We are opening the position of Secretary General to strengthen efforts to ensure both political support and institutional and financial sustainability. The position is based in Paris, France. Deadline for applications: May 31, 2025.
Context
PREZODE Governance is currently organized around 3 main bodies: a Steering Committee (SC) proposing the strategic orientations to the General Assembly (GA); a General Assembly (GA) with all members validating the strategy of the initiative; and the Secretariat managing the daily functioning of the initiative under the responsibility of the General Secretary.
The overarching goal of the Secretariat is to support the development, implementation, and success of the Initiative by managing operational activities associated with the annual work plan defined with the SC and validated by the GA. The Secretariat provides substantive support to the other governance bodies. This implies liaising with the governance bodies (SC, GA, regional groups, partners, and stakeholders of the Initiative). The Secretariat will also organize the GA and SC meetings and follow-up activities.
Three Research Performing Organisations (RPOs), CIRAD, INRAE, and IRD, which have launched the PREZODE initiative, provide administrative management and financial support to the Secretariat. The decision body of this cooperation agreement, called the Executive Committee, is made up of representatives of the 3 RPOs and is focused on the smooth running of the Secretariat and the resources associated to this functioning. In application of the cooperation agreement linking the 3RPOs, the General Secretary is recruited by one of the 3 RPOs, INRAE, on behalf of the Executive Committee.
Main responsibilities of the Secretary General
Coordination
The Secretary General will be the head of the PREZODE Secretariat and, as such, will:
- Ensure coordination and leadership on the Secretariat’s team and final decision with the help of the Executive Committee in case of divergent views
- Liaise with the Executive Committee for the functioning and support of the Secretariat activities
- Ensure the application of the orientations decided by the SC and validated by the GA
- Propose operational plans and budgets for the Secretariat based on the SC action plan
- Coordinate activities related to the budget and funding of the Initiative
- Ensure the efficient management of the Secretariat’s resources
- Ensure the efficient day to day conducting of activities
- Ensure leadership with regard to the production of concrete deliverables from the Initiative, review and propose them to the SC for validation by the GA.
Governance & Representation
The Secretary General will be at the heart of relationships between the various bodies of the Initiative and its partners; therefore, she/he will:
- Interact with the Executive Committee and report to the Executive Committee for the execution of the budget provided within the framework of the cooperation agreement.
- Report and provide support to the President and Vice President of the GA and the Chair and Co-Chair of the SC.
- Participate in the decision-making process by providing knowledge in social and commercial law, economics, and human resources.
- Build and sustain relationships with stakeholders, and advocate with funding partners with the SC chair.
- Develop and implement a strategy for the sustainability of PREZODE, including fundraising
- Support the institutional strategic partnerships.
- Support the President of the GA and the Chair of the SC in their functions of representation.
- Represent the initiative in discussions with potential new members.
Skills
Accountability Professionalism
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal challenges; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or concerns; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and promoting the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; shows high integrity and develops a strategic vision and good/independent judgement; supports collaborators; has high standards of ethical behaviour and ability to reinforce them in others; represents the Initiative in an honest, ethical and professional way.
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits inputs by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree in sciences (Master’s degree requested, PhD desirable).
- Demonstrate experience in promoting and implementing One Health approaches.
- Preferably a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, with 5 years in a managerial position.
- Demonstrate a track record of fundraising and applying for diverse funding for international multistakeholder projects.
- Experience in project implementation / international development programs.
- Experience in project coordination with several partners from different domains.
- Demonstrated strategic planning and management abilities, including the capacity to administer extensive programs and financial resources.
- Strong knowledge in national and international policy-making and diplomatic procedures.
Other competencies
- Good understanding of the scientific issues in the Initiative.
- Interest in, knowledge of, and commitment to PREZODE vision, core mission, priorities and activities.
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to monitor, address and resolve team and/or individual performance.
- Proficiency with common software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Highly developed oral and written communication skills.
- Full proficiency in English – Proficiency in French or Spanish would be an asset.
- Ability to coordinate and interact with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
Conditions and process