Senior Program Officer - Board on Environmental Change and Society

Job Description Summary:

*COVER LETTER REQUIRED*

Are you interested in a job that advances scientific knowledge and public policy on complex challenges at the intersections of environmental change and society? We are seeking an experienced individual to engage in the exciting and challenging task of serving as the lead program staff on managing a National Academies consensus study. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in social and/or behavioral science with a strong environmental focus (e.g., environment and society; climate and society; human-environment interaction), environmental studies, or similar interdisciplinary expertise.

The Board on Environmental Change and Society (BECS), housed within The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE), is the National Academies’ primary voice for advancing research on the interactions between human activities and the environment. BECS is seeking a candidate with a strong understanding of, and commitment to, the behavioral and social sciences and their applications to public policy, specifically focused on the dynamics of human-environment interactions. You’ll lead a team of smart, talented, mission-driven staff who care deeply about the work they do. With the strong engagement of leading experts, your work will help inform actions taken by government agencies, private industry, philanthropy, members of the broader community, and other key decision-makers.

This work is highly complex and often spans multiple scientific disciplines and diverse communities. With the guidance and supervision of the BECS board director, the Senior Program Officer will develop strategies, budgets, and staffing requirements to ensure the activity meets its stated objectives. The Senior Program Officer will serve as liaison between volunteer committee members; the National Academies, board, and division leadership; and other relevant parties; supervise staff; may develop prospectuses and projects; and may negotiate funding with sponsors.

The Senior Program Officer will leverage established organization and division processes and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient completion of tasks, while also providing innovative solutions to complex problems that impact the study’s success. The successful candidate will be dedicated to advancing a culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among the staff. The Senior Program Officer reports to the BECS Board Director.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1.    Independently manages multiple and/or highly complex programs or projects. Develops program or project strategy and budget, staffing requirements and ensures stated objectives are met. Conducts program or project evaluations. 

2.    Assembles committees, with division leadership input, and guides those committees in the consensus building process. Leads convening activities such as forums or workshops. Communicates and coordinates with the chair and other members of the group. Identifies and gathers research materials. Solicits and contacts potential committee members. Facilitates the flow of information among committee members, consultants, staff, and other applicable parties.

3.    Conducts workshops and/or meetings. Develops agendas, invites presenters and participants, oversees meeting logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepares written summaries.

4.    Prepares background papers and technical summaries. Develops written products (e.g., reports, proceedings, white papers). Drafts and edits materials for publication. For studies and other applicable programs, synthesizes and edits research findings and technical data and determines the relevance of data for purposes of study.

5.    Provides support to committee members in all aspects of work subject to organization and division policies and procedures. Assists in preparing draft report, including writing sections of report based on committee input and review and editing the report for format, consistency, and grammar. Manages the response to study report review, responds to comments and concerns of editors, and prepares the final manuscript for publication.

6.    In coordination with communications staff, responsible for communications activities related to assigned programs or projects. Publicizes programs and other priorities. Develops complex and content rich materials and websites to provide interest groups with information generated from and for activities. 

7.    Manages dissemination of reports and other types of publications. Prepares dissemination plan and funding proposal. Manages report production activities. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings and activities.

8.    Independently supervises program or project staff and ens