Program Coordinator--Genetic Biocontrol-- Purpose of the Role: To facilitate the development and implementation of the Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents Program and ensure effective coordination between partners. Ensure that technology development supports conservation objectives, specifically invasive rodent eradication from islands. Description: The Sry gene induces testis formation and is considered the ‘master switch’ for sex determination in most mammals. When the Sry gene is translocated to another chromosome it results in animals that can only produce all-male offspring. When deployed into invasive populations we could effectively eliminate reproduction within a species, causing a population to die out. No pesticides or chemicals would be used, no animals would be killed. The method is humane and would only affect the target species. When coupled with a gene drive, inducing up to 100% inheritance, even deleterious genes could be spread throughout a population. A multidisciplinary team from North Carolina State and Texas A&M Universities, USDA-NWRC, CSIRO and Island Conservation are collaborating to develop genetic systems that can precisely eliminate specific invasive rodent species from sensitive ecosystems. Our partnership is initially focusing on developing this tool for house mice, as they are the model vertebrate species for genetics, are invasive in many countries and islands, impacting agricultural production, human health, livelihoods and biodiversity, amongst other reasons. The program involves a staged approach, initiating with proof-of-concept in bio-secure facilities. Part of the program involves generating guidelines for deployment of these types of technologies. By 2020, the partnership aims to have a submission with a regulatory agency for conducting a release on a small island to demonstrate success in the field. Location: Ideally, the position will initially be stationed in Raleigh, North Carolina. Future relocation may be required as the project evolves. The position requires extensive travel, both within the US and internationally, with extended periods of time away from the duty station. Duration and terms: This is a full time position with paid time off, sick leave and health care benefits. The position is fully funded for the first year. Developing follow on funding is a key deliverable. About us: Island Conservation (IC), a global leader in the conservation of threatened island biodiversity, is working to prevent extinctions by removing invasive species from islands. In collaboration with regional partners, IC designs and implements conservation projects which ensure native species protection and demonstrate cutting-edge invasive species removal techniques. IC also supports innovation and on-the-ground research to optimize the success of invasive vertebrate removal. Our mission is focused and our conservation outcomes are tangible and measureable. Since its founding in 1994, IC’s conservation efforts have saved 288 species from extinction. Longtime supporter (and co-founder of the Society for Conservation Biology) Michael Soule, described IC as “… the world's most effective organization in terms of species saved from extinction per dollar spent." IC is based in Santa Cruz, California with satellite offices located in Honolulu, Hawaii; Kelowna, British Columbia; Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico; Sydney, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; and Galapagos, Ecuador. For more information, please visit www.islandconservation.org. Responsibilities Include: • Maintains relationships with various partners including international government regulatory and research agencies, universities, NGO, and corporate stakeholders and communities instrumental to the successful implementation of the program. • Convenes committee to guide development of the program • Maintains strategic planning tools and measures. • Proactively identifies risks and develops strategies with partners to avoid, minimize or mitigate them. • Identifies regulatory pathways and coordinates strategies to overcome barriers. • Coordinates external program communications and ensures that all partners’ external communications support program activities • Identifies and cultivates donors and facilitates the partnership in securing resources for the implementation of the program. • Creates budgets for the program in conjunction with partners and tracks budget performance. • Authors reports, scientific, and popular articles based on shared partnership opinion, research and monitoring data. Ideal Qualifications · Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) or equivalent · At least five years’ experience in a multi-partner initiative that required interactions with the scientific community and general public, in the conservation, health, agriculture or social sciences field, and demonstrated experience in navigating complex regulatory processes. · Experience in projects involving genetics, genetically modified organisms, invasive species, agricultural pests, or disease vectors Experience coordinating a partnership where each partner maintains specific roles and responsibilities, as well as shared ones Skills in facilitation, communications and public speaking Demonstrated ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely for a range of audiences in both written and verbal forms Demonstrated experience engaging with program officers, developing successful grant proposals and supporting other fundraising activities · Ability to travel domestically and internationally without restriction. Valid driver’s license and passport Please send your expression of interest to [email protected]
