Reporting to the Vice President of Grants, the Program Officer’s primary responsibility is administering the innovative grant making Technology, participatory science and open innovation. In collaboration with the National Geographic Labs and the Grant Operations teams, the PO is responsible for managing and overseeing the daily operations of grants and applications related to engineering, technology, applied science and participatory science projects. The PO ensures consistency and timely processing of Early Career, Exploration, and RFP Grant applications for the Labs, 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, reviewers, grantees, professional and conservation organizations, and internal NGS and NGP divisions. Preferred candidates will hold higher degrees in applied science or engineering, preferably with a focus on conservation, biodiversity, ecology, or sustainability. Ideal candidates should also have a working knowledge of best practices in community, open innovation and citizen science based projects.
- Reviews applications within the Technology focus and within the Participatory Science and Conservation Technologies RFPs, and oversees a portfolio of approximately 100 grants per year, representing $2.5M 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 internal priorities. (40%)
- Provides feedback to potential and repeat 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 grantees in his/her portfolio, and acts as the main point of contact for relationship management with past grantees. Maintains CRM profile for grantees in his/her 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 grantees through all NGS/NGP departments by notifying them of new grants and highlighting projects with good media potential. Draws on expertise to provide a technical or 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%)
- Designs a recruitment plan tailored to the technology, open innovation and participatory science communities and executes the plan by recruiting potential explorers and projects through domestic and international professional conferences, meetings, special events, and site visits (10%)
- Provides scientific support to NGS management related to topics within Technology and the Labs. Serves as expert consultant for NGP topic-based strategy groups. (10%)
- 3-5 years of related experience.
- Excellent multitasking and interpersonal skills essential.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills are a necessity as is knowledge of MS Office.
- Knowledge of grants management databases preferred.
- Strong understanding of current trends in applied science and engineering and a fundamental understanding of the scientific method is required along with an interest in the conservation of the earth's natural and cultural resources.