Future Earth Coasts (FEC) is a global research network of Future Earth (https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/). Our vision is to support the transformation toward a sustainable, just, and resilient future for both society and nature along the coast by promoting innovative, integrated, collaborative, and impactful research and knowledge mobilization.
FEC is seeking an institution in Latin America to host an International Project Office (IPO). This unique opportunity offers the chance to play a key role in advancing coastal sustainability both regionally and globally as part of the FEC network.
FEC IPOs are responsible for carrying out day-to-day operations and facilitating collaboration within the FEC network. They play a crucial role in collating and communicating information related to national and international FEC research while serving as a vital communication channel for coastal aspects of global environmental change. This role requires active participation in monthly IPO meetings and Executive Committee meetings every two months, as well as engagement with key stakeholders at regional, national, and local levels. A strong commitment to collaboration and communication is expected to ensure the successful implementation and achievement of FEC’s vision.
We encourage interested institutions to adopt a dual-structure approach by nominating two leadership positions: a Director (e.g. Senior Professor) and a Deputy Director (Lecturer or Junior Researcher (e.g. Postdoctoral) level)). This structure aims to facilitate the sharing of responsibilities, thereby alleviating the pressure on a single individual and ensuring operational continuity, as well as allowing the development and mentoring of an earlier career researcher.
Deadline for submissions: January 31st, 2025.
Interested institutions are encouraged to visit the FEC website (www.futureearthcoasts.org) and/or contact the IPO Executive Directors (Anja Scheffers: [email protected]; Xiaoyu Fang: [email protected]) for more information or informal discussions before submitting an Expression of Interest.
A template for the Expression of Interest is provided below：
Q&A
- What types of institutions are being considered? Is the focus primarily on universities and research institutes, or do private sector organizations and NGOs also qualify?
Yes. This can be research institutes, centers, universities, government agencies, or comparable relevant organizations.
- What are the benefits for the institution in becoming a FEC IPO host?
Hosting an FEC IPO provides the institution with enhanced visibility, collaborative research opportunities, access to global networks, and a direct role in shaping transformative coastal sustainability solutions.
Hosting an FEC IPO enhances the institution’s global profile, positioning it as a key player in coastal sustainability research. It provides access to high-impact collaborative research opportunities with international partners, advancing the institution’s role in global coastal and environmental change studies. As an integral part of shaping policy-relevant research and driving scientific publications with global influence, the institution will open doors to strategic collaborations with academia, governments, international organizations, funding agencies, and the private sector. Hosting an FEC IPO enables the institution to contribute directly to FEC’s vision of a sustainable and resilient future for coastal zones, reinforcing its role in tackling pressing global environmental challenges. By joining FEC’s global knowledge platform, the institution will foster valuable exchanges between research communities and practitioners, amplifying its impact on coastal sustainability worldwide.
- Could you also indicate what would be the institutional commitments to host this office?
A strong commitment to collaboration and communication is essential for the successful implementation and achievement of FEC’s vision. The host institution must support the IPO in its role of collating and disseminating information related to national and international FEC research, serving as a key communication channel for coastal aspects of global environmental change. Active participation in monthly IPO meetings and Executive Committee meetings every two months, as well as engagement with key stakeholders at regional, national, and local levels, is critical.
Additionally, the institution is expected to provide the necessary support to ensure the smooth operation of the office, including office space, infrastructure, and resources for staff and activities. Financial contributions or in-kind support to cover operational costs are also crucial for sustaining the office’s functions.
- Can you indicate what would be the activities to be carried out by this office?
The FEC IPOs play a pivotal role in coordinating and facilitating the implementation of the FEC research strategy and associated activities, in alignment with the priorities set by the Executive Committee. This involves ensuring effective coordination across research priorities, regions, and projects, while liaising with key research users.
An IPO is responsible for facilitating the organization of events, workshops, and capacity-building activities, as well as supporting fundraising efforts to sustain its operations and broader FEC initiatives. It maintains communication with FEC partners and supports the facilitation of bottom-up initiatives arising from the FEC community. Additionally, the office promotes FEC activities and fosters engagement with policy communities, stakeholders, funding agencies, and host institutions.
- Will Future Earth Coasts provide operational funding, including support for the director and deputy director roles, to the selected entity?
No. Future Earth Coasts do not fund partnering IPOs. It is an expectation that IPO staff’s salaries, office space, financial and IT support are provided by the host institute. In-kind contributions may be considered
- Is the attached form the only document we need to submit?
Yes, it is the only required document.