Conference Program Fellow

Conference Program Fellow
Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Inc.
New York, NY

The Wenner-Gren Foundation is a private operating foundation dedicated to the advancement of anthropology throughout the world.  Located in New York City, it is one of the major international funding sources for anthropological research and is actively engaged with the anthropological community through its grant, fellowship, conference, publication, and capacity building programs. We are committed to playing a leadership role in anthropology.  We help anthropologists advance anthropological knowledge, build sustainable careers, and amplify the impact of anthropology within the wider world. We are dedicated to broadening the conversation in anthropology to reflect the full diversity of the field.

The Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive work environment and seeks to recruit from a broad pool of talented candidates. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. Addressing the precarity of anthropology and anthropologists is a key element of our mission.  We have designed this position in this spirit. Our aim is to hire a recent doctorate in anthropology who wishes to make service to the discipline an integral part of their career.

Fellowship Opportunity

The Conference Program Fellowship is a two-year paid fellowship. The Fellow will play a pivotal role in Wenner-Gren’s broad slate of academic gatherings.  As an integral member of a small, hardworking team, the Fellow coordinates the Conference and Workshop Program, which provides funding to organizers of small working sessions and major international meetings, and works with the President to plan and host Wenner-Gren’s Symposia and Seminars, which are designed to foster new conversations in anthropology and lead the discipline into new terrain.  In these times of crisis and transformation, the Fellow also participates in organizing and supporting webinars for the public and the broader community of anthropologists, an arena in which the Foundation has a commitment to playing a leadership role.  This position involves intensive interaction with the Foundation’s Advisory Council, which includes leading anthropologists from different subfields, regions, and traditions of scholarship.  The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in anthropology, be intellectually curious, discerning, and strongly committed to inclusion and racial justice, and have an expansive vision of the discipline.  This individual will also be exceedingly well-organized and collegial, and have experience executing administrative tasks.  The Conference Program Fellow must be an excellent writer, have extraordinary interpersonal skills, and enjoy serving and collaborating with a diverse community of scholars and professionals.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee Conference and Workshop Grant Program:

• Field inquiries.
• Participate in application review process, collate results, and rank proposals.
• Cooperate with President in final selection.
• Communicate results with applicants.
• Administer grants and evaluate final reports.
• Update web information and application materials.
• Participate in program evaluation and long-term planning.

Oversee Wenner-Gren Symposia:

• Publicize program and field inquiries
• Receive and circulate letters of intent with President and Advisory Council.
• Collect, collate, and circulate feedback from Advisory Council.
• Participate in discussion of proposed themes at Advisory Council meeting.
• Cooperate with President in theme selection and the recruitment of organizers.
• Research possible sites, cooperate with President in venue selection, and manage all communications with hotels and vendors.
• Organize virtual and in person meetings with organizers. Participate in discussion of format, venue, and process for refining the theme and selecting participants and paper topics.
• Manage communications with participants and organizers.
• Manage travel arrangements for participants and organizers.
• Collaborate with President and organizers to plan supplemental activities.
• Join President in representing the Foundation at event. Document proceedings.  Serve as liaison for hotel management and vendors.  Take responsibility for all logistical arrangements and address any issues that arise.
• Oversee preparation of Symposium papers for publication in Current Anthropology. Recruit reviewers and oversee review process.  Manage deadlines.  Coordinate with organizers, journal editors and staff.
• Update web information.
• Participate in program evaluation and long-term planning.

Oversee Wenner-Gren Seminars:

• Publicize program and field inquiries.
• Receive and circulate letters of intent with President and Advisory Council.
• Collect, collate, and circulate feedback from Advisory Council.
• Participate in discussion of proposed topics at Advisory Council meeting.
• Cooperate with President in theme selection and recruitment of organizers.
• Research possible sites, cooperate with President in venue selection, and manage all communications with hotels and vendors.
• Research and brainstorm with President on possible formats.
• Organize virtual and in person meetings with organizers. Participate in discussion of format, venue, and theme and help the group arrive at a process for developing a list of senior participants, a process for recruiting junior participants, and a description of the roles each participant will play.
• Manage recruitment of junior participants.
• Manage communications with participants and organizers.
• Manage travel arrangements for participants and organizers.
• Collaborate with President and organizers to plan supplemental activities.
• Join President in representing the Foundation at event. Document proceedings.  Serve as liaison for hotel management and vendors.  Take responsibility for all logistical arrangements and address any issues that arise.
• Coordinate follow-up.
• Update web information.
• Collaborate with President in program evaluation and long-term planning.

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD or ABD in anthropology or closely aligned discipline.
• Track record of service to anthropology.
• Track record of success in fostering conversation in diverse groups.
• Proven commitment to an inclusive vision of anthropology.
• Experience in event planning and management.
• Self-starter with a high degree of energy and careful attention to detail.
• Highly flexible, creative problem solver, with a strong ability to multi-task.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent social media skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• High level of professionalism and demonstrated good judgement.
• Superb organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient or advanced skill in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Proficient skill or willingness to learn Salesforce and other event management tools.

Compensation

Salary is competitive.  The Foundation provides a generous benefits package, which includes 401(k) plan, health insurance, group term life and disability insurance, paid time off and flexible work arrangements.

How to Apply

Applications for the fellowship are being accepted online via Ziprecruiter.com, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/ad83eaaf.  You will be asked to upload your curriculum vitae or resume and a letter of interest. In the letter of interest, please comment on how your experience and professional aspirations are a good match for this fellowship.

Applications will be accepted until August 15, 2020.  Due to the expected high volume of applications for the fellowship, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  The anticipated start date of the fellowship is on or before October 1, 2020.

Acknowledging the precarity faced by many early career anthropologists, the Foundation has designed the fellowship to meet the needs of scholars for whom relocation can be a hardship.  Fellows choose between telecommuting or working at the Foundation’s headquarters in New York City.   Please note that candidates must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. Wenner-Gren does not provide visa sponsorship for employment.