IR-4 Project Executive Director



Primary Function of Organizational Unit.

The primary function of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service (NCARS) unit is to develop the knowledge and technology needed to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability of industries in agriculture and the life sciences; develop ways to conserve and improve the state’s natural resources and environment; improve the health, well-being and quality of life of North Carolina’s citizens; and provide the science based research for academic and extension programs.



The IR-4 Project is a national Federal/State partnership research program to assist farmers of fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, ornamentals, and other specialty crops by facilitating registration of safe and effective chemical and bio-based pest management products. The IR-4 Project is needed because the crop protection industry focuses their research efforts on major crops such as corn, soybean, and cotton that provide the companies adequate return on their development investment. The IR-4 proactively identifies available and emergent products to provide strategic pest-management tools to enhance profitability and sustainability outcomes for farmers of specialty crops. IR-4 Project Headquarters provides national leadership, coordination and regulatory compliance for the IR-4 Project research activities performed by approx. 125 scientists at over 20 public sector research farms and four analytical laboratories throughout the United States.



Position Description/General Scope of Duties

The IR-4 Project Executive Director position will report to the Associate Dean for Research CALS. The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

Responsible for coordination, oversight and management of the research, regulatory activities and long-term leadership of the national/international IR-4 Project (30%)

• Empower the 125 full time scientists and staff associated with the IR-4 Project at the headquarters and numerous Land-Grant Universities/State Agriculture Experimental Stations, and USDA-Agriculture Research Service(ARS) to successfully perform regulatory research and develop regulatory dossiers. Efforts are to support the registration of safe and effective bio-based and chemical pesticides on fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, ornamentals, other specialty crops and minor crop protection uses on major crops (corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat/small grains, etc.).

• Develop and implement policies/strategies for all elements of the IR-4 Project operations: 1) Participate as voting member of the IR-4 Project Management Committee (aka PMC or IR-4’s Board of Directors). 2) Implement technical and policy decisions of the PMC for USDA NIFA funded research at IR-4 Project Headquarters, IR-4’s four regional offices, two analytical laboratories, 15 Field Research Centers and other field research sites. 3) Provide oversight and guidance to USDA ARS’s two analytical laboratories and five field research sites.

• Engage with the specialty crop and crop protection industries to be aware of challenges and changes to ensure that IR-4 remains nimble and can address, incorporate, and/or innovate in response to challenges/changes.

• Facilitate and obtain annual funding (approx. $20 million) from USDA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Foreign Agriculture Service), State Agriculture Experimental Stations (aginnovation), commodity associations, crop protection industry and other sources that are necessary to perform the IR-4 Project’s regulatory research priorities.

Provide program and fiscal management/oversight of IR-4 Project Headquarters (30%)

• Provide high level direction to a team of 28 highly motivated scientists and staff who are responsible to coordinate and manage the IR-4 Project’s research programs with pesticides, biopesticides and other pest management technologies on specialty food and non-food crops. Main tasks of team include: 1) Maintain a database of specialty crop pest management voids that IR-4 has answered, that IR-4 is currently solving or voids that are awaiting IR-4’s attention. 2) Facilitate establishment of IR-4’s research priorities with significant input from stakeholders collected from a mix of on-line tools and face to face workshops. 3) Development of research protocols. 4) Direction of studies, including studies required to be performed under federal Good Laboratory Practice regulations. 5) Development and submission of dossiers to US Environmental Protection Agency and other national/international regulatory authorities. 6) Facilitate partnership with international groups with similar goals and objectives.

• Fiscally responsible for approximately $20 million dollars per year in grants and gifts from various government and non-government sources that are needed to perform IR-4 Headquarters responsibilities.
• Serve as institution’s Principal Investigator in grant submission, grant management, and reporting.

Advocate for the IR-4 Project (20%)

• Interact with stakeholders of the IR-4 Project to keep them informed of the opportunities available through “partnership” with the IR-4 Project.

• Attend numerous conferences, workshops and symposiums and serve as a spokesperson for the IR-4 Project.

• Manage in-house and outsourced communication and outreach activities of the IR-4 Project including the production of an annual report.

• Be a resource and assist the IR-4 Commodity Liaison Committee, Minor Crop Farmers Alliance, Friends of IR-4 and other commodity associations in their ongoing efforts to raise awareness to the IR-4 Projects’ funding challenges and needs to the US Congress, US Department of Agriculture and the Office of Management and Budget.

Fundraise (20%)

• Unrestricted funds – Solicit donations of funds from agriculture products companies, commodity associations and food processors. The funds come into IR-4 with no agreement to perform research on a specific research study and can be used to strategically enhance IR-4 goals at the discretion of the Executive Director.

• Cooperative research funds – Solicit donations of funds or in-kind service (e.g. analysis of residue samples) from agriculture products companies, commodity associations and food to offset the cost of a planned or on-going IR-4 research study.

• Priority setting workshops sponsorship – Seek sponsorship funds from agriculture products companies, commodity associations and food processors to offset the cost of the IR-4 Project annual stakeholder priority setting workshops. Donated funds are used for food/beverages, meeting space, AV and other expenses.

• Seek new opportunities for funding IR-4 from multiple sources including international governments, Foundations, US state and federal government, and private entities.

This position is an in-person position, located in Raleigh, NC, at NC State University.

Proposed Minimum Education and Experience

• PhD in horticulture or other plant sciences, pest management (Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science), chemistry or related area, with years of experience in regulatory science, applied pest management research, or related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Education

• PhD in horticulture or other plant sciences, pest management (Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science), chemistry or related area, with at least 15 years’ experience in regulatory science, applied pest management research, or related discipline.

