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Invitation to ICSU Members to host the CFRS secretariat

The International Council for Science has launched a call to its Members to host the secretariat of the ICSU Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS).

As a key ICSU policy committee, CFRS safeguards and promotes the Principle of Universality of Science, one of the strategic priority areas of the International Council for Science. For its core activities, the Committee needs to rely on additional support. Since October 2010, the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) has very generously hosted the CFRS Secretariat.

The International Council for Science has now issued a call to its members to consider hosting the CFRS Secretariat from October 2015 to ensure continuity of CFRS’s work.

Support is sought in the form of a dedicated part-time Executive Secretary (0.4-0.5 full-time equivalent) to sustain the Committee’s effectiveness in raising international awareness for, and to promote, freedom and responsibility aspects related to the conduct of science, in line with the Committee’s terms of reference and work plan for 2014-2017.

The tasks of the Executive Secretary involve preparing the biannual CFRS meetings, usually one in Paris and one outside Europe, and implementing the activities decided upon. Beyond drafting the meeting reports, the tasks include issuing of advisory documents, assisting in the organisation of scientific meetings, interacting with the global scientific community on relevant matters and writing letters in support of scientists who are imprisoned or otherwise exposed to threats.

The candidate and/or the host institution would ideally already be involved in dealing with issues related to scientific freedom and responsibility and/or would be interested in an opportunity to expand this work internationally. Interpersonal skills and the ability for accurate communication and writing in English are essential, while a background in international relations and/or knowledge of the global science community would be assets.

All expressions of interest should be submitted to Rohini Rao (rohini@icsu.org) as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, 23 January 2015.

Further information on the work of CFRS is available from the Freedom & Responsibility Portal on this website.

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