Manager, Global Biodiversity & Resilience Programs (IS-0340-14)

Company: Smithsonian Institution
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 1, 2025

Job Description:

Manager, Global Biodiversity & Resilience Programs (IS-0340-14)Application Deadline: 24 January 2025Department: Office of Global AffairsEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Washington, DCReporting To: Deputy Director, Office of Global AffairsCompensation: $139,395 - $181,216 / yearDescriptionOPEN DATE: January 6, 2024CLOSING DATE: January 24, 2024POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: IndefiniteSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DCPosition sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Moderate RiskOpen to all qualified applicantsWhat are Trust Fund Positions?Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.Note: The official position title is Program Manager, and the working title is Manager, Global Biodiversity & Resilience Programs.OVERVIEWThis position is located organizationally in the Office of Global Affairs (OGA), Office of the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, Smithsonian Institution (SI). SI is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge; OGA's mission is to:
  • serve as the central point for Institution-wide advice, insight, analysis and coordination of SI's international activities
  • provide central external representation of international programs
  • lead institutional relationships with U.S. government and international organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development and foreign embassies
  • build new opportunities to expand international programs
  • work in concert with leadership of other museums and programs in setting SI's international strategy
  • develop new programs and communicate organization impactThis position supports SI's portfolio of global science projects and guides key initiatives within OGA's opportunity and program development efforts in international science, particularly in biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.The incumbent will collaborate with staff within OGA and the wider Institution across all efforts at overall international project and partner management as well as building new global programs and establishing new global relationships for the Smithsonian. Given the diversity of activities within the Institution, they will grasp the nature of international work in the areas of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, with a particular appreciation for and understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to include culture, the arts and education (including public programming for museums) as it relates to these topics. This position may have 1-2 direct reports in the coming year or two and possibly more as we grow our project and program portfolio in these thematic areas.SI is a global organization, working across art, history, culture, science, and education in more than 130 countries around the world. Whether assisting in the rescue of cultural treasures following a natural disaster or conducting cutting-edge scientific research for biodiversity conservation, our scholars and professionals are engaged throughout the world to explore, care for, and support our global cultural and natural heritage - all in the service of the Smithsonian's mission: the increase and diffusion of knowledge.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESProgram Development
    • Acts as OGA's entrepreneur in developing a keen understanding of SI's core competencies and areas of opportunity. Proactively engages potential growth areas to develop new, innovative and potentially large, research-driven and impact-oriented programs. Leads the identification, shepherding and oversight of new program development efforts from partner outreach through proposal capture and eventual program management.
    • Maintains a thorough understanding of SI's technical capabilities in biodiversity conservation and climate science/resilience/adaptation. Builds strong relationships with key science units/scientists/experts across SI. Showcases SI's experience and knowledge in science-focused proposals. Participates substantively in networking events and offers key subject matter to relevant global convenings;
    • Participate in OGA and SI pan-Institutional discussions to support the development and implementation and management of SI's global strategy around biodiversity and climate science. Leads and contributes at a senior level to opportunity development efforts that build SI's international project portfolio in biodiversity conservation and climate. Expands SI's areas of priority research and community-focused capacity building. Explores multi-disciplinary projects that leverage SI expertise outside of biodiversity conservation and climate science/resilience.
    • Develops and stewards key partnerships that expand the reach and impact of SI's work, yield compelling proposal and program development opportunities and expand opportunities for SI to co-design new research and programming. Expands SI's pipeline of new project opportunities via outreach to new funders/partners with a particular emphasis on key European donors (E.U. agencies, German ministries, IKI, Norway, France, etc.).
    • Manages proposal processes from inception/conceptualization to capture. Writes sections of, or entire, technical proposals for international opportunities. Reviews and develops cost proposals and budget narratives, in coordination with SI's Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), for new international opportunities.
    • Leads and/or carries out recruitment efforts to bring in internal and external staff into new international opportunities. Builds a portfolio of science - biodiversity and climate-focused - projects and programs that are managed through and/or supported directly by OGA, engage priority partners, and that advance the priorities of key strategic initiatives. Collaborates with OGA's Manager, Global Cultural Programs, and others exploring opportunities to integrate biodiversity conservation and climate science/resilience/adaptations expertise into OGA's existing portfolio of capacity building and exchange programs focused on museums.
