Executive Director, The World Academy of Sciences

The Executive Director leads The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) to promote scientific excellence for sustainable development in developing countries. The role involves strategic guidance, leadership of international scientific cooperation programmes, resource mobilization, and coordination with associated organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, guidance and effective internal control of the work of TWAS staff in relation to the implementation of all TWAS programme activities, including the preparation of annual programmes, reports, action plans and budget projections to the UNESCO governing bodies and donors.
• Develop synergies with UNESCO programmes in sciences, including the promotion of international scientific cooperation, and explore and develop opportunities for joint initiatives within the Sciences and broader UNESCO family.
• Develop innovative approaches to promote South–South cooperation in sciences and the development of new scientific networks with leading international organizations in view to promote scientific excellence for sustainable development in the South towards the implementation of the Agenda 2030.
• Provide strategic leadership for resource mobilization.
• Act as secretary to the meetings of the TWAS Steering Committee and the TWAS Council.

Requirements

• PhD in a discipline related to the field of Sciences.
• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in scientific research and administration, including assignments at regional and/or international level.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a scientific environment with experience in human resources and finance management.
• Successful experience in fund-raising from governments and the private sector, and international funding and technical assistance organizations and agencies.
• Experience in the field of international relations and diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, development.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities.
• Good knowledge of UNESCO programmes and policies and of international development policies and institutions in science technology and innovation.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and to build relationships with diverse groups of organizations and individuals, relevant scientific research institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including through networking.
• Capacity to provide scientific and intellectual leadership to guide staff, as well as ability to build trust, manage, lead and motivate a large and diversified group of staff in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• High sense of professional integrity and political sensitivity; demonstrated ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing, in front of a broad range of constituents, as well as the news media.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making abilities, including strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Understanding of science, technology and innovation needs of developing countries.
• Other degrees or short- to medium-term training in disciplines relevant to the post (desirable).
• Experience in conducting policy dialogue at government and non-government levels or public and private sectors (desirable).
• Experience in research work and/or teaching at university or in a research institution (desirable).
• Broad knowledge of sciences, technology, research, innovation and engineering, with field experience (desirable).
• Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written).
• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and/or Spanish) (desirable).
• Knowledge of Italian (desirable).

Skills

• Scientific Research
• Scientific administration
• Leadership in Scientific Environment
• Human Resources Management
• Finance Management
• Fundraising
• International Relations
• Diplomacy
• Multilateral Cooperation
• Development Policy
• UNESCO Programme Knowledge
• Science Technology Innovation Policy
• Networking
• Scientific Leadership
• Staff Management
• Multicultural Environment Management
• Professional Integrity
• Political Sensitivity
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Analytical Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Strategic Planning
• Policy Dialogue
• Research Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Science and Technology Needs Assessment

Languages

English