Reporting to the Senior Director for Human Journey Grants, the Program Officer’s (PO) primary responsibility is administering and developing the innovative grant making of the Early Career and Explorer Grants programs for the Human Journey lens. In collaboration with the Grants Program and Grant Operations teams, the PO is responsible for monitoring and overseeing the daily operations of Research and Conservation grants related to the disciplines of Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Heritage, and Human Geography. The PO ensures consistency and timely grant processing of Early Career and Explorer Grants applications for the Human Journey thematic lens, and recruits new applicants and projects from the disciplines mentioned above. The PO prepares reports of grant making activities, disseminates the results of these grants to interested parties, and is the liaison between applicants, committee members, grantees, professional and conservation organizations, and internal NGS and NGP divisions. Preferred candidates will hold higher degrees in archaeology or related cultural heritage fields, with multiple years of field research experience. Experience working with local communities and stakeholders preferred.
- Reviews applications within the Human Journey lens for Early Career and Explorer grants, and oversees a portfolio of approximately 125 grants per year, representing $1.7M in investments per year. Identifies qualified requests based on eligibility, timeliness, project plan accuracy, viability of methodology, relevance and significance of the topic, and alignment with lens priorities. (40%)
- Provides feedback to potential and repeat Early Career and Explorer grants applicants before grant proposal submission, including improvements for project planning and design. Provides technical and specific support to these grantees during all phases of the grant process from application through project implementation and reporting. Builds and maintains relationships with all Early Career and some Explorer grantees, and acts as the main point of contact for relationship management with past grantees. Maintains CRM profile for Early Career and Explorer grantees in their portfolio. Provides active engagement to approximately a third of the grantees in PO’s portfolio and a lighter touch of engagement to the other two-thirds. (30%)
- Promotes Early Career and Explorer grantees through all NGS/NGP departments by notifying them of new grants and highlighting projects with good media potential. Draws on expertise to provide scientific context to interested media units. Communicates with grantees to identify story/media opportunities and stays apprised of new discoveries, high profile academic publications, and/or media-friendly results. Serves as point of contact or liaison between these grantees and NG media units. (10%)
- Recruits potential explorers and projects through domestic and international professional conferences, meetings, special events, and site visits (10%)
- Supports Senior Director of the Human Journey lens on designing strategic priorities, planning of new initiatives, and adaptively managing overall mission and metrics of grant portfolio. (5%)
- Provides scientific support to NGS management related to topics within the Human Journey lens. Serves as expert consultant for NGP topic-based strategy groups. (5%)
Minimum Years and Type of Experience
- 5+ years of related experience.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements
- Excellent multitasking and interpersonal skills essential. Oral and written communication skills are a necessity as is knowledge of MS Office. Knowledge of grants management databases preferred. Strong understanding of scientific method, knowledge of current trends in field research is required along with a demonstrated interest in the conservation of the earth's cultural resources.