Commissioned by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) to implement French technical assistance funded by the MEAE, Expertise France is seeking a Deputy Director & Advisor to the Director, CEFIPRA.

In guidance from the Director of CEFIPRA, the Advisor & Deputy Director brings his/her expertise in the scientific and technical management of CEFIPRA, and facilitate/help towards the implementation of JCST decisions.

He/she will be reporting to Director CEFIPRA and will have the following missions as per guidance of Director CEFIPRA:

• Providing necessary support to Director CEFIPRA in strengthening the bilateral research and innovation cooperation in the context of the bilateral strategic partnership
• Help in aligning CEFIPRA with international standards for research funding agencies and facilitate positioning of CEFIPRA as a model of joint research funding agency, recognized on the regional and international scene
• Facilitate in contributing to improving the bilateral research and expertise on strategic sectors such as defined by the joint committee on science and technology (JCST)
• Facilitate in strengthening the relationship of France & India as privileged partners in the field of scientific, academic and industrial collaborations 

The Indo-French Center for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA/IFCPAR) is an Indian body which promotes scientific cooperation between France and India in advanced fields of Science and Technology. It is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French government, with a funding of more than 2 million euros each per year. CEFIPRA is funding collaborative research projects, organizing seminars in areas of interest related to Science and Technology, contributing to mobility at master's and doctoral level between the two countries, as well as the development of inter-university partnerships. Since its creation, it has supported more than 700 scientific research projects and 200 seminars, the mobility of over 900 doctoral students and 300 post-docs. It thus acts as a real catalyst for Indo-French cooperation in the scientific, technological and innovation fields. As a structure governed by Indian law, it is currently composed exclusively of Indian staff (about 14 people).

The office of the Deputy Director / Advisor will be located within the CEFIPRA premises, New Delhi. He/She may be required to travel within India and in France as per the CEFIPRA needs.

He/She will be reporting to Director CEFIPRA for all administrative matters.

Main tasks and expected outcomes:

• May participate in CEFIPRA bilateral committees (FSC, SC, GB etc) and strengthening the governance (schedule, calendars, calls for proposals) as per the guidance from Director.
• Supporting the Director in:
  • the management of the team,
  • representing the Director when appropriate,
  • the coordination of CEFIPRA activities, especially for the different research programmes within CEFIPRA and their coordination with bilateral programmes out of CEFIPRA (ANR for instance), as agreed during the last JCST.
  • Help increasing the quality of the administrative processes occurring within CEFIPRA reporting and evaluating the impact of the CEFIPRA through extensive bibliometric analysis and the identification of long term impact of projects previously funded (publication impact, patents, industrial developments...).
  • Help in analyzing and implementing the digitization of the center (submission platform, project management platform etc). 

• With the guidance from Director, contributing to strengthening the Indo-French scientific and technological cooperation through: 
  • Deepening the existing scientific cooperation by analysing the development prospects and helping to identify potential new sources of funding;
  • Promoting CEFIPRA initiatives within the India-France Year of Innovation including the follow-up and the scaling up of these initiatives, especially in the link with IARDP programme.

• Qualifications:

Essential: PhD degree in science, engineering, medicine or allied disciplines.

Languages: Proficiency in French and in English – minimum C1 level required (essential)

Desirable: 5+ years of experience including managerial responsibilities, within a public or semi-public university and/or research establishment or in the R&D department of a private company.

Knowledge of computers

Experience of working with international organizations

Knowledge of administrative and financial management

Connections with French/Indian institutions and research/funding organizations

• Experience: 

Experience in the administration of national and/or international programs in Science/Technology or Innovation.

Knowledge of the Indian and/or French scientific and technological communities and systems.

Experience in program development and implementation.

Administrative and managerial expertise including financial monitoring, control and project financing.

Experience within a national research funding agency is a plus.

• Competencies:

Demonstrated excellent ability to interact effectively with scientists and administrators from government agencies, universities, research institutions and industries.

Demonstrated ability to set up and manage joint scientific, technological and innovative activities.

Ability to adapt to a different cultural environment.

Knowledge of the Science and Technologic landscape in France and/or India.

Ability to make decisions and apply policies, regulations and guidelines.

Efficient use of resources with proper financial prudence.

Ability to connect and secure support from funders and diversify funding sources.

• Lieu de la mission : New Dehli, Inde
• Durée de la mission : 24 mois
• Date de prise de fonction indicative : à partir de septembre 2026
• Type de contrat : CDDU, contrat de travail de droit privé (les agents publics seront détachés auprès d’Expertise France pour la durée de la mission)
• Rémunération établie d’après la politique de rémunération d’Expertise France : salaire de base + (le cas échéant) forfait famille + prime de technicité et d’expatriation + prise en charge des frais de logement* et, le cas échéant, de gardiennage* + prise en charge des frais de scolarité * pour les enfants de moins de 21 ans accompagnant l’expert dans le pays de résidence +  billets d’avion aller-retour adresse contractuelle – lieu de résidence, soit 1 aller initial, 1 aller-retour intermédiaire, 1 retour final + prise en charge des frais de déménagement* et de visa* + Couverture sociale (CFE, mutuelle, prévoyance)

(Les éléments signalés par une * correspondent à des frais remboursés à l’expert sur justificatifs, dans la limite du budget alloué par Expertise France)

Documents à fournir :

• CV au format Expertise France en français et en anglais (modèle à télécharger sur notre site internet)
• Lettre de motivation en français et en anglais

NB : Les candidat(e)s intéressé(e)s par cette opportunité sont invité(e)s à soumettre leur dossier dans les meilleurs délais, Expertise France se réservant la possibilité de procéder à la présélection avant la date de fin de publication.