Vacancy Announcement

Director, ICSU Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

The International Council for Science (ICSU) invites applications for the post of Director of its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, which was established in 2007 and previously hosted at the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. The Office will be moving to Mexico in October 2010 and will be hosted at the Mexican Academy of Sciences; which is where the new Director will take up duty.

ICSU is a non-governmental organisation with a global membership of National Scientific Bodies (121 Members, representing 141 countries) and International Scientific Unions (30 Members).  ICSU mobilises knowledge and resources of the international scientific community to strengthen international science for the benefit of society. Activities focus on three areas: International Research Collaboration; Science for Policy; and Universality of Science.

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is responsible for promoting and facilitating the increased participation of Latin America and Caribbean countries and scientific organisations in the activities of ICSU and its Members. It also ensures that ICSU’s strategy and activities are responsive to the needs of the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Thus, the Office is assisting in strengthening science and building scientific capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Office receives strategic and scientific guidance from the ICSU Regional Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (RCLAC).  The RCLAC develops strategic plans and approves work plans for the Office. Members of the Regional Committee are nominated by ICSU National Members in the Latin American and the Caribbean region.

The Director is responsible for the activities of the Regional Office under the direction of the ICSU Executive Director (based in Paris). The staff of the Office will consists of a minimum of three persons. The Director is appointed for a term of three years, renewable, under the general conditions applicable to staff at the Mexican Academy of Sciences.

ICSU is seeking candidates with the following:

Qualifications and knowledge

• A PhD degree in a scientific discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience in science management including experience in the organization and coordination of international inter-disciplinary and collaborative science initiatives.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish; knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a small team responsible for supporting an international scientific programme(this support will include, the provision of secretariat support for meetings; producing reports of meetings and project plans; ensuring a timely flow of information to stakeholders through publications and web-based systems; organizing and supporting international conferences) and experience in fundraising for scientific activities.
• Prior knowledge of ICSU and its major partners and of Latin America and the Caribbean regional initiatives for science would be an additional advantage.

Skills

• Excellent skills in strategic planning as well as human resources and financial management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of project stake holders, including researchers from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds and to work with people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds
• Be prepared to travel internationally.

Applicants are requested to address the above description and qualifications in a cover letter and attach a curriculum vitae with the name and contact details of three referees. Applications, with ‘ROLAC Director’ in the subject line, should be sent via email to recruitmenticsu.org and addressed to Professor Deliang Chen, Executive Director, International Council for Science (ICSU).

The closing date for applications is 31 August 2010.

This position is only open to citizens of countries of the Latin America and the Caribbean region. It is expected that the Director will start his/her appointment on 1 November 2010.