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ORGANISATIONAL SETTING & REPORTING
Under the supervision of the Secretary-General, the Director of the Office of Environment Management and Mineral Resources (OEMMR), is responsible for all scientific and technical matters pertaining to the ISA mandate.
The post is located in the Headquarters of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) located in Kingston, Jamaica.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will:
- Provide scientific and technical advice to all organs of ISA, principally to the Secretariat, Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) and the Council.
- Coordinate and direct the scientific and technical work programme of ISA through:
- Organisation of workshops and seminars on scientific and technical aspects of ISA’s work;
- Issuance of publications and proceedings of workshops and seminars;
- Representation of ISA at international conferences, workshops and seminars.
- Promote and encourage international marine scientific research and collaborations among stakeholders in deep sea mining.
- Build alliances and coalitions with key partners (UN agencies, governments, regional and national institutions and bodies, foundations, NGOs, and the private sector) to enlist their support and involvement in ISA activities.
- Monitor activities related to deep sea mining and promote the development of state of the art technologies and best environmental practices for prospecting, exploration and exploitation (including processing) of deep sea minerals.
- Raise ISA profile by participating in strategic media relations and targeted public information/outreach activities.
- Undertake resource mobilisation, both financial and in-kind, from members of the Authority, key international organisations and partners including foundations and the private sector.
- Supervise the collection of environmental baseline data and resource assessment data by contractors, and organize and analyze such data.
- Process and evaluate environmental impact assessments relating to activities in the Area (seabed and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction).
- Oversee and lead the design, development and implementation of databases of environmental, geological and economic information.
- As a member of the senior management team, contribute to the development of the overall work programme and budget.
- Ensure the smooth functioning of OEMMR, overseeing assigned staff and their performance; prepare and monitor the budget for the office including extra-budgetary contributions.
- Performs other duties as requested
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Knowledge of inter-governmental and inter-agency negotiations and networking functions; Ability to analyze environmental, political and economic and social developments and provide technical and substantive support in the field of environmental policy development. 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.
Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.
Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement, does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands; Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Building Trust: 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 confidences 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 Marine Sciences, Mining Engineering / Mineral Economics and Resource Administration, International Relations, Economics, Environmental Studies, Management or related field.
A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in areas of political affairs, management of environmental, scientific, economic work, or policy development. International experience in a multi-cultural setting is required. 5 years at the international levels and 3 years in a supervisory capacity is required. Experience in resource mobilization, and partnerships building, including at the highest level of Government, with foundations and businesses, is highly desirable
LANGUAGES
English and French are the working languages of ISA. Fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is highly desirable.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
Candidates may undergo a substantive and a competency-based interview. Candidates may also be required to undertake a written test prior to the interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
SPECIAL NOTICE
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
OTHER INFORMATION
- The selected candidate will be subject to a reference verification process in accordance with the ISA policy. The process will include but is not limited to, verification of the information provided in the personal history form and a criminal record check. All candidates should be in a position to submit electronic copy of their passport and all diplomas listed on their profile when requested;
- Applicants may check the status of vacancies on ISA web-site;
- Only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible for consideration;
- Consideration is given to achieving diverse gender, geographical and economic representation at the ISA, to the extent possible;
- The 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.
