Director, Group on Earth Observations Secretariat

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall policy and programmatic direction and supervision for this position come from the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Executive Committee. The GEO Secretariat Director is accountable to the WMO Secretary-General for administrative matters in accordance with the WMO Financial and Staff Rules and Regulations. The incumbent will perform the following duties:

Policy and planning:
(a) Informs the Executive Committee (EXCOM) about the important factors affecting the mission of GEO and prepares positions and strategies upon request of EXCOM;
(b) Develops and executes multi-year and annual GEO Secretariat operations plans, aligned with the strategies and policies approved by Plenary and Ministerial Summit, updated by the Executive Committee, identifies resource requirements to achieve the plans, and annual performance metrics for the plan execution;
(c) Engages in strategic planning to maintain and expand the long-term sustainability of GEO's applications and products in consultation with the Plenary and Executive Committee.

Management and administration:
(a) Oversees the GEO Secretariat in preparing and supporting meetings and other work of the Plenary, Executive Committee, Programme Board and other
sub-entities, as appropriate;
(b) Takes work continuity and sustainability into consideration, and supports the Lead GEO Co-chair(s) to identify core issues for Executive Committee and Plenary agendas and facilitates effective discussions and clear outcomes in the Executive Committee, enabling it to fulfill its governance functions, as appropriate;
(c) Develops and executes annual GEO Secretariat operating budget and oversees the use of GEO Trust Fund resources, ensuring financial responsibility in compliance with the relevant WMO rules;
(d) Manages human resources of the Secretariat, including the development of a staffing plan, recruitment of qualified candidates, supervision and evaluation of staff performance, and creates an inclusive work environment that entails trust, creative thinking, collaboration, transparency, and recognition;
(e) Invests in directing and overseeing day-to-day activities of the Secretariat.

Stakeholder engagement:
(a) Develops and recommends to the Executive Committee actions for executing GEO's engagement strategy;
(b) Advocates for, communicates and demonstrates the value of Earth observations and GEO to a wide range of external stakeholders, consistent with the engagement strategy endorsed by the Executive Committee;
(c) Develops and maintains strategic relationships and build partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders through an inclusive approach, cultivating and pursuing opportunities for co-designing projects, involving downstream users, the private sector, and other partners as appropriate;
(d) Maintains a solid understanding of priorities, interests and capacities of the GEO community and engages with GEO's Member Governments, Participating Organizations, and Associates to stimulate their involvement in GEO's priority activities;
(e) Duly and systematically shares the lessons learned during the Implementation of GEOSS among stakeholders.

Compliance:
(a) Assures compliance of Secretariat's activities with applicable WMO legal,
regulatory and ethics rules;

Carry out other relevant duties as required.