Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The University Collaboration Specialist plays a critical role in fostering and advancing strategic academic alliances and research collaborations. This position supports the implementation of partnership-driven initiatives that align with MBZUAI’s mission to lead AI research and education globally. The role bridges academic institutions, research centers, and external stakeholders to cultivate joint ventures, promote scholarly exchange, and enhance institutional research capacity.
Key Responsibilities:
Provides administrative and appropriate levels of programmatic management support to the Head of University Collaboration regarding all ongoing and prospective collaboration programs’ activities while maintaining and implementing appropriate standards and best practices.
Collaboration Management:
- Support the Head of University Collaboration in the evaluation of collaboration programs by analyzing performance metrics, resource allocations, and budget utilization; identify opportunities for refinement and strategic alignment.
- Carry out research and prepare informative reports, including financial analyses, to assist MBZUAI assess potential research collaborations and partnerships against its research priorities and strategic objectives.
- Coordinate bilateral and multilateral academic activities such as research partnerships, faculty and student exchange programs, joint academic offerings, and thematic initiatives.
- Act as a liaison between institutions, departments, investigators and external stakeholders.
- Disseminate collaboration opportunities to inter-institutional stakeholders (research groups, Faculty, researchers and Students).
- Support the execution of all collaboration initiatives.
- Ensure consistent, transparent communication and coordination between all collaborators and departments.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Initiate and conduct periodic progress reporting of projects, assessing and tracking expected outcomes and making adjustments as needed.
- Coordinate with all internal and external stakeholders to ensure collaborative projects and collaboration activities are
- Maintain records of partnerships, report on outcomes and metrics and provide insights on the effectiveness of collaboration efforts.
- Implement and maintain a tracking system for all collaboration related activities, expected outcomes and key indicators providing strategic views and insights on all collaboration programs to senior management.
- Promoting and disseminating research outputs and project outcomes to relevant stakeholders.
Event and Visits Coordination:
- Support the planning, organization and execution of academic conferences, symposia, workshops, partnership meetings and other collaboration related events.
- Coordinate visits by Faculty, Researchers and Students.
Project Coordination:
- Support the Head of University Collaboration in managing collaborative projects, ensuring timelines, and meeting deliverables.
- Assist and support the university collaboration program Governance teams in planning, organizing and executing program activities.
- Support the head of University Collaboration in developing efficient processes using technology systems, for all university collaboration programs.
- Respond to enquiries from all relevant stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
Ensuring Compliance:
- Develop workflows and implement processes to ensure that all collaboration activities adhere to university policies, regulations and ethical guidelines.
Academic Qualifications:
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education, or related discipline).
Preferred
- Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as business administration, finance, public administration, or a related discipline.
Professional Experience:
- At least two years’ experience supporting research administration in a higher education or research institution setting.
- Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, analytics, and reporting.
- Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Proven track record of successful relationship management with diverse stakeholders, both internal and external.
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of continuous quality improvement.
- Experience managing meeting logistics and administration, and hosting organization visitors.
- Proven record of managing complex projects, meeting deadlines, and achieving results.