• Willing to travel, including IR-4 meetings throughout the United States as well as international meetings.

Department Skills

• Ability to maintain attention to details, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well in both team and independent environments.
• Ability to motivate, empower and manage others.
• Committed to excellence in customer service relations with internal (IR-4 Management, peers, field personnel, lab personnel, researchers) and external (producers, commodity/trade associations, registrants, EPA) stakeholders.
• Be willing to assist others when needed.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment.

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Secure World Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit operating foundation, is seeking a full-time Program Analyst, Space Sustainability to provide analysis and support for SWF’s core mission areas of space sustainability, with a primary focus on space situational awareness, space traffic management and coordination, orbital debris mitigation and remediation; the Program Analyst will also support other mission areas, such as space security, as needed. This position will be based in either SWF’s Broomfield, Colorado or Washington, DC office as a hybrid position requiring a few days in the office each week and a regular remote work schedule. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; SWF cannot support the work visa process.

As the only organization devoted entirely to space sustainability, the Secure World Foundation strives to be a trusted and objective source of leadership and information on space security, sustainability, and the use of space for benefits on Earth. We use a global and pragmatic lens to study and evaluate proposed solutions to improve the governance of outer space. While recognizing the complexities of the international political environment, SWF works to encourage and build relationships with all willing stakeholders in space activities, including government, commercial, military, civil society, and academic actors. Central to this approach is increasing knowledge about the space environment and the need to maintain its stability, promoting international cooperation and dialogue, and helping all space actors realize the benefits that space technologies and capabilities can provide.

Download full job posting.

Job Description

‍Candidates should have demonstrated knowledge of space sustainability policy topics such as space situational awareness, space traffic management and coordination, orbital debris mitigation and remediation, or space safety.

The primary responsibility of the Program Analyst is to manage the day-to-day activities arising from the implementation of the Foundation’s program plan, which involves creating and managing project content and related initiatives. This position will focus on providing technical and policy analysis and support for SWF’s core mission areas of space sustainability with a primary focus on space situational awareness, space traffic management and coordination, orbital debris mitigation and remediation.

The Program Analyst will also support other mission areas, such as space security, as needed. The Program Analyst will work with SWF staff on implementing assigned projects; from time to time, the Program Analyst may be required to coordinate with, mentor, and train junior program support staff, interns, and volunteers.

This position will be based in either SWF’s Broomfield, Colorado or Washington, DC office as a hybrid position requiring a few days in the office each week and a regular remote work schedule. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; SWF cannot support the work visa process. This is a 2-year position with the potential for a longer-term appointment, pending receipt of additional program funding.

The Program Analyst reports to the Senior Director, Program Planning with a dotted-line to the COO.

Responsibilities

• Assists senior managers with the implementation of assigned projects, including research and analysis, document drafting and editing, event and other programmatic planning, budget development, and financial record-keeping of program activities
• Works with teams and independently to manage work streams and external stakeholder engagements related to a broad range of space policy issues
• Publishes or co-publishes articles related to SWF program activities and contributes to SWF publications
• Travels (local, regional, national and/or international), as required, to meet with stakeholders, assist with project implementation, and/or attend events related to the assigned project(s)
• Participates in and represents SWF in events and conferences at regional, state, national and international meetings
• Maintains knowledge of the substantive areas of SWF’s activities, as well as other agencies and organizations whose policies and practices have implications for SWF’s strategic direction
• Oversees the work of external vendors and negotiates external contracts, as designated by the Executive Director and/or Senior Director of Program Planning, and subject to approval by the COO
• When relevant, proposes new projects or project sub-activities for senior management approval
• Participates in conversations and work to support SWF’s continued strategic growth and to develop, implement, track, and report on annual and project plans in support of its strategic direction

Experience, Qualifications, and Skills

• 1-4 years of experience working with an organization in a Project/Program Analyst or Manager capacity is preferred; relevant government, industry, non-profit, or military work experience is a plus.
• The minimum academic qualification for this position is a Bachelor’s level degree in or a technical field such as engineering, mathematics, physics, or other related science or a policy field such as international relations, public policy, public administration, or political science
• Master’s level degree (or evidence of equivalent work experience) in a field related to space situational awareness, space traffic management and coordination, orbital debris mitigation and remediation, or space security is a plus
• Demonstrated knowledge of space sustainability policy topics such as space situational awareness, space traffic management and coordination, orbital debris mitigation and remediation, and/or space safety is preferred
• Expertise in collecting, analyzing, and presenting qualitative and quantitative data to audiences with varying backgrounds
• Experience in organizing and executing workshops, events, or other similar activities is strongly preferred
• Experience in public speaking is a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working as a member of a diverse, geographically scattered team is highly desirable
• Demonstrated computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products and experience with Google Workspace products and other electronic collaboration tools
• Prior and proven skill and/or experience collaborating with a team of people
• Written communication skills to support drafting and editing of articles, research publications, policy/white papers, as needed
• Professional experience living and working in more than one culture is a plus
• Ability to perform professionally in English is required, and skill in at least one additional language is a plus

Compensation and Terms

‍SWF is offering an annual salary of $70,860 – $80,000, depending upon experience, for this full-time, exempt position. Benefits are offered, including: paid holiday, vacation and sick time, 401(k) with employer match, health insurance, vision and dental insurance and more. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; SWF cannot support the work visa process. This is a 2-year position with the potential for a longer-term appointment, pending receipt of additional program funding.

To Apply