Head of the Strategy Unit Dume

Head of the Strategy Unit
Braga
Dume, Braga, Portugal

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Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Group/Unit: Directorate

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 48 months

Open Date for Applications: July 4th, 2025

Closing Date for Applications: August 31st, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #strategicvision #R&Dprogrammes #advisorysupport #projectcoordination #stakeholderengagement #sustainability #innovation

Overview

The Head of Strategy will oversee the development, planning, and execution of the Organisation's strategic vision for the Research, Development and Innovation areas. The role involves aligning strategic objectives across the Organisation, providing expert advice to senior management, and facilitating effective communication and engagement internally and externally. This position works closely with the Director-General and senior leadership to advance the organisation’s
- term scientific and institutional goals.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

Strategic Development and Planning

• Develop, shape, and implement strategic plans, ensuring alignment with the Organisation’s scientific and innovation priorities and
  - term objectives;
• Lead the preparation and execution of
  - annual strategic R&D programmes in an International and Iberian context.

Leadership and Advisory

• Provide strategic guidance and advisory support to senior management, particularly the Director-General and the Executive Board;
• Ensure regular clear communication and efficient flow of strategic and operational information across all institutional levels.

Project Coordination

• Conceptualise, coordinate, and monitor significant institutional strategic projects and initiatives;
• Liaise with the Project Management and Project Financial Management Offices to ensuring timely delivery, relevance to INL and effective resource utilisation of institutional initiatives and projects.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Governments, academia, industry, RTOs and strategic partners;
• Develop and implement advocacy and communication strategies to support organisational objectives jointly with the Directorate Communications Officer and the International Relations Officer.

Analysis, Reporting and Insight

• Conduct comprehensive analyses and generate 3-month insightful reports on strategic progress and outcomes;
• Monitor external trends in research and R&D&I infrastructure, integrating insights into organisational planning.

Sustainability and Innovation

• Identify and promote interdisciplinary institutional projects and strategic collaborations;
• Advise on sustainability strategies, funding diversification, and
  - term institutional resilience.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• Master degree in Research Planning, Business Administration, Industrial Management, Finance, Economics, or other related fields.

Experience

Minimum relevant experience of 5 years in:

• Proven
  - level experience in strategic planning, implementation, portfolio management, preferably in an international research, academic, or intergovernmental environment;
• Demonstrated success in leadership positions, managing complex strategic initiatives across multiple sites or teams;
• Extensive experience advising senior management and coordinating diverse stakeholders;

Technical Skills

• Strong skills in strategic planning, execution, and programme management;
• Exceptional analytical and conceptual abilities, including proficiency in data analysis and financial reporting;
• Excellent and
  - level verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to influence
  - level audiences;
• High political awareness and ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics;
• Demonstrated capacity to monitor multiple concurrent institutional projects effectively.

Other Valued Skills and Qualifications

• Ph
  D in Research Planning, Business Administration, Industrial Management, Finance, Economics, or other related fields;
• Certification or training in strategic management or project management methodologies;
• Previous experience in strategy roles within intergovernmental or international research organisations.
• Apart from the English proficiency which is mandatory, knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish is necessary;
• German and French would be helpful, and will be valued.

Personal Skills

• High standard of professional ethics and integrity;
• Results oriented;
• Collaborative mindset and
  - solving abilities;
• Empathy and approachability;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Leadership and motivational skills;
• Strategic thinking;
• Adaptability to change;
• Strong negotiating skills commensurate with an international organisation;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

• Academic and/or Professional diplomas

Online application instructions:

• The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
• The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
• The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions.

Additional Information

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a
- discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl. int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

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