Asian University for Women (AUW)

Founded in 2008 and located in Chittagong, Bangladesh, AUW is the first of its kind: a regional institution dedicated to women’s education and leadership development through liberal arts and sciences education.  It is international in outlook but rooted in the contexts and aspirations of the people of Asia. Chartered by the Parliament of Bangladesh, AUW exists solely to support a rising network of women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across the region. It seeks out women who show significant academic achievement and potential, demonstrate courage and a sense of outrage at injustice, and are empathic to the woes of other people.

1500 students from 17 countries currently attend AUW: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and Yemen. More than 85% of AUW students are on full or near-full scholarships funded by supporters from around the world. The University has graduated over a thousand students to date. A majority of AUW graduates secure employment in the private and public sectors in their home countries while about 25% go on to pursue graduate studies at other institutions of higher learning including Oxford, Cambridge, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Columbia, Duke, Brandeis and Tufts, among others. To learn more about Asian University for Women, please visit https://asian-university.org.

AUW Lab School

In order to cater for diverse academic needs, especially those who’s secondary education has been disrupted, halted, or insufficient, AUW is creating a new lab school encompassing grades 7-12. The lab school will help provide (i) a more effective pathway for accessing education for girls unable to secure education at home; (ii) a high quality secondary school option for local residents of Chittagong, including children of AUW faculty; and (iii) opportunities for students enrolled in the Master’s in Education to gain practical experience in teaching and learning.

Excellence and Equity

The Asian University for Women is dedicated to the pursuit of the highest quality academic instruction possible, while maintaining a commitment to making this academic community accessible on an equitable basis to women of varying backgrounds. The university was founded on the belief that higher education is necessary for women to acquire the knowledge, skills, and networks often required for leadership. The University continually seeks to improve its academic program and the quality of faculty, courses, overall curriculum, and student accountability to ensure the best institutional performance possible.

The young women who come to AUW bring with them a multitude of ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds which are essential for the University’s vitality. AUW’s highest ideal in student selection and student learning is equity of access. In order for AUW to achieve its mission of cultivating the next generation of women leaders in Asia and the Middle East, the University must welcome talented women of any background. AUW’s students have overcome obstacles of poverty, war, and discrimination in their pursuit of higher education. The University firmly believes that no class of society has a monopoly on talent, and it is our collective responsibility to make education accessible on the equitable basis of merit.

The Asian University for Women appointed the Principal to lead the secondary school operations and professional services through this exciting next chapter of development and growth. The Principal will possess a strong track record of delivery in challenging, rapidly changing organizational contexts and a passion for the University’s mission and values. With extensive experience of leading academic services within complex organizations, the Principal will develop and implement robust processes, services and systems to support significant growth. They will be an adaptable, innovative, and values-driven leader with the ability to oversee the core administrative functions and work collaboratively with other senior leaders to deliver strategic priorities.

The position:

This is an original and unique opportunity for a highly experienced professional and talented Executive Assistant who is passionate, industrious, positive, and confident. The primary purpose of the role is to provide efficient, effective, quality, and confidential organizational and administration support to the Founding Principal.

Job Summary:

• To ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the Founding Principal’s office.
• Is the first point of contact for the Founding Principal when considering external stakeholders (Parents, Government Officials, Visitors)

Main Responsibilities:

• Manage communication to and from the Founding Principal’s Office
• Receive, type and format general office correspondence (letters, memos, reports).
• File and retrieve documents and reference material required by the Founding Principal
• Maintain the student and faculty handbooks
• Draft/Execute responses regarding executive functions
• Manage the Founding Principal’s appointments, daily agenda and calendar
• Receive telephone calls for the Founding Principal.
• Maintain, manage, and update the office records and management information system.
• provide data entry of all teaching and non-teaching staff records in the MIS.
• Maintain files of the former students and teachers.
• Compile a monthly teacher absence list.
• Manage the school email.
• Manage the student’s scholarship process.
• Issue former student transfer certificates.
• Maintain and issue former graduates’ transcripts.
• Supervise the weekly backup of computer data.
• Maintain the Alumni tracking list.
• Ensure the confidentiality of all office files.
• Format and forward the Monthly Reports to the Board.
• Responsible for keeping the common rooms’ schedule.
• Greet visitors and determine access to specific individuals
• Book flights and transportation for the Founding Principal
• Maintain the Academic calendar and update events in the school’s calendar
• Organize the Graduation and assist with the organization of school events
• Manage all logistical arrangements for any official purposes
• Any other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the Founding Principal

Admissions Duties (until an admissions manager is hired)

• Receive admissions forms from potential students
• Arrange for testing and admissions interviews
• Construct templates for acceptance and non-acceptance letters

HR Duties

• Placement of advertisements and job postings.
• Arranging interviews
• Prepare offer of employment letter for newly hired teacher and staff.
• Maintain all Job descriptions in a central place
• Preparing and maintaining employee files and electronic records for whole school

Community Responsibilities

A member of the AUW School Faculty is expected to:

• Positively promote the work of the school
• Provide positive adult role models for students
• Support colleagues and non-teaching staff in a team-oriented environment
• Actively engage in maintaining a safe and healthy learning and working environment

Skills and Qualifications

Qualifications Required:

• Graduate in Communications, Management, HR, or related field
• Minimum 3-5 years administrative experience
• Related work experience
• Organizational and time management skills
• Excellent Bangla and English verbal and written communication skills
• Computer proficiency in MS Office suite, Google Suite, and management information systems

Qualities Desired:

• Tact and diplomacy
• Efficient and effective
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information in relation to all aspects of the work
• Detailed oriented
• Discretion and trustworthiness
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Graciousness and mannerly
• Communication and conflict management
• Problem solving
• Excellent interpersonal skills