Senior Advisor

Job Purpose

The Senior Advisor has primary responsibility for guiding the Chief of Staff and the Office of the President towards identifying opportunities and risks in charting strategies for collaborative engagement and implementing and managing transformational activities at KAUST.  The Senior Advisor will be a principal contributor in the analysis, establishment, execution and evaluation of strategies and performance in areas with very high potential impact for the University.  The Senior Advisor is also expected to generate and quantify the research and innovation landscape assessment of global peer institutions to situate KAUST impact and standing in targeted areas, as well as to identify critical collaborators to achieve goals. The Senior Advisor will likewise perform quantitative and qualitative data gathering and impact assessment of strategic initiatives as may be requested by the Chief of Staff.

Major Accountabilities

• Advise the Chief of Staff on execution strategy for identifying and promoting revolutionary and evolutionary advances in research and innovation themes within the purview of KAUST.
• Identifies strategies to overcome short- and long-term barriers to development of strategic directions for the University and the Kingdom.
• Organizes technical and strategic activities engaging key internal stakeholders (including senior leadership and faculty) as well as external experts and partners in identifying strategic collaborations as well as activities that will help identify promising arenas yet unexplored by the University.
• Conducts operational and technical assessment of project progress and outcomes to guide strategic decision-making of the University.
• Works closely with the Chief of Staff to gather needed background information and plan strategic and transformational engagements.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Person Requirements

Competencies

• High-level scientific competence in one or more areas of research interest to KAUST, and able to demonstrate independence of thought, ability to catalyze discussions and strategically formulate research directions.
• Knowledge of university-based scientific and engineering research and graduate education, both mission and operations in the context of top global universities and institutions;
• Knowledge of research information systems;
• Knowledge of the research and development value chain;
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, organization, time management, analytical, and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify and solve problems, make decisions, and implement changes;
• Demonstrated strong management and facilitation skills of researchers, faculty, professional and support level employees in a multi-functional working environment;
• Ability to handle multiple and complex tasks and prioritize ongoing and new work assignments and deliver high-quality work against tight deadlines;
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster a cooperative work environment with multi-cultural research faculty, university research administrators, graduate students, colleagues, and others at all levels who are engaged in world-class research and demonstrated negotiation and conflict resolution skills;
• Excellent overall computer/computational skills and solid experience in data management software including databases (web-based and local);
• Presentation skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership;
• Demonstrated ability to account for and manage project information and to review and report on resource utilization and commensurate project outcomes;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English;
• Strong writing skills with the ability to tailor work for different audiences
• Adaptability and stress tolerance;
• Team player with high degree of flexibility.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a Science area central to KAUST’s mission.

Experience

• 15+ years of strong research-related professional experience, at least 6 years of which must have been basic or applied research, including research partnerships, center/center-like collaboration or equivalent specialized experience.
• Significant experience in research and or management in the Middle East would be desirable.
• Scientific publication record is required
• Experience in overseeing and managing projects, multi-functional programs and attendant resources;
• Experience in the operation and use of research information systems;
• Strong experience in analyzing and interpreting complex data sets;
• In-depth knowledge of procedures and guidelines related to project solicitation and management.