Officer, Pew Marine Fellows

Philadelphia and Scientific Advancement

The evidence project is part of the Philadelphia and Scientific Advancement portfolio, which houses all of Pew’s grantmaking initiatives, including two that support scientific research nationally and internationally—the Pew Biomedical Programs and the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation—and one that supports state-level science policy fellowships. The portfolio’s grantmaking also focuses on supporting thriving communities in Pew’s hometown of Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, our grants support health and human services nonprofits, artists and arts organizations, and public spaces that make the city a better place to live for everyone, poverty, and demographics. Furthermore, the portfolio includes the Evidence Project, which seeks to catalyze collective action among philanthropies, public funding agencies, and a diver array of leaders in government, academia, and civil society to close the gap between research and outcomes.

The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation

Pew annually provides three-year fellowships to scientists and other experts from around the globe to support original, research-based marine conservation projects. The program invests in mid-career scientists to generate research that informs decisions related to ocean health. Since the 1990s, the program has supported over 200 fellows. Alumni and current fellows are invited to an annual meeting to build new collaborations and foster a community of conservation-oriented experts focused on bringing data and research to bear on ocean protection. The program also hosts training workshops and program support for new fellows to strengthen the connections between their research and conservation policy and practice.

Position Overview

The Pew Marine Fellows officer serves as the scientific and technical lead for the program. The officer is responsible for recognizing and fostering innovative, rigorous research, as well as managing or advising on research and conservation-related issues for communications products and outreach activities. The officer will have substantial expertise in marine science and conservation issues and be familiar with the award of fellowships and other grants associated with actionable research or useful and usable science.

The officer, reporting to the project director, Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation, is based in Pew’s Washington, DC, office, and will participate in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days each week. Staff also enjoy four telework “flex weeks” per year.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces and values diversity, and is collaborative, caring and compassionate.
• Oversee fellowship program cycles to ensure fairness, transparency, and scientific rigor including, identifying a diverse group of nominators, leading prescreening of applications for research eligibility, facilitating application review and selection, and reviewing grantee reports.
• Manage the program’s selection committees by assessing disciplinary or other needs for committee membership, organizing member rotations, assigning reviews, and coordinating the selection committee meetings.
• Develop, convene, and facilitate annual meeting program sessions and plenaries focused on key scientific and marine conservation issues of interest to fellows and alumni.
• Provide scientific expertise to develop communication pieces for the external website to promote the work of program grantees and reports for the Pew board on grantee projects and program updates.
• Keep abreast of fellows’ research projects and publications to inform and implement science engagement tactics (e.g., organizing fellows for panels at scientific conferences).
• Work with the project director and partnerships team to steward donor relationships, including participating in update meetings, drafting donor reports on grantee progress, and supporting donor cultivation by sharing fellows' scientific expertise.
• Evaluate the significance of research by fellows, alumni, and others, as well as maintain familiarity with current thinking about actionable research that informs conservation and related fellowship program practices to advise the project director on strategic and tactical directions.
• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills. Aptitude to innovate, including thinking strategically and creatively about topics and opportunities.
• Superior written and oral communications skills. Experience reviewing and summarizing technical and scientific material and ensuring accuracy of program documents and materials.
• Skilled at developing and managing productive relationships with fellows, selection committee members, consultants, and others who contribute to the effectiveness of the program.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and managing competing priorities with limited supervision while working cooperatively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong political awareness, with a non-partisan perspective and approach.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Advanced degree preferred in biological or environmental sciences or related fields.
• Generally, eight years of applicable experience.

Key Attributes and Preferred Experience

• A detail- and results-oriented style with a focus on process and achievement.
• Fellowship program experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating scientific convenings.

Travel

This position requires occasional domestic and international travel to meetings and conferences.

Work Authorization

Candidates much be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.