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