Vacancy announcement: International Social Science Council

20 October 2005

The post of the Secretary General of the International Social Sciences Council is opened for recruitment. The Search Committee invites applications for this senior executive position. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the Search Committee and the successful candidate will be presented to the ISSC General Assembly for an approval by vote in November, 2006. The incumbent is expected to be available to take up duties on Tuesday on January 2, 2007.

Principal responsibilities

Under the authority of the Executive Committee the Secretary General shall:

  • Take initiatives on scientific, strategic, policy issues, and fund-raising.
  • Foster co-operation and communication with Members and Scientific Programmes
  • Direct the secretariat and be responsible for the day-to-day work of the ISSC, including the appointment of staff, management of personnel and resources, and the enhancement of electronic communication.
  • Act as Secretary to the General Assembly and to the Executive Committee.
  • Prepare an annual draft budget and accounts for presentation to and approval by the Executive Committee; prepare a draft biennial budget; and cause the ISSC accounts to be audited annually by a qualified auditor.
  • Work with UNESCO and more generally with the UN system, as well as with CIPSH, ICSU and with other international and non-governmental organisations, with which the ISSC maintains statutory and/or working relations.
  • Perform such other functions as may be required.

Qualifications

  • An advanced academic degree in the Social Sciences (preferably PhD)
  • Extensive professional experience in planning and organising scientific programmes and activities, as well as in strategic, professional and policy questions
  • Demonstrated office management skills and experiences, including budget preparation, fund raising, staff relations, etc;
  • Capacity to lead in strengthening the use of information and communication strategies;
  • Familiarity with the procedures/practices/ activities of relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations;
  • Proven high-level liaison and representation experience, and public speaking experience and skills;
  • Skills and experience related to working in a complex international interdisciplinary, and multicultural environment;
  • Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of French.

Remuneration

The remuneration will be between ª45.000 and ª55.000 p.a., subject to qualifications and experiences.

The successful candidate could be an active or retired academic, science policy-maker or international civil servant.

Duty Station

Paris, where the incumbent of the post is required to reside, this being a full time responsibility.

Deadlines

Applications with short CV and names of the three referees should be sent to the ISSC Secretariat by May 31,2006 (UNESCO, 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15, Fax: +331 4566-7603, email issc@unesco.org.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed and asked for full CV and references by July 15, 2006 and the interviews will take place in Paris during September, 2006.