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Coordinator, Africa Monitoring System

The Integrated Monitoring System for Ecosystem Services in African Agricultural Landscapes (AMS) is a new, innovative monitoring system that collects data on environmental impacts of agricultural development, analyzes trade-offs and synergies among food production, poverty alleviation and environmental outcomes of agricultural intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa, and communicates science to policy makers with the aim of improving agricultural development decisions. The AMS is led by Conservation International, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa and the Earth Institute, Columbia University and is directly managed by Conservation International.

The Coordinator of the Integrated Monitoring System for Ecosystem Services in African Agricultural Landscapes (AMS) provides administrative, research and project support to the Executive Director (ED) and Technical Council. This position will provide diverse administrative and technical support, including managing priorities, calendar and meeting schedules, travel arrangements and expense reimbursements, correspondence, international event support, meeting management, preparation of communication materials, presentations, and reports, and manages special projects and other duties as assigned by the Executive Director. In addition, the Coordinator monitors the overall AMS and advises the Executive Director on current and emerging system-wide and institutional issues that require attention and serves as a critical liaison between the ED and other AMS and CI staff, including foreign government officials and donors. The position may also provide administrative and project support to other AMS Councils, committees and working groups.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management

  • Serve as advisor to the ED, independently analyzing and handling issues and projects and resolving, delegating to other AMS or CI staff, and/or advising the ED on appropriate action; track and follow up on projects and issues to ensure resolution and completion; provide regular status reports to the ED.
  • Act as a liaison and representative of AMS with CI staff at all levels, senior AMS researchers at other institutions, postdoctoral scientists, donors, and government officials.
  • Develop and implement communication strategies to support the AMS, ED and Technical Council.
  • Establish and maintain AMS administrative systems and workflow procedures; ensures there is an organized system of tracking, monitoring, and prioritizing tasks and projects.
  • Coordinate and manage the schedule and priorities of the AMS Oversight and Technical Councils including the scheduling of meetings, minute taking and record keeping.

Administrative Duties

  • Investigate, analyze and summarize key information for ED’s review; advise on courses of action and draft responses from ED. Refer inquiries and/or projects to other individuals and/or units, as appropriate.
  • Manage ED’s email, telephone and other correspondence, reviewing, routing and/or delegating as appropriate; independently draft and send email messages on behalf of the ED and maintain current phone and email directories.
  • Set up and coordinate meetings and conference calls, including on-site logistics.
  • Manage the ED’s schedule and calendar by making independent decisions to reschedule, postpone, or relocate meetings. Coordinate day-to-day activities to ensure effective management of schedule, meeting regularly with the ED to review calendar and operational issues.
  • Manage the ED’s travel arrangements and organize travel materials; prepare electronic and other resource materials for ED’s meetings and events, prepare itineraries, process timely expense reports and reimbursements.

Research and Analysis

  • Research, analyze, design and prepare materials, including charts, graphs, tables, statistical, PowerPoint presentations and reports for the ED, committees, programs and projects, and donors.
  • Monitor key scientific publications to track relevant science news and bring relevant material to the attention of the ED and AMS staff.
  • Perform special projects for the ED and Technical Council, as needed.

International Meeting and Special Event Support

  • Coordinate and handle all logistics for domestic and international AMS meetings. Manage meeting budgets, invitations, participant lists, negotiate contracts, coordinate participant travel, local transportation, meeting schedules, agendas and associated materials, arranging for appropriate equipment, assist with presentation details, staff event to ensure participants, VIPs and other important individuals are supported and to deal with problems that arise.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Working conditions:

  • This position is located in Santa Barbara, California.
  • Individual will frequently need to be available during non-standard business hours and/or weekends particularly with international meetings and conference calls which frequently take place from 6:00-8:30 a.m.
  • Overnight travel, for periods of up to two weeks, both domestic and international, including in developing country conditions, approximately 25% time, sometimes on short notice.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

  • Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 3 year of administrative and technical support experience or equivalent combination.
  • Excellent written communication skills for preparing correspondence, documents and reports, using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • Strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals from a variety of disciplines, cultures and backgrounds
  • Exceptional analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills for identifying needs, conducting research, synthesizing information and for developing innovative proposals, solutions and projects.
  • Exceptional organizational skills, highly resourceful, attention to detail and multi-tasking capabilities.
  • Force of presence and influence skills: ability to accomplish complex assignments requiring inter-and intra-organization cooperation and ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts in collaborative teamwork and in meetings
  • A collaborative, enthusiastic, proactive and adaptable nature, even under pressure
  • Strong work ethic and willingness to take ownership for wide-ranging responsibilities
  • Comfortable working remotely as part of an international, highly distributed team
  • Strong computer skills, technically savvy, and proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Experience with tools for remote collaboration, social networking, and virtual communication
  • High level of professional integrity, discretion, ability to maintain confidential information, reliability and work ethic
  • Highly service oriented with a strong customer service ethic

Preferred:

  • Master’s degree in science administration, environmental sciences, international conservation or development or related field
  • Experience with conservation or development NGO or international science organization, preferably in developing countries or in relation to them
  • An interest in environmental science, conservation and development
  • Experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
  • Sense of humor, ability to have fun

Coordinator, Africa Monitoring System