Background

The position is located within the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Secretariat. The Director will lead, facilitate and support activities of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), based on the direction and supervision provided by the GEO Executive Committee. The GEO Secretariat Director is accountable to the WMO Secretary-General for administrative matters in accordance with WMO Financial and Staff Rules and Regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

Policy and planning:
a) Provide high-level strategic input on GEO's overall strategies and policies working through the Executive Committee and Plenary governance processes.

b) Develop and execute annual Operating Plans aligned with, and in furtherance of GEO’s strategies, directions and priorities provided by the Executive Committee and Plenary, with key performance indicators and an associated annual budget (including staffing requirements). Report to the Executive Committee and the Plenary on Secretariat performance against these indicators through periodic programmatic and financial reports.

c) Advance the implementation of GEO’s strategy by working with the Programme Board, and relevant Working Groups or Task Forces and by developing and fostering the evolution of GEO activities in line with the GEO Work Programme and the GEO Work Programme monitoring and evaluation framework.

Management and administration:
a) Develop Executive Committee’s and Plenary’s agendas in cooperation with the Co-Chairs and facilitating effective discussions leading to operational decisions.

b) Oversee the preparation of all necessary documents for the efficient and effective functioning of GEO, including programmatic, budgetary and financial reports, for Executive Committee or Plenary approval.

c) Ensure effective organization of meetings of other GEO bodies, including the Programme Board, Task Forces, and Working Groups.

d) Oversee the development and maintenance of the GEO Infrastructure, fostering its integration with emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, to support the vision of "Earth Intelligence for All", if applicable.

e) Develop and execute annual GEO Secretariat operating budget and oversee the use of GEO Trust Fund resources, ensuring financial responsibility in compliance with GEO rules of procedures and the relevant WMO regulations.

f) Manage human resources of the Secretariat and provide strategic oversight on the development of a staffing plan, recruitment of qualified candidates, supervision and evaluation of staff performance, and create an inclusive work environment that entails trust, creative thinking, collaboration, transparency, well-being and recognition.

g) Guide and oversee all activities of the Secretariat and assure compliance of the Secretariat's activities with applicable WMO legal, regulatory and ethics rules

h) Carry out all other relevant duties as required by the GEO Executive Committee or Plenary.

i) Provide authoritative guidance and strong leadership to the GEO secretariat to ensure cross-institutional synergy and the timely implementation of governing body decisions.

Stakeholder engagement:
a) Develop and execute GEO engagement strategy and communication activities both for GEO members and external stakeholders; Organize GEO fora, symposia and other GEO community events in coordination with the Executive Committee and Programme Board as appropriate.

b) Act as an internationally recognized champion and advocate, communicate and demonstrate the value of Earth observations to a wide range of stakeholders, including, UN bodies, academia, commercial sector and civil society, consistent with the engagement strategy endorsed by the Executive Committee, seeking to actively catalyse partnerships that accelerate environmental, societal and economic impact.

c) Maintain a solid understanding of priorities, interests and capacities of the GEO community, including downstream users and the private sector. In consultation with the Executive Committee, Programme Board, and GEO principals, engage with GEO's Member Governments, Participating Organizations, and Associates to increase their involvement in and support for GEO activities.

d) In alignment with, and under the direction and oversight of GEO governing bodies, engage in resource mobilization to build and pursue high-level strategic partnerships to identify and secure funds, staffing and other resources for the GEO Trust Fund in support of Secretariat operations and key activities in.

e) Represent GEO, and support the representation of GEO Members’ collective interests, at the highest level in relevant international and intergovernmental fora.

f) Duly and systematically share the lessons learned during the Implementation of GEO among stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree or equivalent in natural, social, or applied sciences, relevant to GEO activities. A Doctorate or equivalent would be an advantage.

Experience:

a) 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.

b) A minimum of 10 years experience in organizational management at a senior or executive level. This includes 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.

c) Proven experience with successfully engaging with a wide range of stakeholders (including, but not limited to national governments and national agencies, 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.

Other Requirements:

a) 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

b) Demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and leverage partnerships across disciplines and sectors for the advancement of organization goals and priorities.

c) Well acquainted in GEO culture and the GEO community including those engaged in the GEO Work Programme and related activities.

d) Broad knowledge of Earth Observation and its socio-economic value, with insights into the impact of digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence on the field.

e) 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, and for the role of the GEO Secretariat to improve global coordination and collaboration towards this end.

Languages:

a) Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written). (Note: the working language of the Group on Earth Observations Secretariat is English).

b) Knowledge of other working and/or official languages of the WMO Secretariat would be an advantage. (Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.)

Salary and Allowances

Annual net base salary on initial appointment is: US$130,477

Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$113,254 (in addition to the net base salary)

Additional Information :

GEO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Probation

Possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds and pending satisfactory performance after an initial probationary period of one year which can be extended up to a maximum of two years.

Applications:

Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system. Do not send your application via multiple routes. GEO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom GEO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

GEO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Scam alert

GEO does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). GEO will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.