Call for applications: Head of Pro Helvetia Cairo office in Egypt

Pro Helvetia Cairo is one of the Swiss Arts Council representations abroad. It supports and disseminates Swiss arts and culture in the Arab region in the following ways:

• Promotion of cultural exchange.
• Development and nurturing of long-term partnerships.
• Initiation of co-productions and support for residencies.

“Pro Helvetia is committed to diversity and equal opportunities in its teams,” the arts foundation said. “We promote professional equality of all genders and lifestyles. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to receive applications from people with a different social and cultural background who are not yet part of Pro Helvetia.”

The ideal candidate will have experience in cultural project management and administrative work, including financial management and accounting expertise. They will be responsible for the following countries: 

• Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and strategically develop the foundation’s activities in Egypt and the Arab world.
• Develop and monitor annual programme, process applications in all art disciplines (except film) in collaboration with the specialists at the head office in Switzerland, and ensure the head office activities’ accurate reporting.
• Build new and expand the office’s existing networks within the arts sector in Egypt, Arab countries and Switzerland and maintain relations with other foreign arts councils, Swiss representations (Swiss embassies and consulates) and regional arts and cultural bodies.
• Promote, stimulate and support (in cooperation with cultural actors and partners from the region) artistic/cultural projects with Swiss content and cultural exchange activities with Swiss and Arab participants.
• Oversee the communication strategy of the office.

Requirements 

• University degree or equivalent education.
• Competence in conceptual thinking and willingness to take on responsibilities.
• Excellent communication and networking skills.
• Experience in cultural project management and administrative work, including expertise in financial management and accounting.
• Knowledge of Egypt’s contemporary cultural scenes and the Arab world and professional experience within at least one artistic discipline.
• Familiarity with the international art environment and strong cross-cultural sensibilities.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Knowledge of German and/or French is an asset.
• Experience with the production of cultural events.
• Experience in personnel management, excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and willingness to work hands-on.

How to apply

Send your CV and a short motivation letter plus relevant educational certificates or reference letters – preferably in three files and at least two contactable references to application@prohelvetia.ch no later than 20 January 2021, mentioning Head Cairo as the email subject.

Note:

• Incomplete applications will be disregarded.
• Applicants will receive a confirmation letter that the application is received.

For more information about this call, send an email to mlautner@prohelvetia.ch.

View the original job posting here.