Position Details
School of Government
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £36,924
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2025
Closing date: 11th December 2024
This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.
Background
To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within the ‘Making aid work for displaced women’ UKRI FLF research initiative.
This role will support the implementation of the UKRI funded research initiative “Making aid work for displaced women: Integrating Islamic philanthropy and the international humanitarian system to improve outcomes for women”. The post holder will contribute to the initiative’s work package 1: “Understanding (dis)connections between Islamic philanthropy and international humanitarian sector, and faith ethics”. Specifically, the post holder will work on the Islamic law/ethical analysis and will organise an international seminar to improve understanding of the relationship between Islamic philanthropy and displaced women’s protection by drawing on Islamic humanitarian law and Islamic ethics of displaced women’s protection.
An ideal candidate will have an excellent knowledge of Islamic social finance with a focus on Islamic philanthropy principles, and gender and theological analysis. They will have outstanding analytical skills, a proven experience in developing new frameworks, producing high-quality publications, organising events and public engagement. Proficiency in Arabic is a valuable asset.
The School of Government is intellectually vibrant with an excellent record in both research and teaching. It provides a supportive environment, enabling colleagues to engage internationally, build networks and deliver excellent teaching and research. Resources are available to facilitate research, grant capture, and impact and engagement activities. Staff are encouraged and supported to be innovative in their teaching, enabling students to thrive and build firm foundations in the discipline.
The School of Government comprises the Department of Political Science and International Studies, the Department of Public Administration and Policy (formerly Institute of Local Government Studies), and the International Development Department. We are one of the largest Schools of Government in the United Kingdom – home to more than 90 full-time academic staff, more than 1,500 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and more than 70 doctoral researchers.
Role Summary
- Work within ‘Making aid work for displaced women’ UKRI FLF research initiative and contribute to producing project outputs.
- Operate at the intersection of Islamic social finance (philanthropy), gender and theological analysis in the context of displacement
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results
- Contribute to publications and presentations, organising events, and producing outcome documents
- Contribute to any potential spin out projects and public understanding of the discipline
‘Making aid work for displaced women: Integrating Islamic philanthropy and the international humanitarian system to improve outcomes for women’ is an interdisciplinary and transformative research initiative, funded by UKRI FLF, which aims to better understand how Islamic philanthropy can be leveraged to improve humanitarian work and address the complex and intersecting needs of displaced women. Connecting humanitarian, migration and religious systems, the project seeks to develop innovative conceptual and financing solutions to support displaced women by pairing different aid paradigms.
The post will be term-fixed (12 months), but an incoming secondment can also be considered.
Main Duties
- Conduct semi-structured literature reviews
- Analyse and interpret data
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops a new intellectual understanding
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters to disseminate research findings
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
- Contribute to enterprise and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students or interns who may be assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- Excellent knowledge of Islamic social finance with a focus on philanthropy principles, women’s inclusion and empowerment, theological and gender analysis
- A higher degree relevant to the research area or equivalent qualifications, first degree in area of specialism
- High-level analytical capabilities
- Proven experience in producing high-quality reports and briefings
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to difference audiences
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
- Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
- Proficiency in Arabic is a valuable asset
Informal enquiries to Dr Sandra Pertek, email: s.m.pertek.1@bham.ac.uk
We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.