Chief of Operations

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The International Environmental Data Rescue Organization (IEDRO)

Chief of Operations

This dedicated individual would work with our Executive Director and through funding institutions and grant foundations such USAID, NOAA, The World Meteorological Organization, Google, etc., provide the establishment and maintenance of data rescue and digitization (DR&D) projects throughout the world.

Organization Profile: The International Environmental Data Rescue Organization (IEDRO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in April 2005. IEDRO’s mission is to locate, image, digitize, archive and make available to the scientific and educational community all historic environmental (mainly hydrometeorological/weather) data throughout the world. These data are critical for understanding the extent and rate of climate change (i.e. global warming); forecasting the speed and direction of disease outbreaks such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever and other airborne diseases; identifying the frequency and duration of droughts in various areas of the world so that subsistence farmers can plant appropriate crops and save enough of their harvest to prevent their families from starving during the dry years, and hundreds of other applications critical to humanity.

IEDRO is based in Deale, Maryland with our northern office in Jonesport, Maine. Our volunteers and staff are mainly retired professionals from a variety of disciplines such as education, information technology, the earth sciences including meteorology, oceanography, climatology, forestry, geology, biology, chemistry, physics, technical writing, foreign languages, programming, etc. The duties and responsibilities of the position will be handled remotely.

IEDRO has worked successfully in 17 developing countries and currently has an active project in Uzbekistan.
Although most of our work has been on-site, due to the pandemic, our work currently is done remotely thru GoToMeeting events on a monthly basis as well as phone calls and emails.

Definition:

This is initially a volunteer position which, with the availability of additional funding, would transform into a compensated position. However, all expenses related to handling the responsibilities of this position such as travel, computer software, etc. would be covered by IEDRO. The successful candidate would effectively manage, coordinate and direct, through IEDRO Headquarters, our international DR&D Projects, both personally and through individual Project Managers, with the assistance of our Executive Director.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

With the Executive Director, the Chief of Operations manages people of varying backgrounds and projects. He/She typically possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience to allow the use of independent judgment in the performance of duties andis capable of carrying out work with little guidance or supervision. This individual is a self-starter: bright, motivated and dynamic. Additionally, this position requires an individual with proven experience andknowledge of scientific or technical project management. Experience with USAID, NOAA, and/or the WMO would be an advantage but not a requirement. An Individualwith knowledge or experience working with grants would also be useful.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives general direction from the Executive Director and works closely with the Director of Scientific Applications and the Director of Proposals.

Examples of Duties:

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for the overall management of up to 10 international projects, most of which are relatively small with funding less than $75,000. The funds involved are primarily for on-site equipment and software as well as IEDRO personnel travel to the countries. The incumbent will assist the Executive Director to develop, recommend, and maintain accurate and current project budgets. He/She will assist the Executive Director to manage cost and quality controls in all project activities and assist in development of procedures, policies, recordkeeping, and duties as required related to overall administration of projects, including procurement.

• Work with the Executive Director, the Director of Scientific Applications and others within IEDRO, public agencies, subcontractors, and independent consultants on the implementation of project tasks, programming, and other activities for assigned projects.

• Direct the work of other staff, volunteers and contract consultants retained and provide particular expertise in project studies, programming, development, design, or management. Participate in, or manage the identification, selection, hiring, and development of these individuals. Act as the IEDRO’s representative in assisting consultants.

• Assist the Executive Director and others to plan, prepare, and communicate schedules and progress records of projects' activities and expenditures, and assist others in establishing project schedules and milestones. Help to develop critical path or project flow diagrams to plan, set and evaluate progress on project tasks.

• Help the Executive Director to establish systems for efficient management of subcontractor activities.

• Review, analyze, and prepare reports and other correspondence on all activities and transactions related to assigned tasks, and provide timely information and status updates on assigned tasks.

• Other related duties as required.

  Qualifications:

  Experience in:

• Project Management procedures for planning and processing international projects, and for establishing plans, specifications, monitoring and management of the development projects.

• Cost estimating, tracking and scheduling for international development projects.

• Computer applications specifically related to project management, such as MS Project and MS excel.

• Principles and practices of personnel supervision and management.

  Ability to:

• Keep projects on schedule and within budget.

• Coordinate and supervise international development projects.

• Accurately analyze situations and problems relating to projects, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement an effective course of action

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of performing assigned responsibilities.

• Assist in the preparation of contract documents for professional services and projects.

• Utilize commonly used project management software and project record systems.

• Assist in the supervision and training of assigned staff.

  Experience and Education Guidelines:

  While this is not an entry level position, we are willing to consider all applicants who have had real world experience in scientific or technical project management. Experience in international development projects would be an asset but not a requirement.

  Experience:

  Minimum of three years of project management. International project experience would be an advantage but not a requirement.

  Education/Training:

  Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. We prefer major course work in planning, public or business administration, international development, project management, computer science or the environmental sciences such as meteorology, hydrology, climatology, forestry, or a related field.