Science-policy engagement officer

Science-policy engagement officer

Job description

Background

The Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) is an initiative launched and supported by the University of Geneva and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Its mission is to strengthen links between academia and the actors of multilateralism in Geneva, with a view to mobilising scientific expertise to address major global challenges, notably in the fields of environmental governance and global health.

To this end, the GSPI acts as a facilitator by bringing together scientific communities and international organisations based in Geneva. It encourages dialogue and develops collaborations between these actors to promote better integration of scientific knowledge into multilateral processes.

To ensure continuity of its activities during a maternity leave, the GSPI is seeking a collaborator to join its five-person team on a temporary replacement basis. In close coordination with the organisation's management and relevant partners, the recruited person will contribute to supporting the co-design of initiatives in partnership with actors from the United Nations system, ensuring their proper development and implementation.

Responsibilities:

The recruited person will contribute to monitoring and developing existing partnerships and new collaborations. They will participate in identifying partners' needs and opportunities for collaboration with scientific communities, as well as in implementing joint initiatives. These collaborations may notably concern environmental and sustainability issues, natural hazard risk reduction, global health, as well as scientific and technological advances.

In close collaboration with the GSPI leadership, the recruited person will contribute to analysing collaboration opportunities, assessing their relevance and feasibility, and formulating concrete proposals taking into account institutional priorities, partners' needs and available expertise.

They will also participate in the design and structuring of joint initiatives, project development and identification of relevant funding sources, particularly for collaborations likely to be long-term.

Finally, they will contribute to coordination and ensure operational follow-up of the initiatives entrusted to them, ensuring quality relationships with partners, mobilisation of necessary expertise and achievement of agreed results.

Title and required skills

Candidate profile:

The ideal candidate has proven experience in partnership development and co-construction of collaborative projects involving various stakeholders. They are able to analyse parties' needs, identify converging interests and transform opportunities into concrete projects. Equipped with excellent project and partnership management skills, they can coordinate multiple stakeholders, monitor commitments and ensure results. The candidate has excellent English skills, both spoken and written.

They are comfortable in multilateral institutions and diplomatic environments, and understand the specifics of academic settings. They have excellent knowledge of the dynamics of International Geneva and the multilateral system. They know how to interact with a diversity of actors, build trust relationships and advance strategic collaborations in complex environments.

Their strategic sense, political intelligence, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit enable them to contribute to designing relevant initiatives aligned with GSPI's development priorities. Experience in fundraising is an asset.

The candidate can facilitate meetings among actors with varied profiles. They have research and analytical skills and can write documents for different audiences. They understand the specific challenges related to dialogue between science and public policy. Skills in translating scientific knowledge into policy briefs and decision-support documents are also desirable.

Autonomous, rigorous, dynamic and comfortable with complexity, they quickly find their bearings, prioritise tasks and advance dossiers. They wish to put their skills at the service of a growing platform and collaborate with a dynamic five-person team during a temporary replacement, ensuring continuity of partnerships and contributing to GSPI's development initiatives and strengthening links between science and multilateral policies within International Geneva.

Start date

1st February 2027 or by agreement

Contact

Further information may be obtained from: Nicolas.Seidler@unige.ch

Additional information

To respect the environment and optimise the processing time of your application, your file (curriculum vitae, cover letter, copies of diplomas and work certificates, list of publications) must be submitted exclusively online by clicking the button below "Postuler/Apply now". Paper applications are not accepted.

This is a 6-month fixed-term contract to cover a maternity leave funded by grants.

Job description

Background :

The Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) is an initiative launched and supported by the University of Geneva and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Its mission is to strengthen links between academia and the actors of multilateralism in Geneva, with a view to mobilising scientific expertise to address major global challenges, including in areas such as environmental governance and global health.

To this end, the GSPI acts as a facilitator, bringing together scientific communities and international organisations based in Geneva. It promotes dialogue and fosters collaboration between these actors to encourage the greater integration of scientific knowledge into multilateral processes.

To ensure continuity of its activities during a period of maternity leave, the GSPI is seeking to recruit a temporary team member to join its five-person team. Working closely with the organisation's management and relevant partners, the successful candidate will contribute to supporting the co-design of initiatives in partnership with actors from the United Nations system, and to ensuring their effective development and implementation.

Responsabilities :

The successful candidate will contribute to maintaining and developing existing partnerships, as well as establishing new collaborations. They will help identify partners' needs and opportunities for collaboration with scientific communities, and contribute to the implementation of joint initiatives. These collaborations may focus in particular on environmental and sustainability challenges, natural hazard risk reduction, global health, and scientific and technological developments.

Working closely with the GSPI leadership, the successful candidate will contribute to analysing collaboration opportunities, assessing their relevance and feasibility, and developing concrete proposals that take into account institutional priorities, partners' needs and available expertise.

They will also contribute to the design and development of joint initiatives, the preparation of project proposals and the identification of relevant funding opportunities, particularly for collaborations with the potential to develop over the longer term.

Finally, they will contribute to the coordination and ensure the operational follow-up of the initiatives entrusted to them, maintaining high-quality relationships with partners, helping mobilise the necessary expertise and monitoring progress towards agreed results.

Candidate Profile :

The ideal candidate has proven experience in partnership development and the co-design of collaborative projects involving a range of stakeholders. They are able to analyse stakeholders' needs, identify common interests and translate opportunities into concrete projects. With strong project and partnership management skills, they are able to coordinate multiple stakeholders, follow up on commitments and ensure that agreed results are achieved. They have an excellent command of English, both spoken and written.

They are comfortable working with multilateral institutions and diplomatic circles, and understand the specificities of the academic environment. They have an excellent understanding of the dynamics of International Geneva and the multilateral system. They are able to engage with a diverse range of actors, build relationships of trust and advance strategic collaborations in complex environments.

Their strategic outlook, political acumen, creativity and entrepreneurial mindset enable them to contribute to the design of relevant initiatives aligned with the GSPI's development priorities. Experience in resource mobilisation is an asset.

The candidate is able to facilitate meetings involving participants from diverse backgrounds. They have strong research and analytical skills and are able to produce written materials for different audiences. They understand the specific challenges involved in fostering dialogue between science and public policy. Experience in translating scientific knowledge into policy briefs, synthesis reports and decision-support documents is an asset.

Self-reliant, organised and comfortable working with complexity, they are able to quickly familiarise themselves with new responsibilities, prioritise tasks and move work forward. They are keen to put their skills at the service of a growing platform and to work alongside a dynamic five-person team during a temporary replacement period, helping ensure continuity in partnerships, supporting the GSPI's ongoing development initiatives and contributing to strengthening links between science and multilateral policymaking in International Geneva.

Start Date :
1st of February 2027, or by mutual agreement.

Contact :
Further information may be obtained from: nicolas.seidler@unige.ch

Additional Information :
In order to minimise environmental impact and ensure the efficient processing of applications, applications (including a curriculum vitae, cover letter, copies of diplomas and employment certificates, and a list of publications) must be submitted exclusively online by clicking on the “Postuler/Apply now” button below. Applications submitted in paper format will not be accepted.

This is a six-month fixed-term contract to provide cover for a maternity leave.

The University of Geneva offers motivating employment conditions in a stimulating work environment. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills and personality and actively contribute to the reputation of an institution founded in 1559.

In the interest of gender parity, the University encourages applications from the underrepresented sex.