Specialist, Programs (Science & Innovation)

How You'll Contribute
The National Geographic Society invests in a diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers who are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. These bold individuals represent more than 140 countries, and their vast array of backgrounds, perspectives, and fields bring us to the far reaches of the globe.

The Science & Innovation team oversees the Society's funding efforts in science, conservation, and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Reporting to the Senior Director, Science and Innovation Programs, the Specialist will serve on the Science and Innovation division's Program Team which oversees the Society's funding efforts in science, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Science and Innovation Programs coordinates with the functional support teams across National Geographic to keep the division organized, aligned, and coordinated. Under the direction of the Senior Director, the Specialist will provide critical and tactical support that contributes to a well-functioning Science and Innovation division and portfolio, including administrative and organizational support, project management, budget coordination, stakeholder management, and data metrics and tracking. The Specialist's contributions are essential components to implementing National Geographic's bold and impactful Explorer-led programs.

This particular role will support the "Wildlife in Focus" project on the Science and Innovation Program team.

About the "Wildlife in Focus" project
"Wildlife in Focus" is a program that will fund the next generation of researchers who possess a scientific curiosity that will reshape how humans view, interact, and connect with wildlife. With our planet under increasing pressure and species facing unprecedented challenges, it is more critical than ever before to support and empower the next generation of scientists and conservationists who will gather much needed insights into animal behavior and intelligence before more species are lost and potential knowledge is unattainable. Wildlife in Focus is a research initiative inspired by Jane Goodall and the Templeton Prize.
Your Impact

Your Responsibilities Include

Team Support: (30%)

• Reporting into program lead, the Specialist provides program support for the "Wildlife in Focus" program
  
• Acquires full understanding of project goals, impact and deliverables and manages internal communications to ensure project teams remain in alignment and project milestones stay on track.
  
• Support program lead with work planning and program strategy discussions.
  
• Support program lead in monitoring program metrics and evaluation in partnership with the Strategic Insights and Initiatives team
  
• Provide on-site event support at key convenings.
  

Administrative Support: (30%)

• Assist in program operation needs using NGS systems such as workday, Google docs, Wrike and Salesforce.
  
• Supports the coordination of contracts, legal, presentations, invoices, mailings, travel, and logistics. Ensure program payments and invoices are distributed and paid on time.
  
• Help review program materials and ensure website and other program content is up to date in partnership with NGS communications team. Work with internal teams to order program needs such as supplies, swag, materials and gear.
  

Strategy and Development (10%)

• Gains comprehensive understanding of the goals of the organization, overarching NGS strategy, matrices within the organization, and relevant Explorer-led projects and programs.
  
• Gains comprehensive understanding of the Templeton project and relationship.
  

Program Management (20%)

• Executes tactical components of the strategy under direction of leadership and in support of the Science & Innovation team. Includes but not limited to:
  
  • Identifies and interprets internal/external issues; elevates issues/inefficiencies where appropriate; recommends solutions, best practices, tools, and improvements needed; supports development and utilization of new/streamlined processes and refinement of current processes.
    
  • Organizes data and implements data best practices, performs research, data validation, and manipulation; works with team members to create NGS forms, reports, campaigns, and dashboards to visualize program impact; summarizes data and metrics for use in divisional reporting and analysis.
    
  • Assists with managing projects and schedules, notifies relevant parties of approaching deadlines and helps to keep all projects on track, including updating schedules, project tracker, and other relevant documents.
    
  • Support program lead with budget and reforecast needs.
    
  • Assists science team in tracking.
    
  • Support program lead with work planning and ensure work plans are up to date throughout the year.
    
  • Support program lead with developing and distributing monthly reports for key stakeholders.
    

Team, Divisional, and organizational Collaboration: (10%)

• Supports communication and relationship management with Explorers and Explorer Engagement team; liaise with Explorers and Explorer teams on programmatic needs and contract deliverables.
  
• May serve on internal cross- platform workgroups where relevant expertise is needed.
  
• Contributions and expertise impact team and division goals and support program decisions.
  
• Supports effective communication within the Programs team as well as between the Programs team and other NGS departments.
  

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

2+ years of relevant experience preferably supporting non-profit programs.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of the scientific method.
  
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.
  
• Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
  
• Ability to manage tasks and responsibilities that span multiple teams.
  
• Coordinating and managing appointments, meetings, and multiple schedules.
  
• Technical proficiency with Salesforce, G-Suite tools, Wrike and other project management tools. Presentation design a plus.
  
• Familiarity with social media and other communication tools and platforms a plus, including Slack
  
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  

Supervision

• No direct reports
  

Salary Information

As a leading nonprofit organization, National Geographic Society offers competitive salary and total rewards to attract, develop, and retain an innovative and dynamic workforce.

The salary range for this position starts at $57,000.

Job Designation
Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Wednesday plus either Tuesday or Thursday. Because we recognize that we can effectively work remotely, this designation has been updated to provide more flexibility, both in the days staff choose to come into the office and how often they are expected to be at Base Camp. And of course, Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if they prefer.
W e encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.