The Assistant Under Secretary for Research Programs and Partnerships serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary for Science and Research and other Smithsonian officials on all pan-institutional research-related programs and research partnerships and provides executive leadership and direction to the central planning, coordination, and oversight of the programmatic operations under their purview. Supports and implements the Secretary’s strategic plan, policies and goals.
Summary
The Assistant Under Secretary for Research Programs and Partnerships serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary for Science and Research and other Smithsonian officials on all pan-institutional research-related programs and research partnerships and provides executive leadership and direction to the central planning, coordination, and oversight of the programmatic operations under their purview. Supports and implements the Secretary’s strategic plan, policies and goals.
The Assistant Under Secretary for Research Programs and Partnerships is responsible for the programmatic and fiscal oversight of Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research pan-Institutional programs such as MarineGEO, ForestGEO, and the Resilience Initiative. Facilitates the development and management of new projects between and within units and connect key science units and Smithsonian offices (International Relations, Public Affairs, Sponsored Projects, Advancement), as necessary to achieve strategic objectives. Maps and maintains all significant research partnerships with external organizations, including NGOs and other U.S. government agencies. Seeks outside partnerships and opportunities, both nationally and internationally with other scientific institutions, government agencies, NGOs, among others.
Serves as the primary liaison to the Office of Sponsored Projects and the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships. They will be responsible for research compliance, research integrity, and Smithsonian’s export compliance program.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership of Assigned Functions
Responsible for the successful pursuit of the objectives laid out by the Secretary and the Board of Regents for those organizations and/or functions under their purview. Reviews and evaluates the quality and consistency of policies, programs, and operations to ensure improvement.
Responsible for ensuring that pan-Institutional research programs are aligned with and implementing overall Smithsonian strategy, goals, and objectives. Serves as an advisor to the Under Secretary for additional programmatic activities within their purview.
Leads in mapping, stewarding, and initiating partnerships with major Smithsonian (SI) research partners. Maintain and coordinate Memorandums of Understanding/Agreement.
Performs the full range of supervisory duties for all direct reports. Responsible for all human resources and time and attendance supervisory requirements, including recruitment, performance management, discipline, leave, timecard and travel approval, etc. Supports the Institution’s equal employment and diversity activities and ensures the support of such polices in subordinate organizations.
In accordance with the Under Secretary, formulates budgetary initiatives, determines priorities, and recommends Trust and Federal budget allocations in support of programmatic activities and authorizes the allocation of resources among subordinate organizations.
Research Programmatic Oversight
Serves as a principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Science and Research on research and interdisciplinary support-related policies, programs and activities of the Institution.
Supervises research compliance function and serves as Research Integrity lead.
Advises the Under Secretary in the development of the conceptual research and science vision for the Smithsonian. Helps develop associated materials, communicate the needs of the Smithsonian science and research community, and helps provide information about the Smithsonian’s science and research programs to interested stakeholders.
Leads or participates in studies or projects of high priority and sensitivity to the Under Secretary. This may require review of policies, planning documents, operational guidelines, domestic and international collaboration agreements, and other related materials.
Partnerships Oversight
Creates and maintains partnership maps, and identifies other potential new partners representing diverse sectors (academic, governmental and non-governmental organizations, among others).
Conducts key partner outreach; plans and directs programs to identify opportunities for Smithsonian science participation in collaborative research, symposia, exhibitions and publications; and coordinates discussions, communications and negotiations concerned with these activities.
Assesses potential internal collaboration opportunities. Initiates and maintains contacts with target partners to identify future funding opportunities. They will be proactive in relationship/partnership building among various individual scientists/staff, Smithsonian leadership, as well as external partners.
Representation Functions
As directed, represents the Institution in dealing with commissions, advisory boards, federal agencies, foreign governments, and private and professional organizations on matters related to pan-Institutional research programs.
When designated, serves as alternate for the Under Secretary for Science and Research.
Facilitates communications and works as a liaison between the Under Secretary and other organizations or individuals at SI in order to implement or improve SI pan-institutional initiatives and/or operations.
Exhibits a deep understanding of the issues involved in research and/or scholarly work. Demonstrates a scholarly career and may maintain their existing research and/or scholarly efforts on a time-available basis.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
Meets the basic qualifications and specialized experience as listed below.
Qualifications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must clearly demonstrate the necessary level of managerial and leadership skills and competence to perform successfully in this position. This includes a degree in an applicable subject matter field, or a combination of education and appropriate experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a four-year course of study in an applicable subject matter field. A Master's degree or Ph.D. in a scientific or related field is preferred.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated leadership skills in managing the research or scholarly support programs in a museum, academic, or cultural organization.
The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
1. Demonstrated leadership and ability to lead organizations supporting research and scholarly work, including management of functions such as personnel, programmatic and fiscal oversight, budget formulation, and stewarding partnerships.
2. Leadership experience at the managerial level that includes goal setting, planning, and implementing programs, establishing metrics and reporting protocols, and fostering institutional morale.
3. Experience building cooperative relationships and negotiating solutions that address varied complex and occasionally opposing interests. This includes explaining positions/solutions, both orally and in writing, and gaining acceptance by museum and/or research facility colleagues and customers/managers at all levels.
4. Skill in leading and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale; attracting, retaining and motivating employees; and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs.
Additional information
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The incumbent reports to the Under Secretary for Science and Research and works with the Under Secretary for Museums and Culture and the Under Secretary for Education as needed. The Under Secretary for Science and Research will act as the full supervisor in terms of leave approval, human resources matters, discipline, etc. The Under Secretary will set performance objectives and appraise their performance.
Within broad policy guidelines expressed by the Under Secretary, the incumbent independently exercises full authority and responsibility to achieve the administrative, financial and operational goals and objectives of the Institution. Keeps the Under Secretary apprised of major policy and program decisions and especially critical or sensitive problems or issues. Performance is evaluated primarily in terms of overall effectiveness in attaining program goals and objectives.
SECURITY LEVEL This position has been reviewed to determine the level of POSITION SENSITIVITY. Based on the nature of the work, the position has been determined to be Public Trust / HIGH RISK. This designation will require (1) a pre-employment Security Agency Check (SAC) for the prospective incumbent; and (2) a subsequent comprehensive background investigation and favorable adjudication to continue in the position.
EEO The Smithsonian Institution does not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits program for both Federal and Trust employees. See www.sihr.si.edu for details. We also offer a rich program of services and opportunities to balance and enhance your work life. They include: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (an accredited educational program for children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years), transportation benefits, professional interest groups, employee advocacy groups, special events such as brown bag lunches, an annual picnic on the Mall, an annual holiday party, free lectures, behind-the-scenes tours and employee discounts at our theaters, shops and after hours events. These and other programs have made the Smithsonian one of the top 10 places to work in the government.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The qualifications listed in this document will be used along with your resume, and your responses to the questions posed in the electronic application process to determine the candidates who will move forward in the evaluation process. When crafting your responses to the questions, please provide concise, detailed information on your background and experience.
Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to the major duties and qualifications criteria listed for this position.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment on your online resume.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits program for both Federal and Trust employees. See www.sihr.si.edu for details. We also offer a rich program of services and opportunities to balance and enhance your work life. They include: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (an accredited educational program for children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years), transportation benefits, professional interest groups, employee advocacy groups, special events such as brown bag lunches, an annual picnic on the Mall, an annual holiday party, free lectures, behind-the-scenes tours and employee discounts at our theaters, shops and after hours events. These and other programs have made the Smithsonian one of the top 10 places to work in the government.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR
You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system-generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system-generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the contact person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR
You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system-generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system-generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the contact person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
