This position has been filled

The Paris Hub of the Future Earth Secretariat is seeking a senior Science Officer to lead global activities at the science – policy interface

Location
Paris (France)

Closing date for applications: Applications will be reviewed as we receive them. The call will be closed as soon as a candidate is successful, and no later than 10 June 2021.

Future Earth is an international research program with a mission to accelerate transformations to global sustainability through research and innovation. It builds on the networks and legacies of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), DIVERSITAS, and the International Human Dimensions Program on Global Environmental Change (IHDP).

Future Earth supports a network that harnesses the experience and reach of thousands of scientists and innovators from around the world to facilitate research, catalyze innovation, and synthesize knowledge. A key part of Future Earth’s work occurs through our network of more than 20 national committees, 19 Global Research Projects that generate research at the forefront of sustainability science, and through eight Knowledge-Action Networks (KANs) that are collaborative frameworks facilitating highly integrative sustainability research on key societal challenges.

The Secretariat for Future Earth encompasses five Global Hubs located in Canada (Montreal), France (Paris), Japan (Tokyo), Sweden (Stockholm) and the US (Colorado). The Future Earth Secretariat provides coordination and enabling services to Future Earth’s community of researchers, decision makers, and stakeholders. The French Hub is administered by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and is hosted by Sorbonne University (Pierre et Marie Curie Campus). It is currently composed of six staff.

As part of its work, the French Global Hub wants to deepen its engagement in the UN Conventions on Biological Diversity (CBD) and on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is now seeking a Senior Science Officer to coordinate activities in this domain and lead Future Earth’s engagement with CBD and IPBES.

Task description
The Senior Science Officer will work in a dynamic international setting on a range of issues. The primary responsibilities of the Senior Science Officer will be to contribute to various Future Earth activities at the science-policy interface and lead our engagement in CBD and IPBES:

1. Lead and supervise the Paris Hub activities related to IPBES, CBD, IPCC and UNFCCC, and contribute to the coordination of Future Earth ‘s overall science-policy activities
2. Deepen and strengthen Future Earth’s strategic partnerships with CBD and IPBES
3. Mobilize and coordinate the scientific community of Future Earth around opportunities related to CBD and IPBES, such as expert nominations for assessments, task forces and meetings, as well as nomination and coordination of Future Earth science delegations at CBD COPs
4. Strategically participate in relevant meetings and events of CBD (e.g. SBSTTA and COP and IPBES (e.g. plenaries), and report back to relevant members of our scientific community
5. Develop and implement various science-policy activities, including capacity building for early career professionals and co-production of relevant publications.
6. Develop and implement science-policy communication strategies

The role also includes:

1. Liaising with selected biodiversity-related Future Earth research networks.
2. The responsibilities of this position might evolve to include support functions of other activities as well as fundraising within the Paris Hub and beyond.

Candidate qualification requirements:

• At least a Master’s level degree in sustainability science disciplines (natural or social sciences).
• Profound knowledge of concepts, scientific discourses, and science-policy activities related to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and nature’s contributions to people
• 6-10 years work experience in or related to global science-policy platforms, particularly with CBD and IPBES. Leadership experience in international teams is especially valuable.
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation and network coordination. Experience with scientific research network coordination is an advantage.
• Demonstrated team and project management skills
• Excellent communications and presentation skills. To evaluate writing skills, a test will be conducted during the interview.
• Experience in fundraising is a bonus
• Full command of written and spoken English; working knowledge of French and/or other languages is considered an advantage.
• Availability to travel within France and internationally.

Conditions

• The position will start as soon as possible.
• 1-year appointment, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance.
• Full-time French CDD contract (Contrat à durée déterminée).
• Maximum annual gross salary is in the order of 37 to 40k € depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Note: The successful candidate must imperatively be eligible to work in France (i.e. EU citizen or holder of valid French work permit) for the duration of the contract.

Application procedure
Applicants to this position are requested to submit an English language curriculum vitae and cover letter describing how their skills and experience will help them meet the requirements of the role. Non-EU citizens must provide a copy of their French work permit. Applications, in one combined PDF file, should be sent via email to xavier.peres@futureearth.org with ‘Paris Senior Science Officer’ in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as we receive them. The call will be closed as soon as a candidate is successful, and no later than 10 June 2021. Due to the current circumstances, the interviews will be held online.