SGAC is looking for a volunteer to become a Co-Lead of the Diversity and Gender Equality Project Group. The new Co-Lead will work with one other Co-Lead to support the activities of the Project Group, and will report to the Project Group Coordination Team of SGAC.

Deadline for applications: 4 January 2024

About the Diversity and Gender Equality Project Group

The highly ambitious and at times futuristic space sector is not a steady cruise for all; for many, it is a bumpy ride. All across the world, women and minorities in the space sector often learn to overlook the stigma of discrimination and accept it as the burden of a traditionally white male dominated work space. But, as we look into the future of space, we see the need for change.

From this necessity, Our Giant Leap was born within the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in 2019. As the topic is global, it requires a truly international and long-term initiative.  This has been realised through the creation of the Diversity and Gender Equality (Our Giant Leap) Project Group in 2021.

The Diversity and Gender Equality Project Group (DGE PG) has the following objectives:

  • Raise awareness and break down stereotypes within and outside SGAC
  • Tackle concrete concerns raised by minorities in the space sector
  • Provide concrete recommendations for implementation in industry and academia, and setting an example through SGAC
  • Inspire and provide avenues for young people from all horizons (gender, background, nationality, age, status…) to join the space sector
  • Enrich the aerospace industry by advocating for gender equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Create a lesson learned and practice platform on how we can reach out regarding diversity (trainings, presentations): facilitate and educate SGAC volunteers
  • Set up a network of people interested ready to pursue the search for solutions to existing problems

For more information on the group’s projects and activities please check their webpage.

Responsibilities

SGAC encourages Project Group Co-Leads to take personal initiative within their roles to:

  • Coordinates the already existing activities and support new initiatives from Project Group members
  • Communicate with Project Group members through different channels and regular meetings in different timezones (international leadership)
  • Set up new opportunities (collaborations, partnerships) on the topic of Gender Equality and Diversity
  • Spread the word about Gender Equality and Diversity and the enthusiasm for peaceful space activities through the Project Group work
  • Organize recruitment campaigns to get new members to join the Project Group
  • Communicate with fellow Project Group Co-Leads and Project Group Coordinators to update on plans and activities
  • Prepare the annual Project Group work plan at the start of the year based on inputs from members
  • Prepare the Project Group annual report and intermediate update to the Project Group Coordinators
  • Represent SGAC at conferences and venues on the topics related to Diversity and Gender Equality

Project Group Co-Leads can form subteams as part of the Project Group and delegate tasks to relevant team leads within their teams. They may also request mentors from the SGAC community to advise their members.

Project Group Co-Leads will report to the Project Group Coordinators of SGAC, and will also interact with the Co-Leads of other Project Groups for collaborations.

Estimated time commitment: On average 5 – 15 hours per week

Necessary Qualifications

  • SGAC membership: registration on the SGAC website and below 34 years of age at the time of appointment
  • Be a citizen of a United Nations Member State
  • Be between 18 and 35 years old during the appointment
  • Demonstrate leadership and teamwork experience
  • Possess good communication skills in English and preferably in other United Nations official languages
  • Ideally have a good understanding of the topic of the Project Group
  • Ideally have knowledge of the United Nations (UN) organisation and its objectives, preferably have hands-on experience with youth projects and space-related projects
  • Have enough time at one’s disposal to successfully be able to commit to the group’s activities and maintain regular communication with their fellow Co-Lead and Project Group Coordinators, as well as the members of the group

Project Group Co-Leads are appointed for a term of two years. The position will have a probationary period of 3 months.

Benefits

This is your chance to help shape the future of our organisation. You get to:

  • Attend international conferences and invitation to join UN COPUOS meetings as an SGAC representative
  • Interact with senior-level leaders in the international space sector
  • Work with the next generation of international space sector leaders in the world’s largest youth space network
  • Work with gender equality and diversity experts
  • Possibly be nominated for SGAC leadership awards
  • Benefit from SGAC discounts on event registration for team members

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please complete our Vacancy Application by 4th of January 2024 with the following documents as attachments:

  • A Letter of Intent (maximum 1 page)
  • Your CV (maximum 2 pages)
  • List of three past experiences and how they have prepared you for this role (maximum 1 page)

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application Timeline

Applications Open 1 December 2024
Applications Close 4 January 2024

Review of applications and interviews will be done during the month of January. 

The outcome of the application will be communicated at the end of January/beginning of February.