FACULTY OF ART, DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE (FADA)
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
RESEARCH AND PROJECT COORDINATOR VISUAL IDENTITIES IN ART AND DESIGN (VIAD) RESEARCH CENTRE
VIAD is an internationally esteemed Research Centre dealing with the overarching thematic of identity construction in visual representation, focusing on African and African-diasporic art.
We are looking to appoint a Research and Project Coordinator who can deliver work of an exceptionally high professional standard; pays keen attention to detail; has excellent communication and inter-personal skills; strong planning, organisational, and administrative abilities; as well as good time management skills. The candidate must be able to work well
under pressure; work independently and as part of a team and be flexible in relation to changing circumstances. They must be a self-motivated, proactive, strategic, and creative thinker, with a highly self-disciplined work ethic and a willingness to adhere to institutional policies and protocols.
The appointment will start on 10 January 2023 and run to 10 December 2023, with a 6-month probation period. Thereafter, renewable annual contracts or longer-term contracts can be considered.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The successful incumbent will be responsible for the management, facilitation, and execution of all aspects of VIAD projects from inception to completion. These local and international projects include conversational platforms, panel discussions, conferences, events, scholarly publications, public programmes and exhibitions, presented online, physically, or as hybrid combinations.
Project Coordination
This involves working with the VIAD Director/s and team to conceptualise project thematics, aims, logistics and desired outcomes; drawing up and monitoring detailed timelines and budgets; liaising with external partners, project participants, and
suppliers; managing research assistants and interns; coordinating project logistics and delivering project reports.
Research
This involves conducting academic/theoretical research into project thematics; gathering information on artists and scholars working in these areas; sourcing relevant reading materials; drafting framing texts and project briefs; giving conceptual
input on essays, articles, and other written materials; proofreading and copy-editing documents; conducting, facilitating and/or moderating panel discussions, public presentations and exhibition walkabouts; identifying peer-reviewers and overseeing
peer-review processes; and conducting personal research (creative or textual) towards research outputs.
General
This involves contributing to or writing of reports, contracts, VIAD policy documents and funding applications; identifying funding sources; establishing strong relationships with VIAD Research Associates, Visiting Professors, Professors of Practice, Artists-in-Residence, and Post-Doctoral Fellows; liaising with FADA staff members, staff in other UJ Faculties and institutions, as well as individuals in internal and external Research Centres and cultural organisations, with a view to setting up collaborations.
Requirements
A post-graduate degree (MA, MFA, MTech, MVA) in Visual Arts or related fields; in- depth knowledge of contemporary African and Afro-diasporic visual representation; strong involvement in local and international academic and artistic communities; an
understanding of traditional and practice-led research in visual representation; fluency in written and verbal English and at least one African language; the ability to work remotely; experience of working in a university context and proficiency in working with
Microsoft Office 365.
Recommendations
A PhD in a Visual Art-related field (completed or in progress); curatorial or gallery experience; established networks in local and international art and academic communities, particularly on the African continent; design skills and working knowledge of Adobe In-Design, Photoshop, Acrobat and Premiere Pro would all be advantageous.
