Deputy Director

We are pleased to support IBBIS in its development in Geneva under an exclusive mandate. As an international organization dedicated to biosecurity and biosafety, IBBIS strengthens international, regional, and national norms and develops innovative tools, including the Common Mechanism, a key system for screening synthetic DNA. In 2025, the focus is on expanding screening of synthetic DNA, supporting international standards, and assisting responsible research and innovation.

Missions

External focus:

• Supporting rapid yet sustainable organisational growth: Overseeing recruitment processes to attract candidates most aligned with the mission and institutional culture of IBBIS, foster staff retention, and ensure compliance with all relevant rules and procedures; collaborating with the ED to raise funding for and awareness of IBBIS;
• Fostering strong international relationships and collaborations: Participating in Geneva-based policy and technical processes, including from the Biological Weapons Convention, United Nations, and World Health Organization, Strengthening working relationships with key Geneva-based organizations and partners.

Internal focus:

• Creating an efficient and effective organization: Overseeing the operations of IBBIS Headquarters, assessing and improving organizational operating procedures evaluating performance, promoting our vision and culture, and developing strategies to improve results. Coordinating and drafting annual plans and revising strategy documents while actively contributing to the identification of emerging and cross-cutting issues and trends, relevant to the mission of the organisation;
• Converting vision to strategy: Lead the process of developing clear, time-bound organisational goals and objectives, tracking progress, and motivating staff to achieve them; evaluate organisational company performance and recommend strategies to improve results; monitor outputs to ensure achievement of key milestones in keeping with the organisation's determined success metrics.

Reports to Executive Director

Profil du candidat

• Advanced degree in a relevant subject (e.g. international relations, health security, business administration, etc.)
• Proven experience in a relevant senior leadership role
• In-depth understanding of biosecurity, dual use of the life sciences and biotechnology, or global health security
• Excellent leadership and organisational skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with meticulous attention to administrative details
• Knowledge of day-to-day operations of a small, growing organization (such as accounting, financial analysis and data analysis)
• Proven experience in strategic planning and business development, with a strong desire to take responsibility for owning and managing projects to a high standard
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Experience in raising public awareness and fostering stakeholder involvement within the private sector, civil society, or academia
• Government relations and public advocacy skills are an advantage
• Fluency in French is desirable
• Minimum 7 years experience in a relevant field
• Minimum 3 years experience in a senior leadership role, such as Chief of Staff, Head of Operations, COO

Conditions et Avantages

• Flexible Work Environment: The option to work either remotely or from the office in Geneva.
• Global Impact: A chance to contribute to the development of biosecurity tools and influence global standards in biotechnology.
• International Collaboration: Collaborate with global experts and contribute to International projects shaping the future of biotechnology and biosecurity.
• Strategic role for the organisation.