With an increasing number of international partnerships and agreements SGAC is forming with industry, academia, government, and non-governmental organisations, as well as reforms to SGAC’s internal governance and structure, it has become necessary to have additional expertise within the Executive Office to review legal documents that would impact the organisation for years to come. SGAC is seeking a volunteer member with expertise in contracts, memoranda of understanding, and institutional documents to join our inhouse Legal Team as Co-Lead.

Deadline for applications: Extended 15 October 2021

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a Co-Lead to the SGAC Legal Team
  • Review SGAC memoranda of understanding, statements of intent, contracts, and other agreements;
  • Provide SGAC with support with potential legal issues (e.g.: violation of the bylaws or the code of conduct);
  • Provide support for long term projects such as project group activities requiring legal input;
  • Examine ongoing agreements that are about to expire/up for review;
  • Support the constant improvement of SGAC’s governance by undertaking reviews of the SGAC Bylaws, Statute, and other institutional documents. 
  • Identify areas of improvement within SGAC internal process documentation to ensure long term organizational stability and take on administrative tasks connected with the registration, intellectual property, and the financing of the organisation (endowment etc.)

This volunteer role reports to the SGAC Chairs and Executive Director and is part of the SGAC Executive Committee. It includes significant consultation with the SGAC Chairs, Executive Director, Operations Manager, Treasurer, and the Strategic Partnerships Team.

Estimated time commitment: 2 – 3 volunteer hours of SGAC work per week

Location: As with all SGAC positions, meetings and work will be completed virtually. Communication skills and ability to respond in a timely manner are vital.

Necessary Qualifications and Skills

  • SGAC membership: registration on the SGAC website and 33 years of age or less at the moment of the application
  • Must have a law degree 
  • Hands-on experience with legal contract documentation & review in a non-academic capacity. Prior experience and/or knowledge of U.S not-for-profit laws is desirable.
  • Interest in applying legal background in the aerospace sector
  • Business/professional fluency in English
  • Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to emails
  • Awareness of international cultural cooperation principles, concepts and techniques
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Familiarity with the SGAC mission and its objectives
  • Teamwork capacity and proven leadership skills
  • Understanding of the global space sector landscape is preferred but not necessary

Benefits

As part of the SGAC Legal Team, you will have the opportunity to network with space industry professionals, academics, and organisations. The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to enhance his/her leadership, business development and management skills, and grow his/her skill sets to work with an international, interdisciplinary, and multicultural team.

Benefits of this position include:

  • Meeting and working with young space sector leaders from around the world
  • Building leadership skills and other skills that are directly translatable to your career
  • Shaping and the strategies, practices and procedures of an international organisation
  • Having a significant impact on SGAC’s image on the international stage
  • Contributing to the growth and sustainability of the organisation

This is a voluntary role and has no monetary compensation. Appointment is for a term of 2 years, with the option to extend for a second term.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please complete our Vacancy Application by Friday, 15 October 2021, 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. For any questions, please feel free to contact the present Legal Team Co-Lead, Hamza Hameed at [email protected]. 

Application Timeline

Applications Open: 1 September 2021
Application Close: Extended 15 October 2021
Review of applications: 15-25 October 2021
Interviews of selected applicants: 25 October – 3 November 2021
Announcement of Results: 15 November 2021