Global Water Services Project Manager

Description
Who We Are

The Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) is a self-sustaining nonprofit enterprise. Founded to help bridge the gap between policy and practice, our mission is to enable people and the planet to meet the pace of change by expanding access to new technologies that power more sustainable and equitable outcomes.

We are a fully remote team of award-winning professionals with decades of applied expertise and end-to-end GIS capabilities. By embracing whole-system thinking and state-of-the-art technology, we enable partners across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to tackle complex, real-world challenges—like housing affordability, ecosystem conservation, water management, and sustainable infrastructure—with greater clarity.

Our work liberates and connects key information, creates nuanced pictures of complex situations, and makes data easier to use, understand, and act on. We use tools like satellite data and artificial intelligence to deliver insights for impact.

At CGS, we believe that technology can be a tool for positive change. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that represents the communities and systems we live and work in. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every listed qualification, we encourage you to apply. We value potential, curiosity, and lived experiences, and know a more inclusive team makes us a stronger organization.

About the Lincoln Institute

CGS was established in 2020 at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, which seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, the Lincoln Institute integrates theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide and has office locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, China.

Position Overview

The Center for Geospatial Solutions is looking for a Global Services Project Manager. This role will contribute directly to the Internet of Water (IoW), a bold, coalition-led effort to improve water data sharing to fundamentally transform water management. Since 2022, CGS has served as the official home of the IoW Coalition, advancing this shared vision by developing and promoting new tools and best practices that strengthen the nation’s water data sharing systems, in partnership with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

The immediate and main priority is to manage our “Open Data Access for Urban Climate Resilience in Africa” project. Additional responsibilities will link to other internationally based water-data projects as time and priorities require.

This is a full-time position that reports to the Associate Director, Global Engagement for the Internet of Water. This position requires up to 30% travel, mostly internationally with occasional travel within the U.S. This is a fixed-term position funded through specific grants, with the hope that it will continue as current grants are renewed or as new funding opportunities arise.

What Your First Year Will Look Like

The individual in this position will develop and aid partnerships and networks with global stakeholders who are focused on collecting, managing, and publishing hydrological and meteorological data for internal and external use; plan and implement stakeholder engagement activities in the coordination and training of open source data and data platforms; manage contract logistics, including reporting, and develop materials about the project for diverse audiences, including decision-makers. You will be expected to take a leadership role and to assist as assigned for both CGS and for the larger Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

Education, Training, and Capacity Development for Weather, Water, and Climate Forecasting Project Description

Through collaboration with University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), IoW will conduct regional climate, weather, and water data code-sprints and training for two regions in Africa in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in support of the PREPARE Action Plan.

The WMO Information System (WIS) connects all National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and regions together for weather, water, and climate data exchange. The new technical framework for WMO data sharing is designed to dramatically modernize WMO’s precursor legacy system, the Global Telecommunication System (GTS). WIS 2.0 is currently in a pilot phase and was universally acclaimed at WMO congress as the basis for data sharing.

Realizing the vision of PREPARE requires stakeholder engagement, training sessions, and code sprints to rapidly build capacity and expand access to weather, water, and climate data in communities that need it the most.

What You Will Do

Report to and work closely with the Associate Director to manage and coordinate all project logistics, ensuring that contract deliverables are met in a timely manner, working with diverse multi-cultural stakeholders.

Author project materials, including technical presentations, publications, such as documents and reports for different audiences.

Plan, facilitate, and execute meetings and workshops, including all logistical elements in African countries.

Lead workshops, including providing logistical information and giving programmatic presentations about technical information to diverse multi-cultural stakeholder groups.

Serve as a liaison or bridge between water data management software development teams, end users, and stakeholders.

Contribute to the overall success of the IoW team by participating in strategy sessions, establishing, and maintaining strong relationships with staff, partners, and stakeholders.

Perform other administrative coordination and management tasks related to IoW projects as requested, time permitting.

Qualifications: What You Will Need

Master’s degree in water resources management, environmental sciences, geography, planning, foreign affairs, or related field preferred AND 3 years of professional (non-academic) experience in a fast-paced environment managing multi-stakeholder international projects (e.g., coordinating meetings with senior officials in national and subnational government agencies).

Technical expertise in using hydro-meteorological data for policy and decision-making at local, national, and global scales in diverse contexts.

Experience traveling in Africa and working with government officials in countries on the African continent (particularly South Africa, Uganda, and Ethiopia).

Knowledge of international water and climate policy and data.

Cultural sensitivity, knowledge, and diplomatic courtesy needed to interact with high-level African practitioners and elected officials.

A strong project management personality that thrives on using problem-solving skills and keeping details organized for others.

Experience with MS Office.

Demonstrated outstanding skills in English writing and speaking, including proofreading for both words and numbers, research, and presentation.

Strong writing skills, particularly in communicating technical information to multiple audiences.

Ability to work independently, prioritize, and multi-task; focus on delivering results.

Willingness and ability to give and receive constructive feedback for improvement and continuous learning.

Our Benefits

Include but are not limited to:

3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%

Health, dental, and vision insurance

100% reimbursement of the health care deductible through a health reimbursement account

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Paid parental leave

Voluntary insurances such as accident insurance

Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts

Paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty

Office closure between December 24 – Jan 1 each calendar year

Flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4-day workweek

Tuition and staff development reimbursement

Pet insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest in joining the team, why you are qualified, and what relevant expertise and experience you offer. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Compensation Overview

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials.

Our Values

Cooperation and Teamwork

Forthright Feedback

Initiative

Acceptance of Responsibility

Multicultural Sensitivity

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment by hiring, training, promoting, and carrying out personnel procedures based on individual merit, experience, and ability without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, military service, serious medical condition, expunged juvenile record, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, status as a victim, credit information, homelessness status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or discriminate against employees or applicants for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Employees with access to compensation information as part of their essential job functions cannot disclose it to individuals without access, unless required by law, investigation, or other legal duty.

Non-Smoking Organization

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a non-smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times on all property owned, leased, or under the control of the Institute.

MA Polygraph Statement

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Employers who violate this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.