seek to shed light on the everyday enactments of culture and promote cultural accessibility and exposure. In line with KCAC’s vision, the department aims to vibrantly showcase and celebrate the cultural paradigms of all peoples of our region alike. We aim to ensure equity in knowledge making and discourse, while enriching the global narratives of the culture of the region. At the core of the departments’ mission, is a decolonial framework of thought. Whereby narratives rooted in conflict are challenged and Kurdistan is acknowledged across borders and light is shed upon the intricacies of the migration patterns globally. Furthermore, to foster a sense of shared interfaith and interethnic cultural identity. The department also facilitates public integration for all of KCAC’s creative projects. It acts as an avenue for reimagination, immersion, and cultural outreach for emerging creative industries.

Key Department Objectives 

• Community Engagement: Build partnerships and programs that engage diverse communities through creative endeavours and educational initiatives.
• Impact Assessment: Measure the institution’s cultural, social, and political contributions through a SMART assessment. 
• Innovation in the Public Sphere: Facilitate innovative and collaborative initiatives across sectors that use art and heritage to address policy, societal challenges and political deadlocks. 
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure initiatives are inclusive, dedicated to, and accessible to all.
• Sustainability: Initiatives to minimize the environmental footprint of public projects.

Overview of Position

The coordinator and research assistant is a supportive role to the Director of Public Projects; and will typically assist in day to day administrative tasks, public outreach, furthermore, assist in research, planning, and implementation for projects and initiatives. All responsibilities will be carried out in partnership with the Director and other team members. 

This is a full-time, in-office position, 09:00 to 17:00, with Fridays and Saturdays off.

Location: Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Administration and Coordination 

• Email drafting and day to day correspondence.
• Agenda setting and meeting scheduling.
• Produce reports on project development, briefs, and meeting minutes.
• Act as the point of contact between the director and external contacts where necessary. 
• Work closely with the communications team and other creative departments on shared projects. 
• Coordinate with third party providers on deliveries and deadlines.

Research 

• Project analysis, post implementation reflections.
• Impact measurement. 
• Engagement with and summarizing of the literature, project oriented and in the general up and coming sphere of cultural impact.
• Organizing, conducting, transcribing and translating qualitative interviews when necessary.
• Analysis of interviews.
• Assisting the director in preparing academic research and publications
• Brief overviews of cultural developments globally. 
• Conduct research on institutions and opportunities for the departments ensuring progressive outreach. 

Skills and Requirements 

Necessary Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent research skills in qualitative and quantitative studies.
• Strong multicultural awareness.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Tech-savvy, Microsoft Office proficient.
• Active listening and good communication skills.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to multitask.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills.
• Decisive and priority minded.
• Alert and detail-oriented.
• Discretion and confidentiality.
• Interest and willingness to learn more about the cultural scene in Kurdistan. 
• Excellent written and verbal skills in English, Kurdish and Arabic is an advantage. 

Adequate background in research and development, as stated above in the section on skills, an understanding of mixed methods is appreciated. This is an advantage. 

Education and Training: 

• An undergraduate degree in a related field of the social sciences or management. 
• Either received a postgraduate degree in related fields or enrolled in a postgraduate degree to be completed in under a year from the start date.

Interested candidates are asked to send their resume and cover letter to information@kcac.org.