The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary is responsible for ensuring the timely and effective implementation of directives from the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, and managing and directing the daily operations of NOAA's national and international operations for oceanic and atmospheric services, research, and coastal and marine stewardship.

Duties

The Senior Advisor for Capacity Building and External Engagement will lead, coordinate, align, and integrate activities related to advancing equity through NOAA's mission. The Senior Advisor will provide strategic guidance on the development and implementation of approaches to embed equity considerations across NOAA's policies, programs and processes, working with agency leadership and equity champions. This role will serve as a champion and change agent across the agency on issues pertaining to the investment in and advancement of equitable approaches to science, service, and stewardship and related issues. The opinions and positions of the incumbent contribute greatly towards the development of policies and programs within NOAA and other aligned scientific organizations. The incumbent serves as NOAA's lead liaison to public, private, educational, and international sectors in regards to NOAA's equity strategy. This position will be critical in ensuring that NOAA's science, service and stewardship are reaching all communities, including those facing disproportionate social, economic, civic and environmental burdens from years of unjust policies. This position must help to create the structures, capacity and enabling environment to support more standardized approaches to policies, programs and processes grounded in equity. The results of the Senior Advisor's work will lead to greater accessibility of NOAA's products, services and grant opportunities, stronger and more trusting relationships between NOAA and underserved and vulnerable communities, and reforms to internal processes to embed more equitable approaches. More specifically, the Senior Advisor will be responsible for the following: Identify opportunities to advance equitable approaches to science, service and stewardship, lead goal setting, support problem solving, and create mechanisms for accountability of outcomes. Support, strengthen and champion existing efforts of line, staff and program offices, acting as a sounding board, making connections, and helping to remove barriers as appropriate. Partner with agency leaders to develop and implement standardized practice grounded in equity (i.e., fiscal, operations, and other internal practices). Identify and implement opportunities for training, learning and engagement to expand capacity at NOAA to advance equitable policies, programs and processes. Establish and convene a cross-line office council or team to share knowledge and advance institutionalization of equitable approaches. Champion, internally and externally, the successes of the equity efforts of the agency, as well as the ongoing challenges, in order to increase visibility and understanding. Create opportunities to hear directly from NOAA partners, grantees and users specifically from underserved and vulnerable communities, to understand gaps, needs and priorities. Partner with relevant agency leadership and equity champions to identify and counter racist and inequitable systems within the agency.

Requirements

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess all of the mandatory Professional Technical Qualifications listed below. These qualifications would typically be acquired through education, experience, and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in managing a comprehensive business program in a complex organization. An individual's total experience and education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position. Applicants must meet all of the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Professional Technical Core Qualifications (PTQs): Leading, coordinating, aligning, and integrating activities related to advancing equity through NOAA's mission requires a demonstrable track record of advancing equity and anti-racist program and policy implementation and results at a large governmental or non-governmental institution, a proven commitment to pursuing equity, an informed perspective on applying an equitable approach in decision making and planning, and proven leadership and management experience. A successful candidate will also be a demonstrated team player with experience working collaboratively and building relationships at all levels of an organization and with external partners to achieve measurable outcomes. Specific professional and technical qualifications are as follows: PTQ 1: Broad background in public policy, sociology, ethnic studies, public health, environmental justice, social work, public administration, or related field; Specific expertise in one or more critical areas, such as oceans, fisheries, climate, meteorology, and coastal resilience. PTQ 2: Experience in policy advocacy, community organizing, or direct service delivery in areas of equity, environmental justice, or climate justice. PTQ 3: Demonstrated ability influencing organizational change by working with diverse staff to promote trust, collaboration and partnership between different organizational units and levels of leadership. NOTE: Responses to PTQs must not exceed 2 pages per PTQ, for a total of 6 pages.

Contacts

• Address NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS) 1315 East West Hwy SSMC4 Silver Spring, MD 20910 US
• Name: Kamilah Starks
• Phone: 301-628-1844
• Email: [email protected]