NASA-USAID SERVIR Continental Coordinator (Eastern & Southern Africa and West Africa)

Job Description

Summary:

SERVIR is a joint development initiative of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and works in partnership with leading regional organizations world-wide to help developing countries use information provided by Earth-observing satellites and geospatial technologies for managing climate risks and land use. SERVIR’s goal is to empower decision-makers with tools, products, and services to act locally on climate-sensitive issues such as disasters, agriculture, water, and ecosystems and land use.

The SERVIR Science Coordination Office (SCO) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is seeking an experienced program manager/continental coordinator to support hubs and ongoing projects in Eastern & Southern Africa and West Africa. The position will complement a large and dynamic applied sciences group and, as a core member of the SCO team, this position will oversee SERVIR Science-for-Development activities over the continent of Africa. The incumbent will have deep experience in the region, a desire to provide thought leadership and strategic planning to achieve NASA and USAID goals, strong background in theoretical and practical aspects of international development, as well as practical experience in coordinating or managing large, multi-institutional teams. The position will work alongside colleagues at SCO as well as NASA, USAID, and other partner organizations and will entail domestic and international travel.

The Continental Coordinator for Africa will oversee all activities related to Science-for-Development across multiple SERVIR hubs and projects in the region. This includes coordination with international partners, subject matter experts, and the science team in Huntsville to manage the progression of services and activities. The incumbent will also work closely with NASA and USAID to design, review, and provide feedback on workplans for international hubs. The incumbent must effectively represent the SERVIR program office, SCO, and the international hubs in a variety of venues, including internal communication to NASA and USAID leadership and outward-facing communication for general, scientific, and other audiences. The continental coordinator will also be the lead for NASA and SERVIR’s presence at relevant events across the region, and will support the hubs’ coordination, communication, and collaboration with other relevant global/regional initiatives (e.g., GEO, Digital Earth Africa, etc.). The candidate will be expected to maintain professional development activities relevant to their region and area of expertise, as well as to build or refine other skillsets as necessary and required for the position. The SERVIR SCO in Huntsville offers a flexible and dynamic work environment, with an in-house team of over 30 science professionals and numerous opportunities for growth and professional development. With a growing economy, diverse population, low cost of living, and vibrant city life, Huntsville is consistently ranked among the top places to live in the U.S.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversee Science-for-Development over multiple SERVIR hubs and projects in Africa
• Identify opportunities for science support and service development by maintaining active communication and collaboration with regional partners
• Leverage background and experience in international development thought and practice to lead strategic engagement initiatives across Africa
• Regular coordination w/ hubs, Applied Science Team (AST), and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on status and progression of services and activities
• Primary SCO reviewer of hub work plans as well as primary author for SCO work plan sections pertaining to Africa, ensuring NASA feedback is integrated and harmonized
• Work with Thematic and Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) teams to identify SCO direct science & GIT support, SMEs, and Technical Assessment Groups
• Communicate frequently within SCO for cross-regional and thematic awareness and reporting, and with the USAID-funded SERVIR Support Team (SST) as appropriate (e.g., Knowledge Management; Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning)
• Manage internal and external communications through use cases, impact stories, events, and reporting to NASA HQ and USAID
• Lead NASA’s presence for SERVIR-related events in Africa
• Support hub and project coordination, communication, and collaboration with other relevant global/regional initiatives

Key Requirements and Education:

• Master’s degree in international development, project management, earth sciences, or social sciences
• Advanced expertise in regional/international development issues, including geopolitics and landscape of relevant organizations
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Experience leading complex projects with multiple institutions
• Willingness to work closely with others in diverse team environments
• Periodic international and domestic travel are a requirement of the position
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity pertinent to diverse SERVIR regions and supporting locally-led development
• Familiarity with applied EO science/geospatial technology
• Project management skills, including communication, coordination, problem solving and teamwork skills related to technical, schedule, and/or budget oversight
• Language(s) relevant to SERVIR regions in Africa (English, French)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working on development issues, especially focused in Africa

Direct link to position on UAH website: https://careers.uah.edu/cw/en-us/job/499494/research-program-manager-i-servir-continental-coordinator-africa

Please note, job openings are posted for a minimum of three (3) business days and may be removed from the job posting board and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OF MINORITIES/FEMALES/VETERANS/DISABLED