SGAC is looking for a volunteer to become a co-lead of the Near Earth Object (NEO) Project Group. The new co-lead will work with current co-lead, Smriti Srivastava, to support the activities of the Project Group, and will report to the project group coordinators Joshua Critchley-Marrows and Alessandra Vernile.

Deadline for applications: 25 April 2021

About the Near Earth Object (NEO) Project Group

The Near Earth Object (NEO) project group is dedicated to helping the worldwide planetary defence community to meet one of nature’s greatest challenges. The group provides a youth perspective to planetary defence through annual reports, competitions, conference attendance, and public outreach projects related to Near Earth Objects. The PG uses the SGAC’s status as a member of Action Team 14 within UN COPUOS to assist in bringing about a NEO UN framework. Additionally, Apollo astronaut Rusty Schweickart is supporting the members to explore potential opportunities to work together with the Association of Space Explorers (ASE). 

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

Responsibilities

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

  • Recruit new members to join the project group and mentor project group members
  • Spread the enthusiasm for peaceful space activities through the work of their groups
  • Prepare the annual workplan of the Project Group at the start of the year based on input from members
  • Communicate regularly with their fellow Project Group Co-Leads to update each other on plans and activities, and to coordinate collaborative efforts of the working group
  • Assist with and coordinate the activities of the team
  • Communicate with members all over the world, in different time zones (International leadership)
  • Represent SGAC at conferences and venues on the topics relating to the Project Group
  • Prepare the Project Group’s annual report and intermediate updates to the Project Coordinator together with their fellow Co-Leads

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 Ciro Farinelli and Alessandra Vernile, and will also interact with the co-leads of other project groups for collaborations.

Estimated time commitment: On average 3 – 5 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 the necessary time to allocate to the group’s activities and maintain regular communication with their fellow Co-Lead and Project Coordinator, as well as the members of the group

Project Group Co-Leads are appointed for a term of two years, and may serve two consecutive terms. Project Group co-leads may serve a maximum of 2 terms. 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 space policy experts
  • Access relevant space policy materials, documents, magazines, etc.
  • 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 25 April 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.

Application Timeline

Applications Open: 1 April 2021
Application Close: 25 April 2021
Review of Applications: 25 April 2021- 2 May 2021
Invitation to Interview: 2 May – 8 May 2021
Announcement of Outcome: 25 May 2021