Posted on Friday 8 April 2016

Call for expressions of interest for Science Programme Leader roles

Expressions of Interest are invited for the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge Science Programme Leader roles. 

The Role

The Science Programme Leaders will be appointed for a two year term, with the opportunity to reapply for a further term. Up to 0.2FTE of time will be supported by the Challenge for each Science Programme Leader. The Science Programme Leaders will be part of the Science Leadership team which will meet at least 4 times per year with the direct costs of attending these meetings being covered by the Challenge. 

Specific responsibilities of the Science Programme Leader

• Provide input into the development of the Challenge research priorities and strategy, including Vision Mātauranga
• Lead and coordinate research projects in the spirit of the principles of the Sustainable Seas Collaboration Agreement, including development and coordination of proposals in response to Challenge RfPs, and collaboration with Māori and stakeholders
• Review and report quarterly to the Science Leadership Team on the publications, new products and services, collaborations, co-funding, key research achievements and progress towards the Challenge Objective and Mission
• Advise the Director of any issues associated with the delivery or performance of the Challenge research projects or related activities, including capability needs, that will affect the performance of the Challenge
• Interact with other Challenge Science Leaders to ensure research coordination across the Challenge, and minimise the creation of silos
• Prepare material required for MBIE reporting or reviews, and oversee science quality.

Process

The Director will make recommendations to the Governance Board regarding the appointment of the Science Programme Leaders for the Challenge.

Five roles are available, one for each of the Challenge Programmes:

• Our Seas
• Valuable Seas
• Māori and the Sea
• Dynamic Seas
• Managed Seas

Please submit your CV together with a cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role, noting which of the five Programmes you would like to represent on the Science Leadership Team.

Submit your application by Monday 22th June 2015 to Wellington PA (Wellingtonpa@niwa.co.nz). 

For more information regarding SLT positions contact Challenge Director Julie Hall (Julie.Hall@niwa.co.nz  04 386 0322 or 027 595 2369).

Criteria

The Director will use the following criteria in the selection of the Science Programme Leaders and will also consider the overall balance and compatibility of the team.

Primary criteria

Understanding of the Challenge Mission and Programme objectives. For the Science Leadership Team to operate effectively it will require people who understand the Mission and how the Programmes fit within it.

Communication. The highly participatory nature of the Challenge will require the SLT to communicate and effectively engage with Māori society, industry, communities, central and local government.

Project management experience or potential. Some of the reporting and administrative tasks for the Challenge will be the responsibility of the Science Programme leaders requiring skills in the area of project management

Overall composition of the team. To limit the scope for disciplinary or thematic bias in the selection of projects it is necessary to have a range of disciplinary backgrounds on the Science Leadership Team.

Secondary criteria

Academic breadth and intellectual curiosity. Deep expertise is valuable within a Programme, but in order to build a successful research plan that integrates across Programmes, Science Programme Leaders Leadership will need to have some familiarity with (at least some) other aspects of the Mission’s research outside their own research area.

Networks and Connections. The Sustainable Seas will build upon, and integrate with, relevant national and international research programmes and projects. Utilising existing extensive research, Māori society and stakeholder connections and having the capacity to extend such connections will be important.