Senior Programme Manager – Ocean Sustainability (IPOS)

Description

• Hosting organisation: CNRS Foundation, hosting the Ocean Sustainability Foundation (OSF).
• Contract type: Fixed-term contract 12 months, with the possibility of evolving into a permanent role as IPOS develops beyond its demonstration phase; Full-time, 35 hours / week, ideally starting before October 1st, 2026.
• Location: On-site (France) with residual hybrid working arrangements possible part of the time (less than half); international travels as required.
• Working language: English; French is a strong asset.

About IPOS

The International Platform for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS) is a newly established international science-policy platform designed to support States and regional actors in implementing ocean sustainability commitments. IPOS is entering a critically important demonstration phase through the TEST-IPOS project, during which IPOS will implement actions under operational conditions, including Action Request #3 (involving an EU Member State) and Rapid Responses. Action Requests are medium-term processes producing peer-reviewed, context-specific policy options. Rapid Responses provide timely knowledge support in response to specific policy or implementation needs.

About the Role

OSF / IPOS is recruiting a Senior Programme Manager to join the IPOS Secretariat and support the implementation of the EU-funded TEST-IPOS project. The role combines responsibility for the delivery of Action Request #3 and upcoming Rapid Responses, strategic engagement with requesting authorities and partners, and support to the overall implementation of TEST-IPOS.

Main Responsibilities

Manage IPOS services and relations with requesting authorities

Act as Project Manager for Action Request #3 and up to 3 Rapid Responses (1 Rapid Response at a time), supervising and supporting the relevant Local Facilitators, experts and service teams. Local Facilitators will lead day-to-day in-country implementation and local engagement, working closely with the Programme Manager. The Programme Manager will ensure overall progress, coherence, risk management and timely delivery, while maintaining strategic relationships with the requesting authorities throughout the service cycle.

Ensure quality, learning and valorisation of IPOS services

In relation with the scientific director, ensure that service outputs are recognisably IPOS-like: rigorous, concise, accessible, inclusive, context-specific and directly useful for decision-making and implementation. Identify and record operational challenges and lessons learned, and contribute to improving IPOS tools, templates and workflows for future services.

In close collaboration with the Project Manager and the Secretariat, use evidence from IPOS services — their outputs, outcomes and impact — to support strategic engagement with States, institutional, scientific and financial partners, funders and relevant international organisations.

Support the implementation of TEST-IPOS

Support the IPOS Secretary General, Project Director and Secretariat in the overall implementation of TEST-IPOS and contribute, as required, to the operational and strategic priorities of the platform.

Profile

IPOS is looking for a senior programme-delivery or operations professional with:

• Substantial experience managing international, multi-stakeholder projects or programmes.
• Proven ability to supervise distributed teams and coordinate experts, institutions, public authorities and delivery partners.
• Experience engaging with governments, international organisations or intergovernmental processes.
• Strong organisational skills, including planning, risk management, follow-up and delivery oversight.
• The ability to translate complex scientific or technical material into concise, decision-oriented outputs.
• Excellent drafting, synthesis, communication and relationship-management skills.
• A strong interest in ocean governance, environmental policy, science-policy interfaces or international sustainability processes.

Experience with EU-funded projects, international scientific assessments, UN organisations, strategic partnerships or resource mobilisation would be a strong asset.

Application Process

Candidates should submit a CV and a short cover letter outlining their relevant experience and motivation to lucas.becquet@ipos.earth and pierre.karleskind@ipos.earth.

Deadline: August 7th, 2026. Expected starting date: October 1st, 2026.

More information: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/job-offer-ipos-senior-programme-manager-ugcPost-7485288787338690560-rnM4/