Senior Scientific Program Manager

Join the AFSI Team!

The Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI) is seeking a Senior Scientific Program Manager to join our dynamic team and grow our programs in the emerging field of biologicals for agriculture.

About AFSI

AFSI is an independent non-profit organization that advances science for the public benefit. Our mission is to achieve safe and sustainable agri-food, health, and environmental systems that improve the world. We do this through applied research, capacity-building, education, providing information resources, and outreach. We are catalysts for good–synthesizing different kinds of science and perspectives to inform research and policy that will create better agricultural, environmental, and health outcomes. We pride ourselves on our approaches that acknowledge the nuances and complexities of the issues we address and respect the communities we serve.

Wages and Benefits

AFSI offers competitive wages and an extremely generous benefits package. Positions are generally aligned with the federal government GS scale for positions in the Washington, DC area, with Senior Scientific Program Managers falling in the GS 12-13 scale.  Salaries are negotiated based on the individual applicant’s experience and qualifications.

AFSI offers employees a suite of employer-sponsored benefits, including affordable medical, dental and vision insurance. Following a 90 probationary period, employees are eligible to participate in AFSI’s 403b retirement plan and receive a 7% employer contribution.

Job Description

Reporting to the CEO, the successful candidate will provide scientific and strategic input into the development of AFSI programs related to biologicals for agriculture focused on providing stakeholder-driven, scientifically sound context for researchers, developers, policy-makers, and agricultural end users. The position is based in Washington, DC, with a flexible work from home policy.

Job Responsibilities

• Works with the CEO to devise and implement an action plan to position AFSI as a thought leader, a valued partner and a multiplier of funding impact for programs related to biologicals in agriculture.
• Provides leadership in identifying funding sources and pursuing grants, awards, and agreements to achieve AFSI’s program goals for plant biologicals.
• Organizes and leads forums, workshops and discussions related to the potential contributions of plant biologicals in agriculture, the science informing regulatory oversight of plant biologicals, and the formulation of policies in place now and in the future to maximize their benefits, while protecting humans, agriculture and the environment.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent professional expertise in a scientific field related to the use of plant biologicals in agriculture (e.g., plant pathology, plant physiology, soil microbiology, etc.)
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and program development.
• Extensive experience managing multilateral public-private scientific collaborations, partnerships, alliances and coalitions, or other multi-stakeholder collaborations.
• Experience with international capacity building preferred.
• Excellent English language oral and written communications skills, including presentation to scientific and policy audiences.
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office products and video teleconferencing tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage projects with little oversight, and communicate effectively both in written and oral communication.
• Availability to travel up to 25% of each work year as needs dictate.

Application Process

Submit a resume or CV and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest to Ms. Stephanie Carter (scarter@foodsystems.org).  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.