Future Earth Vacancy: Science Officer (Paris)

The Paris Hub of the Future Earth Secretariat is seeking a Science Officer.

Location

Paris, France

Closing date for applications

24 May 2019

The Future Earth programme

Future Earth is an international research programme with a mission to accelerate the transformations to global sustainability through research and innovation. It builds on the networks of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), DIVERSITAS – a global programme on biodiversity science, and the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), and supports 20 Global Research Projects that generate research at the forefront of sustainability science.

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, and through seven Knowledge Action Networks (KANs) that are collaborative frameworks that facilitate highly integrative sustainability research on key societal challenges.

The Future Earth Secretariat and the Paris Global Hub

The architecture of the Secretariat for Future Earth is special in its global distribution. It encompasses five global hubs located in five different countries: the Canada (Montreal), France (Paris),  Japan (Tokyo), Sweden (Stockholm) and the US (Colorado), and connected through a dynamic network that includes regional centres and partner organisations. The Future Earth Secretariat is committed to inclusivity and to fostering the creativity and innovation required to address the challenges of global environmental change. In this spirit it provides coordination and enabling services to Future Earth’s communities of researchers, decision makers and stakeholders of sustainability science.

The Secretariat operates as a single entity under the direction of an Executive Team (composed of the Hub Directors and an Executive Director). Key functions of the Future Earth Secretariat include Research and Innovation, Communications and Engagement, Networks and Capacity, and Finance and Operations. .

The hub in Paris is mainly involved in Research and Innovation and Networks and Capacity. It has an important role in three Knowledge-Action Networks, which focus on the nexus between water food and energy, on natural assets and on ocean sustainability.

The Paris Hub is administered by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and hosted by Sorbonne University (Pierre et Marie Curie Campus). It is currently composed of 6 staff members: a Global Hub Director, a Deputy Director, 3 science officers and a coordinator.

Task description

The Science Officer will work in a dynamic international setting on a range of issues. The primary responsibilities of the Science Officer are outlined below but the role will be dynamic and will evolve in line with the requirements of the team in the Paris hub and the global Secretariat.

Coordinating the Food-Water-Energy Nexus Knowledge-Action Network (KAN),including acting as the liaison between the Future Earth Secretariat and KAN members and facilitating two way flow of information; preparing and supporting the work of the KAN Steering Committee; maintaining the Nexus KAN webpages and other communications materials (blogs, newsletters etc.); coordinating and facilitating in-person and on-line KAN meetings;  and facilitating the Nexus KAN Community on the Future Earth Open Network.

Coordinating production of the ‘Our Future on Earth’ annual science report,including liaising with the Executive Team and communications teams in the Secretariat and coordination of the overall work plan for report production; liaising with the Science Editor and report authors to ensure that outputs are being produced on time; coordination of the review of draft content produced by authors; acting as liaison for the Editorial Board, including coordinating and facilitating on-line meetings and the review and validation of the report chapters;; coordination  with the Future Earth communications team in terms of report graphic design and production.

Serving as the interface between science and policy, in particular between Future Earth and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Specific tasks include ensuring information flow, preparing targeted products, mobilizing the community, reporting and publishing, and organising activities.

Candidate qualification requirements

• Masters degree in a relevant sustainability science discipline (natural or social science).
• Entry level position with up to 2 years work experience.
• Expertise in global change and global sustainability issues, especially in one or several of the following areas: climate change, food systems, energy systems, water systems, extreme events and risks, earth system governance, management of natural resources, environmental policies.
• Excellent organizational and communications skills.
• Well developed sense of autonomy and ability to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Fluency in English (native speaker level); good command of French.
• Experience in working as a staff, intern or volunteer in an international and geographically dispersed project team.
• Availability to travel within France and abroad.
• Eligibility to work in France (i.e. EU citizen or existing valid work permit)
• There are no criteria in terms of age or nationality.

Conditions

• The position is scheduled to start in August 2019.
• This will be a 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 30-33k € depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Application procedure

Applicants to this position are requested to submit a curriculum vitae, together with a cover letter describing how their skills and experience would help them meet the requirements of the role. Applications (in one combined PDF file) should be sent via email to xavier.peres@futureearth.org with ‘Paris Science Officer’ in the subject line. The closing date for applications is 24 May 2019. Interviews will preferably be held in person in Paris, or alternatively online, in the week of 3 June 2019. These dates are provided for information and planning and should not be considered as an interview invitation at this stage. Further details on the Future Earth secretariat can be found on the website www.futureearth.org.