    • Represents SI and work/research of units/principal investigators (PIs) at global convenings: speaking opportunities; panels; and strategy meetings. Communicates with non-science SI units to consider ways to leverage SI's biodiversity conservation and climate science/resilience/adaptation in other existing education or exchange efforts.Direct Support to SI Science Units
      • Promotes implementation of key international projects within OGA and in SI's larger portfolio, mainly in the areas of biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Leads and contributes at a senior level to program efforts ranging from small, directed activities with finite timelines and specific outputs to larger, impact-driven, multi-year, multi-million dollar and pan-Institutional programs. Works with PIs to finalize technical work plans and lead technical strategy sessions (both in-country and from Washington, DC) related to science, biodiversity conservation and climate, ensuring they fit within SI's mission and strategic plan and are based on best practices. Works with PIs and other teams within SI to prepare technical reports for internal audiences. Coordinates compliance with donor reporting requirements. Showcases the work that SI scientists are doing on the ground.
      • Maintains continual communications with project teams, both in DC and in the field, by leading meetings and conference calls, sharing project information and requesting and incorporating input into reports. Builds and maintains relationships with donors/partners funding SI's international work, such as USAID, State Department and World Bank. Works collaboratively with the Office of Advancement (OA) and Under Secretaries to build and steward donor relationships that are cross-cutting and pan-Institutional. Drafts and reviews scopes of work (SOW) for short-term assignments for SI technical specialists and consultants. Ensures assignments are carried out in accordance with SOWs and deliverables submitted timely. Coordinate closely with PIs and program leads to ensure project activities are implemented in accordance with annual work plans and that projects are meeting goals and objectives as set forth in funder agreements. Establishes and builds relationships with SI support units dealing with issues related to grants, contracts, office management, finance and personnel. Establishes and builds relationships with SI science and technical units. Oversees projects and proposal management. Attends and represents OGA and SI at large at key external events, trainings, conferences, panels and speaking opportunities.Supervision
        • Supervises a small group of project and program employees. Assigns projects and tasks, provides technical work direction, prepares performance plans and completes performance appraisals. Facilitates training and professional development of staff. Approves work schedules, leave, overtime and compensatory time. Resolves conflicts, initiates disciplinary actions and nominates staff for awards due to exceptional performance. Supports policies regarding maintaining workforce diversity, equal employment opportunity and the maintenance of a safe workplace environment.
        • Performs other duties as assigned.Other Important Facts
          • Requires availability for domestic and international travel up to 30%. Requires availability for recurring work hours outside of the standard work day.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
            • Expert skill working with international conservation and science organizations on project management, design, fundraising and strategy. Expert skill working internationally and in low- or middle-income country context.
            • Expert ability to work as part of a large team and, when appropriate, to lead specialized teams with specific short- or long-term goals. Ability to coordinate and communicate work across a complex organizational structure - managing information flows to and from multiple operating/research units.
            • Expert ability to manage international projects, especially in the field of biodiversity conservation, for an organization by managing projects from start-up through implementation and closeout. Develops annual work plans, overseeing technical implementation, ensuring accurate financial management and preparing reports in accordance with donor requirements.
            • Expert ability to manage the development of proposals and program design for a large organization. This includes leading opportunity development and co-design efforts for both grant funding and contract funding opportunities and/or proposals and preparing written concepts proposals for international organizations that have resulted in a high level of success with securing needed funding and resources.
            • Expert ability to develop and implement training activities to build capacity of staff and partners in proposal management, program management and relevant operational issues related to successful implementation of large/ambitious global research and programs.
            • Ability to develop new partnerships and resultant projects with a particular focus on the international field of biodiversity conservation and climate.
            • Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively orally and in writing. Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.Relocation expenses are not paid.Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and InclusionThe Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OHRTrustBranch@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's .The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: .
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Keywords: Smithsonian Institution, Richmond , Manager, Global Biodiversity & Resilience Programs (IS-0340-14), Executive , Washington, Virginia