Job Opening

Posting Title:	Scientific Officer (Marine Scientific Research), P4
Job Code Title:	SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
Department/Office:	International Seabed Authority
Duty Station:	KINGSTON
Posting Period:	18 March 2021 - 16 May 2021
Job Opening Number:	21-Natural and Life Sciences-ISA-152203-R-Kingston (R)
Staffing Exercise	N/A

 

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources (OEMMR) at the International Seabed Authority headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.

The OEMMR is the Authority’s Secretariat unit tasked with providing scientific and technical inputs in the preparation of rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of activities in the Area. The primary responsibilities of the post will be to support the implementation of ISA’s Action Plan on marine scientific research (MSR) in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (Action Plan), adopted by the Assembly in 2020.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1.Coordinate and provide policy, scientific, and technical inputs on the implementation of the ISA’s Action Plan on marine scientific research in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (MSR Action Plan), in particular through:
- Developing, and updating as necessary, the implementation plan of the MSR Action Plan;
- Preparing project proposals for raising necessary financial resources and technical partnerships;
- Organizing workshops/meetings/training activities to support the implementation of the Action Plan;
- Engaging partners and donors to support its implementation activities;
- Coordinating various implementation activities in liaise with relevant colleagues at the secretariat and external stakeholders, including relevant UN bodies and international organizations as well as scientific communities and contractors;

2.Coordinate the dissemination of the outputs and outcomes of the implementation of the MSR Action Plan, in particular through:
- Preparing meeting documents, reports and publications on the outputs and outcomes of the implementation of the MSR Action Plan;
- Liaising with the Communication Unit for the conceptualization of the communication materials on the key outputs and outcomes of the implementation of the Action Plan;
- Ensuring the dissemination of documents, reports, publications and relevant communication materials on the outputs and outcomes of the implementation of the MSR Action Plan;

3.Build linkages of the results of the MSR activities with other relevant activities of the Authority, in particular through:
- Articulating the policy implication of MSR activities undertaken in view of the ISA’s Strategic Plan and its High level Action Plan, in collaboration with relevant officers of the secretariat;
- Ensuring that MSR activities are being implemented in close alignment with other relevant activities of ISA, such as database management, regional environmental management planning, taxonomic standardization, and environmental/oceanographic/geological modeling , so that their outputs/outcomes can contribute directly or indirectly to the implementation of these relevant activities.


4.Facilitate the establishment of strategic alliances and partnerships that contribute to the promotion and encouragement of MSR in the Area within the context of ISA MSR Action Plan, in particular through:
- Collaborating with long-term deep ocean observing programmes/initiatives;
- Developing a collaborative platform for generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge and sharing of scientific expertise on deep-sea biodiversity, in collaboration with relevant UN/international organizations, including IOC/UNESCO, and relevant stakeholders.

5.Organize workshops/meetings/training activities to support the implementation of the Action Plan; coordinate inputs from relevant colleagues at the secretariat as well as external partners and stakeholders; and prepare and disseminate reports on the results of these activities

6. Perform other work related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the scientific areas of marine scientific research. Has knowledge of policies and practices in deep sea, as well as of the mandates of the Authority specifically of the environmental data. Has knowledge of major aspects of the work of analytical/forensic laboratories and of deep sea activities. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has very good presentation skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

• Judgement/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

• BuildingTrust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Oceanography, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Marine Environmental Sciences, or related field.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years' experience with oceanographic and marine biological/ecological research planning and implementation is required. Experience with collection, handling and interpretation of oceanographic data (physical, chemical, geological and biological) especially data describing the deep-sea ecosystems beyond national jurisdiction, is required.
Experience in developing inter-disciplinary marine scientific research programme/initiatives within the context of inter-governmental process together with a demonstrable track record of the involvement in marine management planning is desirable. Experience in area of project or programme management of scientific or marine policy development and implementation is desirable. Experience in developing, implementing and monitoring projects in the fields of marine sciences, at national and international levels is desirable. Knowledge and experience with theories, concepts and approaches relevant to deep sea oceanography and ecological sciences, particularly when located in areas beyond national jurisdictions, is desirable. Experience in intergovernmental processes is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Authority. For this position fluency in English, with proven drafting ability, is required. Working knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Candidates eligible for consideration must also be nationals of ISA Member States.

Consideration is given to achieving diverse gender, geographical and economic representation at the ISA, to the extent possible.

ISA reserves the right to not make any appointment to the vacancy, and/or to make an appointment at a lower level from the one advertised.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.