Senior Manager, Madagascar Program

Summary:  Responsible for providing leadership in support of the Madagascar program. Responsible for leading the definition, development, and implementation of the Garden’s scientific, conservation, and restoration strategy in Madagascar, and developing business plans in support thereof. The Senior Manager, Madagascar Program will ensure that initiatives function proactively to support and achieve departmental and division-related objectives in support of the Garden’s mission, to include leading, developing, supporting, and motivating an effective team, fostering strong communication and collaboration among staff and contributing to the program’s sustainable future. This position will help to promote the Garden’s role in science and conservation to internal and external audiences and is instrumental in securing ongoing funding.  The Senior Manager, Madagascar Program will develop research on plant diversity and related topics, focusing on Madagascar, and involving a diversity of approaches, including field and herbarium studies as well as one or more analytical methods (e.g., biogeography, conservation analysis, etc.).

Language Skills:  Ability to communicate fluently in English and French (oral/written) essential. Ability to communicate fluently in Malagasy language strongly preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with Garden leadership and the Madagascar program will help to craft the vision, strategic development, and delivery of objectives of the Madagascar program in support of the Plants and People Division and Garden’s global mission of plant science, conservation and sustainability.

• Serve as a liaison between Madagascar-based and St. Louis-based staff, working closely with both teams to facilitate effective communication, co-design of programs, and increased local program development and decision making. Contribute to strategic development, delivery, and assessment of the program’s initiatives.

• Initiate, conduct and publish significant independent research and write results for publication in books and peer reviewed journals, specifically on the taxonomy, systematics, biogeography of Malagasy plants, and participates in research and publications on Malagasy ecosystems.

• Maintain scientific research projects that involve students, staff, and external collaborators.

• Initiate, cultivate and sustain partnerships that enable long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between the program and other entities, including universities, botanical research institutions, other scientific organizations, and the private sector.

• Coordinate efforts to identify a large diversity of funding sources and prepare and submit proposals to raise funds to support initiatives within the program, department, and division, including independent research programs.

• Participate in developing a sustainable programmatic budget, aligned with available resources.

• Provide leadership to, and directly manages, coaches and develops the program’s team of professionals.

• Write, review, and facilitate grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.

• Participate in scientific meetings and delivers lectures to professional organizations and to the general public as appropriate.

• Lead and serve on scientific panels/committees as appropriate.

• Ensure that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs Garden employees, volunteers, and interns professional museum object handling protocols, installation guidelines, safety guidelines, and methods to reduce hazards.  Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.

• Meet expected attendance guidelines.

• Follow and adhere to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.

• Behave and communicate in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within the program and department, as well as the division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.

• Take responsibility in ensuring that the program’s initiatives and team work is aligned with the Garden’s quality standards, policies and procedures.

• Appraise, evaluate and report the program’s activities and results on a regular, systematic basis.

• Initiate, conduct and lead initiatives to provide training to young researchers, botanists, and/or collaborators.

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Oversees scientists, research specialists as assigned; currently has direct supervisory responsibility for Senior Curator and Project Coordinator. 

Competencies:

• Leadership: Leadership competency incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets, and assigned business functions/operations.

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.

• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation, and visitor focus.

• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize, and the working knowledge and skills to take action.

• Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision-making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.

• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum five (5+) years relevant and increasingly responsible experience with a record of successful career growth leading to significant management responsibilities, leadership experience and a proven track record in strategic business planning preferably in a non-profit, learning organization.

• Extensive experience 10+ years) with Madagascar’s biodiversity, including exposure to field-based research and in-situ conservation.

• Demonstrated proficiency in working in international and multicultural contexts.

• Documented scientific record with a minimum of five+ years' experience and publication record.

• Demonstrated abilities in successful grant proposal writing, fundraising, and negotiating and managing budgets.

• Budget development and management skills; advanced understanding of financial operating budget process.

• Five or more (5+) years' experience in staff management including conflict resolution and other related management experience.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must feel comfortable interacting and working with other departments.

• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.

• Demonstrates the highest level of professional and ethical conduct, knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures and systems, maintains confidentiality.

• Must be able to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, demonstrate and instill in staff members with a high degree of professionalism, integrity, loyalty and service to the organization.

• Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed, in support of a team that may work across international time zones.

• Ability to travel frequently (local, domestic and international, with at least 2 travels / year to Madagascar).

• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hiring date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.

• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education: 

• MS. in Botany, Biology or related field required.

• Prior experience working in non-profit environment preferred.

Language Skills:  Ability to communicate fluently in English and French (oral/written) essential. Ability to communicate fluently in Malagasy language strongly preferred.

Mathematical Skills:

• Proficient College Math Aptitude - Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.

• Ability to understand, analyze, and create budgets.

Reasoning Ability:  

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the observation, analysis, and resolution of issues. 

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the allocation of resources.

Computer Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in navigating through various PC applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook).

• Experience in database management.

• Solid Internet research skills.

• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff in order to answer questions and service their needs.  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: 

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a passport for international travel.

• Must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations, and immunizations for all countries where travel is required.

Physical Demands:  

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the workday. 

• Operates copier, printer, fax, and computer.

• Ability to walk about facility frequently throughout work day, and sit for extended periods of the workday (may sit up to 50% of workday).

• Ability to travel independently for long periods on airplanes, trains and other conveyances both domestic and international. 

• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, or climb as required and move about for extended periods of time.

• Physical fitness necessary for project visits and field studies involving multi-week hikes/rides/camping in difficult terrain.

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights and at high altitudes.

• Ability to understand field safety requirements and wear personal protective equipment, as needed.

• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.

• May require working long hours to meet deadlines.

Work Environment:  

• Primary office and laboratory environment in St. Louis, MO, with regular travel to overseas office environments as neededt; overseas assignments may include working in developing countries and/or in remote and rugged regions.

• Outdoor setting; ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).

• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to the general public, in a friendly manner, answering questions.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:  

• VP for Plants and People Division

• Madagascar program staff

• Garden employees, volunteers, and visitors

• Collaborators, guests and international scientists