International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Careers

Intergovernmental Relations Officer

Job Reference: Ref.09.24.53

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Directorate

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 48 months

Open Date for Applications: October 2nd, 2024

Closing Date for Applications: November 3rd, 2024, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #internationalrelations #lGO #intergovernamentalrelations

Overview

INL is an International and Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO) dedicated to research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Its Human Resources Department (HR) is committed to work strategically with emphasis on people and provides a service based on consultation and communication with the INL community, ensuring that the HR activities fit into INL’s overall strategy.

INL is seeking an Intergovernmental Relations Officer (IRO) to foster and enhance the Organisation’s international presence and collaborative efforts. The IRO is pivotal in establishing and nurturing relationships with scientific communities, government representatives, and international organisations both in Europe and globally. In that work the IRO ensures that INL remains at the forefront of scientific excellence and international cooperation.

Through strategic activities, the IRO contributes to align INL’s objectives with global scientific, industrial, and socio-economic sectors. The role leverages INL’s legal status as an Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO) to establish and maintain high-level international relations.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Provide informed political advice and expertise to the Director-General and senior leadership;
• Shape and implement the international and European relations strategy of INL at political and science policy levels;
• Develop and support cooperation with Member States, prospective Member States, and Associate member States by interacting with governments, national science policy entities, and research institutes;
• Formulate and implement action plans for engaging Spanish research and scientific stakeholders;
• Collaborate with the Director-General to identify and target new Member States, by agreeing on a shortlist of potential new Member States, setting criteria for their identification;
• Establish and maintain direct relations with other States and international organisations;
• Develop and manage scientific and technical cooperation programmes with global laboratories;
• Foster collaborations with industrial and economic sectors to enhance INL’s international cooperation.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• University Degree in relevant fields.

Language

• English is the official language of this organisation. Proficiency in other languages spoken by our member states (Portuguese and Spanish) is considered an advantage.

Experience

• Proven experience working in international settings, understanding different cultural, political, and scientific landscapes;
• Strong background in policy analysis, capable of shaping and implementing international and European relations strategies;
• Expertise in science diplomacy, using scientific collaboration to build and maintain international relations;
• Experience in coordinating and implementing cooperation programmes with governments, national science policy agencies, and research institutes;
• Proven negotiation skills for high-level international relations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master´s degree in relevant fields;
• Proficiency in managing complex projects and overseeing scientific and technical cooperation programmes;
• Competency in global and EU affairs, particularly in research and innovation;
• Proficiency in additional languages is an asset.

Personal Skills

• High standard of professional ethics and integrity;
• Empathetic and approachable, building relationships based on trust and openness;
• Strong organisational skills and results-oriented, capable of overseeing multiple initiatives aligned with INL's objectives;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, able to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively;
• Resilience in facing challenges and the adaptable to dynamic environments;
• Strong teamwork skills, fostering a collaborative environment within INL and with external partners;
• Effective problem-solving capabilities.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other diplomatic privileges (where applicable);
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter

b)     Curriculum Vitae

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question-based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. The candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we shall provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.