Research Liaison Officer (Paris)

Future Earth is the global research platform providing the knowledge and support to accelerate our transformations to a sustainable world. It emerges out of a prestigious 30 year global environmental change programme and as such, comprises a number of established research projects that have been creating critical knowledge that is driving understanding of the need for transformation to global sustainability.

Future Earth will be served by a globally distributed Secretariat that uniquely encompasses five Global Hubs located in five different countries, connected through a dynamic, networked structure. This will include Regional Hubs and partners. The distributed model unites a diversity of perspectives, stakeholders and geographical locations. The Secretariat will work through virtual teams that ensure that this diversity of perspective and global reach is a daily reality.

Position Description

Future Earth is seeking initially 3-5 Research Liaison Officers for its newly established distributed Secretariat. 

We seek individuals with a PhD in a subject relevant or close to the topics central to the vision of Future Earth who have experience in both research and some research coordination. Candidates with experience in sustainability and environmental research from a trans-disciplinary perspective will be encouraged.

Responsibilities: The Global Research Liaison Officers will work as part of a globally distributed Research Enabling Team to be the point of entry, exchange, dialogue and feedback between the Secretariat and the research communities in their joint pursuit of the Future Earth agenda.

Each Global Research Liaison Officer will:

• Liaise with the research community via a set of ‘Core Projects’ by maintaining dialogue and information exchange with International Project Offices
• Act as the key interface between Core Projects' research and the different functions of the Secretariat (Communications, Synthesis, Capacity building, Regional architecture, etc)
• Attend, design and co-ordinate workshops, meetings and events, both virtual and in-person
• Support and facilitate connections across the Future Earth community on research issues
• Prepare briefing documents for the Executive Team and Future Earth Science and Engagement Committees
• Work with Core Projects to widen their engagement networks where appropriate
• Become familiar with the Core Projects strategy and their research.

Candidate qualifications

• An advanced scientific degree (Doctorate or equivalent) in a relevant natural or social science discipline
• Broad knowledge of Global Environmental Change science, with depth in at least one discipline and experience of transdisciplinary or interdisciplinary research projects
• Excellent communication skills in English, especially in written communication
• Good working knowledge of MS Office systems or similar
• A demonstrated interest in building bridges across disciplines and with relevant sectors, partners and users of research

We are seeking someone who:

• Is comfortable working remotely/virtually
• Has excellent people skills
• Is experienced in balancing multiple projects, jobs and tasks
• Is willing to travel internationally (max 4-5 trips per year, 2-3 nights away each time)
• Enjoys keeping up with scientific literature and engaging with new areas of research
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and a willingness to work within a multi-cultural environment
• Is able to draft reports, and analyse and summarize scientific information
• Is action-orientated and responsible
• Is creative and willing to take initiative

Conditions

Recruitment is carried out on behalf of the local and national partners of the different Global Hubs.

Future Earth: Background

Bringing together and in partnership with existing programmes on global environmental change, Future Earth will coordinate new, inter- and trans-disciplinary approaches to research on three themes: Dynamic Planet, Global Sustainable Development and Transformations towards Sustainability. It will also be a platform for international engagement to ensure that knowledge is generated in partnership with society and users of research. It is founded on the principle of the co-creation and co-design of these knowledge products. Future Earth is open to all stakeholders of interest including researchers of all disciplines of the natural and social sciences, as well as engineering, health, law and civil society.

Future Earth is sponsored by the Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability (“the Alliance”) comprising the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Social Science Council (ISSC), the Belmont Forum of funding agencies, the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations University (UNU), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 

The new 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 will provide coordination and enabling services to Future Earth communities of researchers, decision makers and practitioners. While distributed on 3 continents, the Secretariat will operate as a single entity under the direction of an Executive Director. The distributed governance infrastructure is placed in the five hubs under the direction of five Global Hub Directors.

Applications are now open for a position in the Colorado Global Hub. Read more and find out how to apply (opens pdf).