Work Programme Officer, P.4 (Fixed-term - 1 year), GEO Secretariat
Organizational Context
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is an intergovernmental partnership that provides trusted Earth Intelligence as a public good to support evidence-based decision-making. Hosted by the World Meteorological Organization, GEO brings together 117 governments and over 160 organizations, including leading space agencies, research institutions, UN bodies, and private sector innovators. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, GEO empowers everyone, everywhere, to access and contribute to open, actionable Earth observation data; enabling better decisions for people, planet, and nature. The GEO Work Programme (GWP) is the primary mechanism through which GEO implements its mission and strategic objectives. It is a coordinated, multi-annual portfolio of 49 activities developed and carried out by GEO Members, Participating Organizations, and partners to advance the use of Earth observations for evidence-based decision-making.
Job Purpose
Within the GWP team, and under the supervision of the Chief, Work Programme Coordinator, the Work Programme Officer holds operational responsibility for facilitating implementation of the GEO Work Programme and driving engagement with the GEO community. This includes overseeing the GEO Community Space and other mechanisms through which GEO Members, Participating Organizations and Associates connect, collaborate, and contribute to GWP activities. The Officer designs and delivers engagement events, including the GEO Symposium, and implements the GWP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, so that community engagement and evidence of impact strengthen the coherence, uptake, and visibility of the GWP.
Responsibilities
Serve as the principal operational focal point for the GWP community, managing relationships with activity leads and points of contact, coordinating responses to inquiries and information requests related to implementation, monitoring, reporting, and GWP-wide processes; Oversee the GEO Community Space, serving as the primary point of contact for community engagement, facilitating collaboration among GWP leads, and ensuring the Space functions as a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange and partnership building for GEO Members, Participating Organizations and Associates; Lead the design and delivery of the GWP's contribution to major GEO convenings, in particular the GEO Symposium, supporting the Programme Board and ensuring these reflect GWP priorities, showcase results, and foster meaningful participation from Members, Participating Organizations, Associates, and external partners; Assess draft Implementation Plans of candidate GWP activities against defined criteria and support the Programme Board and its M&E Taskforce in their review, acceptance, or improvement; Implement the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the GWP, including the development and administration of tools to collect monitoring data from GWP activities, in close coordination with the Programme Board and its M&E Taskforce; Analyse the progress, outcomes, and impact of GWP activities and prepare Progress Reports, GEO Highlights Reports, and strategic recommendations for the GEO Secretariat, Programme Board, and other GEO governance bodies; Provide governance support to the GEO Programme Board, including preparation of its meetings, related documentation, follow-ups and presentations on GWP monitoring, performance, and community engagement; Support Member Services-led engagement with GEO Members by providing tailored information, analysis, briefings, and advice on GWP activities, results, and engagement opportunities relevant to their priorities; Supervise the Partnerships Officer, Participating Organizations and Associates, including work planning, performance management, and professional development; Represent the GEO Secretariat, as delegated, in relevant intergovernmental, inter-agency, technical, and multi-stakeholder meetings, workshops, and events related to the GWP, and prepare substantive inputs, meeting summaries, and follow-up actions as required; Carry out other duties as required.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, international partnership coordination, community engagement, or event design and delivery, preferably in the context of Earth observations, environmental data, sustainable development, or intergovernmental organizations. Experience in monitoring and evaluation, governance support, and leading design of multi-stakeholder convenings is highly desirable. Experience supervising staff is an asset.
Skills
Working knowledge of the United Nations or a similar international organization. Familiarity with the work of the GEO Secretariat. Familiarity with scientific and technical concepts related to Earth observations, with the ability to convey complex concepts to non-specialist audiences. Ability to draft reports, correspondence and documents clearly and succinctly in English. Strong problem-solving skills and flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. Skills in collaboration, negotiation, and maintaining partnerships. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, plan, and manage multiple workloads. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and foster diversity and team spirit. Managerial-level proficiency in Communication & Influence, Collaboration & Team Dynamics, Inclusive Mindset & Cultural Awareness, Decision Making & Problem Solving, Integrity & Accountability, Innovation & Digital Agility, Stakeholder Understanding & Engagement.