The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) announces an invitation for inspired individuals from any relevant background, either virtually or in-person, in Cape Town interested in contributing to its mission.
Who can Apply?
Volunteers, remote or on-site in Cape Town
- Volunteers from various backgrounds are invited to contribute to specific tasks.
Interns, remote or on-site in Cape Town
- An internship stipend will be awarded as a once-off payment for remote contributors or a monthly stipend for on-site interns. In addition, the amount will depend on the project or activity the individual will be working on, their qualifications, and the agreed time commitment.
Fellows, remote or on-site, in Cape Town
- A stipend will be awarded as a once-off payment for remote contributors or a monthly stipend for on-site fellows.
Possible Task Areas
Below are the possible task areas for volunteers, interns, and fellows; however, participants can propose different project ideas. However, currently, the OAD seeks individuals who will be able to work on any of the following:
- Impact study (1): OAD projects aim to create positive community benefits through astronomy-based interventions. The individual will work with the operations manager to analyse the data submitted by projects and create appropriate charts and infographics. (see, for example, using Grapher, an open-source tool to visualise data.
- Impact: https://www.astro4dev.org/projects-impact/; and
- Preferred: Experience in data visualisation and data handling.
- Impact study (2): The individual will use the data submitted by 2022 projects to develop an impact report of projects funded in the year.
- Preferred skills: Experience in report writing and data analysis.
- Astronomy for Mental Health: The individual will assist the ‘Astronomy for Mental Health’ project lead in developing materials and planning activities.
- Astronomy for Mental Health: https://www.astro4dev.org/astronomy-for-mental-health; and
- Preferred: Experience in astronomy, education or psychology, or mental health.
- Communications (1): The individual will speak with and interview some projects funded by the OAD and write articles based on them.
- Preferred: media/communications background.
- Communications (2): The individual will create/edit videos from existing materials (videos, photos) submitted by OAD projects.
- Preferred: Experience in video editing.
- Communications (3): The individual will review the OAD’s social media channels and content and propose updates to its social media strategy.
- Preferred: familiarity with content creation for social media, especially Facebook and Twitter.
- Communications (4): The individual will explore the creation of a Tiktok account and curate content for Instagram and Tiktok.
- Preferred: Experience with content creation for Instagram and Tiktok.
- Office inventory: The individual will work at the OAD’s office in Cape Town. The main task will be to take stock of material in our office and storage facilities and work with the team to reorganise it.
How to Apply
Interested individuals must send a brief CV (including references) and a page motivation letter to fellowships@astro4dev.org. The motivation letter must include a description of the project, why you are suitable to carry it out, time committed to it (e.g. six months full-time, three months part-time) and any related logistics that need to be considered.
For more information, contact Kevin Govender.
Deadline
No deadlines; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Opportunities with OAD partners
Occasionally, opportunities arise at partner organisations, some of which are listed below.
- Social media for an international astronomy project;
- Administrative tasks: Drafting of meeting minutes, logistics for events (booking flights, accommodation etc.); and
- Someone willing to travel and assist at outreach events in South Africa.
For more information and to be connected with the relevant partner organisation, contact Kevin Govender.
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