Job Description
Field(s) of Specialization:

Stakeholder engagement, citizen science in marine sciences, living labs, outreach

Position Title:

Community and Stakeholder Engagement Expert

School/Institute/Unit:

METU – Institute of Marine Sciences

Location:

Mersin - TURKEY

Summary Description:

METU-IMS is the leading international marine science institute in Turkey with a 100% English education and research.  All METU-IMS faculty engage in teaching, research and service. The Institute carries out research on the Eastern Mediterranean as well as on the Aegean, Black Seas, and Turkish Straits System. The long-term vision of METU-IMS is to integrate fundamental research, blue growth solutions and public outreach towards the overall goal of sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems based on excellent science.

METU-IMS is a coordinator of two EU Horizon 2020 research projects (Black Sea CONNECT and BRIDGE-BS) and involved in many others (such as the ARSINOE project) to advance marine research and blue economy in the Black Sea. These projects have dedicated work packages and activities for engaging stakeholders from academia, funding agencies, industry, NGOs, policy and general public at local, national, regional and international level.

METU-IMS is now looking for a Community and Stakeholder Expert who can lead the design and implementation of community and stakeholder engagement strategies and citizen science activities for these projects delivered by METU-IMS in order to adjust tools, instruments and measures for effective involvement of various community stakeholders and for properly targeting dissemination & communication activities.

This is a 1-year full-time position with a possibility of extension to 3 years with an expected start date in as soon as possible in Spring 2022.

The candidate will be based at the seashore-based METU-IMS campus, located in Mersin, Turkey.

Responsibilities:
  • Leading the preparation and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies
  • Liaise with IMS scientists on citizen science activities and coordinate them
  • Tracking deadlines to meet internal and external deliverables and requests, relevant events and activities
  • Liaising with the national and international project partners on stakeholder-relevant processes (reports, events, etc.)
  • Preparing written materials to support communication and engagement processes
  • Engaging community members and stakeholders - including face to face and online engagement
  • Conducting citizen outreach and engagement activities
  • Supporting or leading facilitation of stakeholder-related events, such as consultations, workshops, etc. together with the project coordination team
  • Collect qualitative and/or quantitative data from the stakeholders via interviews, surveys, questionnaires
  • Monitor and report on stakeholder engagement strategy outcomes
  • Support and lead Young Ambassador Programme, its activities and vision.
  • Organize activities with the Young Ambassadors
  • Working closely with project coordinators, project manager and communication department to deliver project outcomes

Minimum Degree Required:

B.Sc. and/or BA degree in engineering and life sciences to political science, international relations, government relations, public relations, communication or similar discipline. Marine science background is a plus.

Required special knowledge, abilities, and skills:
  • Preferably a relevant Master’s degree (e.g. in political science, international relations, European studies, government relations, public relations, communication or similar discipline)
  • Degrees in technical disciplines that align with the business such as natural sciences, marine sciences or environmental science, will also be considered
  • Minimum of 3-year relevant experience in a similar role in an international or EU project
  • Experience in community engagement, government relations, partnership development, and/or external affairs
  • Excellent level of English. Other languages are a plus.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • High level Microsoft Office skills.
  • Ability to handle multiple projects at a given time and to establish and meet deadlines in a productive manner
  • Excellent teamwork capability
  • Ability to travel in Turkey and abroad
  • Military obligations fulfilled where applicable

Preferred special knowledge, abilities, and skills:
  • Desirable but not essential - experience or interest in sustainability, environmental science/management, or a related discipline
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment, within and across departments/functions, managing multiple priorities
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Creativity thinking through new ideas and approaches
  • Experience in youth engagement
  • Experience in working with the EU strategies such as Missions, Sustainable Blue Economy, policy and decision-makers and in writing policy papers.
  • Basic visual design skills (PowerPoint, infographics, Publisher, etc.) a plus.

Posting Date:

February 2022

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled

Date Review Begins:

As soon as applications are received

Required Applicant Documents to Submit:

Applicants are asked to submit a CV, a 2-page (max.) statement of experience and interests, and names of at least 2 references as a single PDF file

Quick link for Posting:

Please send your application documents directly to Ezgi Sahin (e-mail: ezgisahin@ims.metu.edu.tr), Pinar Uygurer (e-mail: pinaruygurer@ims.metu.edu.tr).

Proposed Start Date:

March-April 2022

Type of Contract:

Temporary (1-year position with a possibility of extension)

Job Status:

Full-time

Salary:

Highly competitive according to level of experience of the candidate

Pay Basis:

Monthly 

Position open to internal candidates only?

No