Capacity building and knowledge transfer (CBKT) programme – short-term secondment
The BIPM seeks a secondee who can contribute to the development of the BIPM CBKT programme:
- Department: International Liaison and Communication Department (ILC)
- Deadline for applications: 19 April 2026 (23h59 Paris time)
- Starting date: between May and September 2026
- Contract: Secondment, 6 months - Full-time basis, in Sèvres (Paris suburb), France
The activity of the BIPM International Liaison and Communication (ILC) Department focuses on strengthening coordination, liaison, communication, and promotion in support of the BIPM Strategy and Work Programme, thereby enhancing the effectiveness, visibility, and impact of the international metrology system. The Department promotes the importance of the global comparability of measurements through sustained engagement with international organizations of strategic relevance. It also contributes to improved coordination and recognition of Quality Infrastructure (QI) worldwide.
In addition to its international coordination activities, the BIPM delivers capacity building and knowledge transfer activities aimed at increasing the effectiveness with which Member States and Associates engage in the world-wide coordinated metrology system.
Principal duties and responsibilities
The secondee will report to the Director of the ILC Department, with day-to-day supervision provided by Project Leads in capacity-building and knowledge-transfer initiatives. The successful applicant will contribute to the following activities:
- Participate in the development of a BIPM/UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) joint publication showcasing the tangible impact of metrology through real-world use cases linked to each of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- draft and edit the publication in collaboration with the drafting team;
- evaluate available case study resources (websites, publications, etc.);
- liaise with potential case study authors;
- prepare and consolidating the case studies;
- prepare communication resources and materials.
- Assist in the development of knowledge transfer resources related to the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA), supporting effective engagement with its processes and requirements:
- update the CIPM MRA suite of presentations;
- update the KCDB video tutorials;
- update the KCDB tutorial presentations.
- Contribute to the development of additional capacity building and knowledge transfer resources relevant to the BIPM’s international liaison and coordination activities:
- contribute to the development of e-learning resources;
- contribute to the development of project proposals on educational tools and materials, as well as curriculum development, within the BIPM/UNESCO collaboration.
Professional background, skills and competencies
The secondment is open to staff members of a National Metrology Institute (NMI) or a Designated Institute (DI) from Member States and Associates with the following qualifications and experience:
- background in metrology (preferably within a national, regional or international metrology context);
- good understanding of CIPM MRA practices and the CIPM MRA database (KCDB);
- good understanding of the application of metrology in key areas such as trade, healthcare, science and technology;
- ability to use communication / media tools for the development of training resources;
- a good level of English or French (spoken and written) is essential.
Conditions
A
The home institute continues to pay the secondee's salary and related costs for the duration of the secondment. In addition, the BIPM pays a monthly allowance to the secondee, in euros, to cover living costs in Paris area. The secondee remains an employee of his/her institute. The secondee shall not at any time be considered as a staff member of the BIPM.
The BIPM will also provide support in facilitating the issuance of specific visas if needed, including for the accompanying family members if applicable, and in finding local furnished accommodation.
Applications
The BIPM encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender.
Informal inquiries can, in the first instance, be made directly to the ILC Department Director,
A letter of motivation, a full curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter of support from the NMI/DI Director of the applicant including his/her period of availability should be sent no later than 23h59 Paris time on
The BIPM retains the discretion not to fill this secondment opportunity, to offer a contract with a modified job description, or to offer a contract term for a shorter duration than the one indicated in this secondment announcement.
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