EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
OVERVIEW
Position Number : 1ITSC 0824VC
Grade : D-1
Parent Sector : Sciences Sector (SCS)
Duty Station : Trieste ICTP
Job Family : Natural Sciences
Contract Type : Fixed Term
Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Within the Sciences Sector of UNESCO, the World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS) promotes international cooperation in natural, basic and social and human sciences in the interests of peace and sustainable development.
The main objectives of the Academy are to recognize, support and promote excellence in scientific research in the South; to enable promising scientists in the South to advance their research and careers, to respond to the needs of young scientists in countries that are still developing in science and technology and promote gender equality in science, to facilitate contacts between individual scientists and Institutions in the South; to encourage North–South and South–South cooperation in science technology and innovation; and to promote scientific research on major challenges faced by developing countries.
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Sciences and the direct guidance of the Steering Committee and the Council of TWAS, the Executive Director leads the Academy in fulfilling its mandates to promote scientific excellence for sustainable development in the South towards the implementation of the Agenda 2030.
The Executive Director provides strategic guidance to promote scientific research on developing countries, encourage North–South and South–South cooperation between individuals and centres of scholarship, consolidate TWAS function as a global laboratory of ideas, foresight and anticipation, to design innovative proposals for the development of public policies, bridging research, policy and practice.
KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Sciences and the guidance of the TWAS Steering Committee and the TWAS Council as regards the programmatic direction, the incumbent will be responsible for providing intellectual, strategic and operational leadership in the development, management, planning and execution of TWAS international scientific cooperation programmes, in line with the Organization’s policies and procedures and within the framework of UNESCO’s approved Programme and Budget (C/5). The incumbent shall also be responsible for the coordination of the work with the associated organizations hosted by the Academy; the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Inter academy Partnership, bringing together renowned networks of academies of science and medicine.
In this context, the incumbent will:
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.
For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult our website: , and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029), 43 C/5 (UNESCO’s Draft Programme and Budget for 2026–2029 quadrennium).
COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)
Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
PhD in a discipline related to the field of Sciences.
WORK EXPERIENCE
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 a