Executive Director / Délégué général

Executive Director

World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO)

Based at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France

€70,000 per annum plus bonus. OTE €80-€95k.

Engineering A Sustainable World: Lead the Global Voice of 30 million Engineers

The Opportunity

The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) seeks a dynamic Executive Director to lead our prestigious international secretariat. As the operational leader working alongside the President and Executive Board, you will support WFEO as the internationally recognized voice of over 30 million engineers across 100+ member institutions worldwide. 

Based at UNESCO headquarters, you will drive operations that connect governments, industry, and academia while ensuring WFEO effectively addresses humanity’s most pressing challenges. 

Your First 12-Months

This key leadership position offers worldwide visibility and the chance to shape the future of engineering for sustainable development. During your first year in post, you can expect to:

• Revitalise our internal organization and team structure
• Deliver World Engineering Day 2026 in Europe and Asia
• Organize the annual Executive Committee meeting in Saudi Arabia
• Facilitate the appointment of Presidents to our Standing Technical Committees
• Build strong relationships with our members and committee leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the President and Executive Board on our strategic direction
• Deliver the strategy to achieve a change in WFEO’s reach and impact globally
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the WFEO Secretariat, ensuring effective operations for the organization
• Support the governance processes of the organization including elections to the governing bodies and committees
• Support the Executive Board meetings which take place 4-6 times per year
• Drive financial sustainability through a combination of optimizing resources, budget management, developing new sources of revenue and driving fundraising initiatives
• Implement communication strategies for WFEO members and internal stakeholders
• Facilitate knowledge exchange among our global membership.

This position involves an international scope with activities often taking place outside normal working hours. The Executive Director will organize and participate in mostly virtual events and undertake international travel as required. Regular liaison with colleagues in different time zones is essential to meet organizational needs.

What you will get in return

• A competitive basic salary plus an attractive variable bonus pay element linked to the achievement of agreed goals and targets
• Health insurance, pension contributions, leave entitlements in accordance with French labour laws
• Location in Paris, France, in (UNESCO headquarters) 
• International travel opportunities approximately twice per year

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with both technical and commercial acumen who can grow the reach and impact of WFEO worldwide.

Essential Qualifications

• Engineering degree or substantial experience working with scientific professionals
• A successful track record of senior management experience in similar organizations or international contexts
• Proven leadership skills with high integrity and transparency
• Strong financial management and fundraising capabilities
• Excellent multicultural communication and public speaking abilities
• Fluency in spoken and written French and English (level C1)
• Experience developing strategic partnerships across multiple sectors
• The right to live and work in France without restrictions

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in international NGOs or UN-related bodies
• Knowledge of additional languages (Spanish, Chinese, Arabic)
• Background in sustainable development initiatives
• Understanding of engineering challenges in developing nations
• Experience in digital transformation and change management

Personal Qualities

• Strategic thinking and visionary leadership
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and global mindset
• Diplomatic skills and political acumen
• Results-oriented approach with attention to detail
• Ethical decision-making and professional integrity
• Innovative problem-solving capabilities

About the World Federation of Engineering Organizations

The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) is the premier international body representing the engineering profession worldwide. With over 100 member institutions from every continent, WFEO represents more than 30 million engineers globally and serves as their unified voice on the world stage.

As an NGO with official associate status with UNESCO, WFEO engages at the highest levels, including the Director General, the Assistant Director General of the Natural Sciences Sector, and Ambassadors and staff of UNESCO member states.

Our vision is to advocate for the critical role of engineers in developing society and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our 12 specialized committees. We work to serve society by using engineering knowledge and resources to build capacity worldwide, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Application Process

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive CV and cover letter detailing their relevant experience and vision for WFEO only addressed to Mr Lee Burnam at careers@wfeo.net with the subject line "WFEO Executive Director Application."

Application Deadline: Friday 25th April 2025 5.00pm CET (Paris time)

WFEO is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, or socio-economic status.