The Editorial Board of African Theology Worldwide is engaged in a search for a Regional Project Coordinator and future Regional Project Leader.
Description of ATW
Developed in collaboration with scholars and librarians in Africa and around the globe, African Theology Worldwide is a growing, freely accessible online platform for African Christian Theology that supports students and researchers in Africa and worldwide. The site contains a large number of bibliographies, a growing number of bibliographical articles, an internet portal, research guide and blog. Since it was launched in March 2021, it has become a leading resource for the online research of African biblical studies, Christianity, theology, mission and socio-political issues, with about half of its users coming from the continent and half from other parts of the world. The website currently works with an English interface and mainly English materials. A French section will be launched in the summer of 2024.
The development of the website was supported by the Protestant Theological University and generously funded by the John Templeton Foundation and other donors. Recently, funding has become available for a period of 4 years for the second stage of its development. For this coming period, we are looking for one fulltime or two parttime team members based in Africa who will further develop the resources on the website and the network of users, contributors and supporters. It is hoped that after two years, the new appointee can take over the role of Regional Project Leader.
Description of the job and team
The project is overseen by an international Editorial Board with representatives from different regions of Anglophone and Francophone Africa. An Editorial Committee of four members from the Editorial Board follows the project more closely on behalf of the Editorial Board and reports to the Editorial Board. The Editorial team currently consists of a Project Director/Editor-in-Chief and a Website Manager/Production Editor (both parttime) supported by several student assistants and based at the Protestant Theological University in the Netherlands. We are searching for a new team member to be based at a theological institution in sub-Saharan Africa. The new appointee will help develop the content and the network of users, contributors and supporters of the website. In the coming years, we intend to develop the website so that its content covers most courses that are part of different theological curricula in Anglophone and Francophone Africa.
The preference of the Editorial Board is to appoint one fulltime collaborator, but we are open to consider two part time appointments if this allows us to better cover the different skills (including the coverage of French and English) needed for this position.
Tasks
In collaboration with the Editorial Team in the Netherlands and the Editorial Committee:
- Developing the network with institutions, networks and accrediting agencies that help to relate further development of the website more closely to the curricula of theological institutions
- Inviting appropriate contributions to the various sections of the website and taking an active role in developing, editing and publishing these contributions
- Maintaining relevant sections of the website
- Contributing articles, bibliographies and other items to the website
- Leading and organizing webinars that support the use of online resources for the study and research of African Christianity and theology through the Internet
- Developing and maintaining the network of users, contributors and supporters
After the first two years the following tasks can be added:
- The leadership of the project in close collaboration with the Project Director/Editor-in-Chief, the Website Manager/Production Editor, and the Editorial Committee.
- Maintaining and developing partnerships with academic institutions and donors
- Maintaining and developing other networks related to the website
Qualifications and qualities
- A PhD in theology
- Excellent writing skills
- Excellent editing skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Preferably the ability to function in both French and English
- Excellent IT skills
- Agreement with the vision and values of the project
- Highly motivated
- Able to work well independently and in a team
- Well-organised
- A meticulous person as is required by the nature of the website (think of the bibliographies)
- A careful listener
- A good networker and able to motivate others
- A servant attitude
Employment conditions
It is not yet decided where in sub-Saharan Africa the candidate will be based, but we are in contact with several academic institutions that are willing to host this position. We offer:
- An exciting position that allows the candidate to contribute significantly to theological education and research in Africa and to sharing Africa’s rich theological resources worldwide.
- A salary at the level of a Research Fellow, the level of which will depend on the institution where the person will be based, up to a maximum of a total pay package of €1000,- per month for the first year.
- A one-year contract (with a trial period) that can be extended for another year, and in case of available funds and adequate performance can be prolonged for another two years in a new role as Regional Project Leader.
- A position that allows for personal, professional and academic development
- Embedding in a local and international academic community and network
Application procedure
Candidates interested in the position should send a motivation letter, CV, and two names of references (one academic and one personal) to
Search committee: Prof. Dr Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Prof. Dr Elizabeth Mburu, Prof. Dr Benno van den Toren.
Start date: 1 October 2024 or later, if needed.
