The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) based in Cape Town, South Africa, has currently lots of opportunities for people interested in supporting astronomy worldwide:

1. Two vacancies at the OAD
There are two contract positions currently available at the OAD: Project Officer and Communications Officer. These are opportunities for inspired individuals to join the OAD team at its Cape Town headquarters during an exciting time in the OAD's life, as it ramps up towards the IAU General Assembly in Hawaii in 2015. Next year also marks the halfway point in the IAU's decadal strategic plan. With 41 projects from around the world funded so far, and more to come, there's a goldmine of great news stories that need to be communicated, as well as opportunities for innovation in terms of supporting this growing community of collaborators. The OAD is looking to fill these positions as soon as possible, so watch out for the short deadlines for applications.

2. OAD Ideas List
The OAD has been gathering great ideas in terms of how to make itself better. However, there are far more ideas than the actual capacity to make them happen. The OAD Ideas List is the ideal "to do list" for the OAD — things that the OAD would really like to implement because it believes it would make itself better but it simply doesn’t have the hands to make them happen. The OAD is therefore sharing this list in the hopes that some of you or the people you know could help implement these ideas. It is also open to your suggestions, of course, so have a look at the list (http://www.astro4dev.org/oad-ideas-list/). If you have other thoughts as to how to make the OAD better, please do send them through.

3. OAD Visiting Fellowships
OAD Visiting Fellowships are awarded in special cases where a person's contributions to the OAD are evaluated to be at an exceptional level. They are awarded to volunteers who work on any of the projects on the OAD Ideas List (or on ideas of their own), which are believed to contribute to the vision of the OAD. A limited number of these fellowships are awarded each year. OAD Visiting Fellows will spend their time in Cape Town working on, and ideally completing, their projects. More at www.astro4dev.org/oad-visiting-fellowships/

4. OAD Internships
This opportunity has always been available but should be mentioned for completeness. The internship programme is mainly targeted at students who are looking to gain some experience in the education and development fields, and earn some extra pocket money while contributing to a bigger purpose. The expression "pocket money" is used because modest allowances are provided, equivalent to what someone receives for tutoring at local universities. The hope is that the individual gains valuable experience that would help them in their future careers. More at http://www.astro4dev.org/work-with-the-oad/vacancies/

Links

• IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
• Astronomy for Development Strategic Plan 2010–2020 (PDF, 3.4 MB)

Contacts

Kevin Govender
Director of IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
Cell: +27 824 878 466
Email: kg@astro4dev.org