Excellent opportunity for an experienced professional seeking a full-time, fixed-term role and eager to work in an innovative international team of experts to advance science and the use of data to address today’s global, multifaceted societal challenges.
- Location: Paris, France or remote working EU
- Deadline for applications: 28 September 2026
- Desired start date: November 2026-January 2027
- Duration: Two-year fixed-term contract (CDD: Contrat de durée déterminé, based on a contract under French law) in the first instance, but with the possibility of extension subject to funding.
About CODATA:
CODATA’s mission is to connect data and people to advance science and improve our world.
As the Committee on Data of the International Science Council (ISC), CODATA helps realise ISC’s vision of advancing science as a global public good. CODATA does this by promoting international collaboration to advance trustworthy, equitable and transparent science and to improve the availability and usability of data for all areas of research.
CODATA works also to advance the interoperability and the usability of such data and is an expert thought leader in the implementation of the FAIR principles and the application of data policy. Through its activities on Open Science and capacity building for data stewardship, CODATA is concerned to ensure global data equity and justice and enable the realisation of the UNESCO Open Science Core Values and Guiding Principles.
About the role:
The successful candidate will join the CODATA team that focuses on Data Policy, Legal and Organisational Interoperability (LOI) across a number of funded projects and CODATA initiatives, and will work under the guidance of our Project Portfolio Manager and Project Officer leading this team.
The Project Officer role will include working with the CODATA Data Policy and LOI team. LOI is an important area of activity for CODATA. This covers the conditions by which organisations can establish rules and agreements to maximise exchange of data and information (Organisational interoperability) in a manner that defines and complies with the relevant legal basis for data sharing (Legal interoperability). This work is being pursued in a number of projects and initiatives. Additionally, CODATA has contributed to a series of significant reports on data policy, and convenes the International Data Policy Committee (IDPC). The IDPC has subgroups on Data Policy for AI, Data Policy for Times of Crisis, and Data Policy for the UN Priorities beyond 2030. Recent work includes the UNESCO-CODATA Toolkit for Data Policy for Times of Crisis (DPTC). The appointee will work with the Data Policy and LOI team to support the work on the IDPC and DPTC.
A significant part of the appointee’s role will relate to the JUSTSAFE project, a Horizon Europe project focused on creating fair and inclusive climate resilience strategies across Europe. It prioritises vulnerable and marginalised groups, ensuring their needs shape adaptation solutions and digital transitions. In this project, CODATA focuses on developing sustainability strategies and creating a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data policy that will allow replication and mainstreaming of the project results across Europe and beyond.
We encourage candidates from different career stages to apply: particularly welcome are early career individuals looking for a chance to learn and progress their skills quickly in the context of a small, internationally recognised team of experts. More experienced candidates with a strong interest in the topic are also encouraged to apply. The onboarding process will be tailored to match the previous experiences and specific skills of the selected candidate.
This role is a fixed-term contract (CDD: Contrat de durée déterminé) in the first instance, but with the possibility of extension subject to funding. Applicants should hold a valid French or EU work permit, or be EU nationals. There will be an initial probationary period of four months in accordance with French employment law.
Responsibilities of the role: Project officer, Data Policy, Legal and Organisational Interoperability
- Project support
- Support CODATA’s contribution to the JUST-SAFE project, activities, timelines, and reporting.
- Support CODATA’s contribution to other projects as needed.
- Organise meetings, workshops and stakeholder consultations.
- Monitor progress, risks and results.
- Coordinate internal teams and external partners.
- Liaising internally and across projects.
- Supporting communication of outcomes and dissemination of activities.
- Data Policy & LOI
- Work with the CODATA Data Policy and LOI team.
- Provide support for the CODATA International Data Policy Committee and its subgroups.
- Conduct well-structured and transparent desk research.
- Analyse data policy, legal and organisational interoperability requirements.
- Develop clear and concise strategic documents (e.g policy recommendations, white papers, etc..).
- Monitor relevant European and International developments in data policy and LOI.
- Organisational development
- Contribute to the development of new organisational activities and initiatives.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration, partnership and stakeholder engagement.
- Contribute to organisational strategies, roadmaps and dissemination activities plans.
Qualifications and abilities:
The successful candidate will have:
- Higher education/university degree in relevant research discipline (e.g law, computer science etc..), with at least three years of work experience in science-policy, public or private sector administration or related fields.
- A postgraduate degree, studies in Public Management (such as a Master’s in Public Management or MBA studies with a similar focus) and fundraising experience will be considered advantages.
- Strong project management and coordination skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
- Experience with European projects, research organisations, Research Infrastructures or international collaborations is an advantage.
- Knowledge of the EU and EOSC Interoperability Frameworks is an advantage.
- Understanding of data governance, legal and technical challenges.
- Understanding of issues around sustainability and governance of cross-organisational IT systems.
- Strong awareness on ethics and responsible data use.
- High-quality abilities in desk research and analytical skills.
- Excellent writing skills, particularly for policy-related documents.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-engagement skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust and facilitate collaboration in a pluricultural environment.
- Ability to handle assigned tasks independently while working in a distributed team and to represent the team and project when required.
What we offer:
- Small and people-centric team working globally;
- Highly collaborative environment;
- Flexible working hours in agreement with the Executive Director;
- Competitive salary;
- Work either from Paris office and/or from home (some travel to project events will be necessary, mostly within Europe);
- Duration: Two-year fixed-term contract (CDD: Contrat de durée déterminé, based on a contract under French law) in the first instance, but with the possibility of extension subject to funding.
- Statutory 5 weeks of annual leave
- Statutory contribution to additional health insurance (mutuelle)
How to apply:
Applicants are requested to address the job description, qualifications, knowledge and skills requirements in a cover letter (maximum two pages); a curriculum vitae (maximum four pages) with the name and contact details of three referees; and a sample document that analyses and summarises an issue related to data policy or public/third sector sustainability options (for example, a briefing paper for a specified audience). Deadline for applications, 28 September 2026.
Questions can be directed to apply@codata.org.
Applications should ONLY be submitted via email to apply@codata.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered.