EMBASSY SANAA 2009 SCIENCE FELLOW PROPOSAL

UNCLAS SANAA 000402

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/STC EILEEN KANE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENGR ECON AMGT APER EPA
YM
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SANAA 2009 SCIENCE FELLOW PROPOSAL

REF: STATE 10843


1. Embassy Sanaa proposes the following spring/summer
position for a Science Fellow.


2. Topic: Geological Survey Capacity-Building in Yemen.

-- Relevant host country organizations: Geological Survey and
Mineral Resource Board, Ministry of Oil and Minerals,
Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and Ministry of Higher
Education and Scientific Research.

-- Timeframe and length of fellowship: Late spring/summer
2010, for 3-5 months.

-- Medical clearance needed.

-- Skills: Arabic language skills preferable but not
required; experience working and living abroad, especially in
the developing world, preferably but not required.

-- Security clearance: A secret-level security clearance is
required because Fellow will be working as an integral part
of the Embassy's Political/Economic Section, will regularly
advise the Section's chief on scientific matters, and will
attend staff and other meetings in the Embassy's controlled
access area.


3. Position description: The Fellow will serve as one of
eight officers in the Political/Economic Section, responsible
for the Section's reporting and analysis of scientific
affairs in Yemen, especially matters involving geology.
Yemen has a nascent mining industry, a potential for serious
water shortages in the future, and an underdeveloped oil
sector. The Fellow will work closely with the
above-mentioned host country organizations on issues such as
groundwater and surface water quality monitoring, subsurface
mineral and energy resource assessment, and developing and
using geological data-sharing systems.


4. Position description continued: He/she will also advise
the Political/Economic Section, the Embassy's Front Office,
and USAID on ways to improve the U.S. Government's engagement
with Yemeni institutions on scientific matters. The Fellow
will also contribute to the Section's reporting and analysis
of economic, energy, health, and technology, and complete
other tasks as assigned. Yemen is a challenging but
potentially very rewarding environment. The Fellow will have
chance to make a real contribution to the country's
geological survey capacity and be able to meet with senior
Yemeni government officials involved in scientific and energy
matters on a regular basis.


5. Post will provide housing, office support, and in-country
travel arrangements, within the Embassy security regulations
on in-country travel.


6. RSO concurrence: The Embassy's Regional Security Officer
has cleared this Science Fellow proposal.


7. POC is Roland McKay, Economic/Commercial Officer, Tel. 967
1 755 2152, Fax: 967 1 303 182, mckayrd@state.gov. The
backup POC is Colleen Traughber, Economic Officer, Tel. 967 1
755 2252, Fax 967 1 303 182, traughbercm@state.gov.

SECHE