Overview

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) invites applications for the position of Director of the International Project Office for Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX-IPOC), hosted jointly by the European Space Agency (ESA) and University of Cape Town (UCT). The IPO is based at ESA\u2019s UK site in Harwell, UK, and is led in coordination with the CORDEX programme and WCRP secretariat.

HE Space is supporting ESA with qualified experts for more than 40 years. The CORDEX IPO Director will lead the IPO going forwards in close collaboration with the Programme Manager and CORDEX leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establishing CORDEX-IPO onsite in ECSAT;
• Connecting CORDEX-IPO to the WCRP secretariat, particularly JSC and RIFS-IPO, and coordinating with the CORDEX panel to consider their requirements;
• Connecting CORDEX-IPO to the ESA Division on Climate and Long-Term Action and climate-related activities at Harwell Campus;
• Providing overall support to planning and implementation of CORDEX priorities, governance, and international coordination and communication between CORDEX and other WCRP Core Projects and Lighthouse Activities (LHAs) and international programmes;
• Managing CORDEX-IPO activities and office staff;
• Attending and representing CORDEX at sessions of CORDEX governing bodies and other national and international meetings;
• Ensuring budget use complies with ESA financial rules and regulations and WMO auditing requirements;
• Mobilizing financial and in-kind resources to cover CORDEX activities and additional CORDEX-IPO staff;
• Administering and managing allocated resources;
• Defining interaction with WCRP boards and deliverables in cooperation with the CORDEX panel and expanding international collaboration.

Qualifications

You will have the following qualifications and relevant experience:

Required

• PhD in physics or Earth science, or any other appropriate scientific field;
• Track record in climate research and modelling or climate science management;
• Expertise in setting up and developing an international project office or equivalent to support governance, infrastructure and outcomes of climate science projects relevant to CORDEX;
• Experience in working with international organisations within the climate network;
• Experience in leading large international projects and teams;
• Experience in attracting additional funding from various sources;
• Experience in effective user engagement and partner organisation management;
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience;
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Proficiency in English;
• Capacity to travel internationally;

Desirable

• Regional climate modelling experience (dynamical or statistical);
• Formal project/programme management training/qualifications;
• Experience of capacity building;
• Experience of working within the WCRP landscape;
• Experience of line management of remote teams.

Additional Information

This job is located in Harwell, UK.

If you think you have what it takes for this job, please send your CV (in English and in Word or PDF) to Leandros Foteinias, by clicking on the button Apply for this job quoting job UK-HP-25154.

Last apply date: 30/10/2025

Benefits

• Relocation support: Financial support for relocation expenses to Harwell and one month\u2019s paid accommodation if needed.
• Pension Scheme: All employees in the UK fall under a pension scheme; HE Space contributes to this pension scheme.
• Training & Professional Development: Support for attendance at conferences, e-learning, and related training.

Inclusive and committed employer, HE Space promotes a respectful working environment and gender diversity. We encourage all applications.