Director

The Director leads, facilitates and supports activities of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Secretariat, providing strategic input, managing operations, and engaging stakeholders to advance GEO's mission and strategy under the supervision of the GEO Executive Committee and WMO Secretary-General.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level strategic input on GEO's overall strategies and policies working through the Executive Committee and Plenary governance processes.
• Develop and execute annual Operating Plans aligned with GEO’s strategies, directions and priorities with key performance indicators and an associated annual budget.
• Advance the implementation of GEO’s strategy by working with the Programme Board, Working Groups or Task Forces and developing GEO activities in line with the GEO Work Programme.
• Develop Executive Committee’s and Plenary’s agendas and facilitate effective discussions leading to operational decisions.
• Oversee preparation of documents for GEO functioning including programmatic, budgetary and financial reports for approval.
• Ensure effective organization of meetings of GEO bodies including Programme Board, Task Forces, and Working Groups.
• Oversee development and maintenance of the GEO Infrastructure, fostering integration with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
• Develop and execute annual GEO Secretariat operating budget and oversee use of GEO Trust Fund resources ensuring financial responsibility.
• Manage human resources of the Secretariat including staffing plan, recruitment, supervision, evaluation, and fostering an inclusive work environment.
• Guide and oversee all activities of the Secretariat ensuring compliance with WMO legal, regulatory and ethics rules.
• Provide authoritative guidance and leadership to ensure cross-institutional synergy and timely implementation of governing body decisions.
• Develop and execute GEO engagement strategy and communication activities for members and external stakeholders.
• Act as an internationally recognized champion and advocate for Earth observations to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Maintain understanding of priorities, interests and capacities of the GEO community and engage with GEO Members and Associates to increase involvement and support.
• Engage in resource mobilization to build strategic partnerships and secure funds and resources for the GEO Trust Fund.
• Represent GEO and support representation of GEO Members’ interests at international and intergovernmental fora.
• Share lessons learned during GEO implementation among stakeholders.

Requirements

• Masters degree or equivalent in natural, social, or applied sciences, relevant to GEO activities.
• A Doctorate or equivalent would be an advantage.
• A minimum of 15 years professional experience in leading complex, data-intensive scientific or environmental initiatives, combining Earth Observations experiences, either programmatic, engineering, or scientific, including the development of practical applications.
• A minimum of 10 years experience in organizational management at a senior or executive level, including sound financial and human resources management, demonstrated capacity to lead a successful team as well as the capacity for formulating and executing organizational strategies and plans.
• Management experience in an international organisation will be an asset.
• Proven experience with successfully engaging with a wide range of stakeholders (including national governments, international organizations, non-profit organizations, and the private sector) and facilitating collaboration across national and cultural borders.
• Demonstrated experience with resource mobilization and leveraging multiple stakeholder partnerships is desirable.
• Excellent and demonstrated leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills.
• Maturity of judgment, initiative, strategic thinking, and originality of ideas balanced with the sensitivity to work within an established organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and leverage partnerships across disciplines and sectors for the advancement of organization goals and priorities.
• Well acquainted in GEO culture and the GEO community including those engaged in the GEO Work Programme and related activities.
• Broad knowledge of Earth Observation and its socio-economic value, with insights into the impact of digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence on the field.
• Ability to communicate and serve as a persuasive and engaging proponent for the opportunities that Earth Observation offers for building a sustainable and prosperous world for the future.
• Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written).
• Knowledge of other working and/or official languages of the WMO Secretariat would be an advantage.

Skills

• Earth Observation
• Scientific Program Management
• Environmental Data Interpretation
• Organizational Management
• Finance Management
• Human Resources Management
• Strategic Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Resource Mobilization
• Partnership Building
• International Organization Management
• Leadership
• Team Leadership
• Decision Making
• Digital Transformation
• Artificial Intelligence Impact
• Intercultural Collaboration
• Communications Skills
• Program Development

Languages

English