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ORGANISATIONAL SETTING & REPORTING
This position is with the Office of Environmental Monitoring and Mineral Resources (OEMMR)
of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) located in Kingston, Jamaica reporting to the Programme Manager (Marine Environment) and under the overall supervision of the Director of OEMMR.
A key challenge for ISA is to adopt a policy and regulatory framework for environmental management that achieves the effective protection of the marine environment, under circumstances of considerable scientific, technical and commercial uncertainty.
The primary responsibilities of the incumbent will be to support the development and review by the Authority of Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs) by providing analyses of environmental data and to support the Authority’s increasing need for data handling, interpretation and evaluation of pre-processed information, as provided in activity reports by contractors and for the purposes of environmental impact assessment.
The candidate will face challenges in the implementation and constant gap analyses of data from human activities in the Area.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Within delegated authority,
the incumbent will:
- Be responsible for managing and advising on a wide range of projects on environmental impact assessments;
- Environmental data handling and interpretation, to provide recommendations to marine environmental challenges coming from activities in the Area;
- Perform scientific evaluations of historical data and new data acquisition to support the work of the Authority, and its Organs.
- Contribute to related ISA publications and proceedings of workshops and seminars and represent ISA at relevant conferences, workshops and seminars;
- In collaboration with the Database Unit and Contract Management Unit, assist in coordinating the collection and dissemination of environmental baseline data and resource assessment data by contractors and organize and analyze such data;
- Perform sound scientific evaluations of historical data with new acquisitions to provide guidance for the sustainable exploration and exploitation of marine mineral resources;
- Review and evaluate environmental impact assessments submitted by contractors pursuant to ISA regulations;
- Liaise closely with the Communications Unit to advocate, educate and disseminate acquired data and information to key stakeholders and the general public;
- Support the work of the Legal and Technical Commission in performing assessments of the environmental implications of activities in the Area;
- Publish data in a user-friendly format following ISA’s communication guidelines and write high quality reports on marine environmental information;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism:
Knowledge of marine policy and environmental planning; Ability to apply technical expertise to analyzing a diverse range of issues and problems; ability to develop innovative and creative solutions; Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matters. 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. Demonstrates ability to work in team.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
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.
Teamwork: Work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicit input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; place team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; share credit for team accomplishments and accept joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Oceanography, Statistics 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 five (5) years’ experience with oceanographic data collection, interpretation and statistical analyses (knowledge of numeric and explicit statistics/models) is required.
- Experience in a research or regulatory background together with a demonstrable track record in marine policy and planning is desirable.
- Experience in area of project or programme management of environmental, scientific, economic work or policy development and implementation is desirable.
- Experience in developing, implementing and monitoring projects in the fields of marine or environmental sciences, at national and international levels is desirable.
- Experience with collection, handling and interpretation of oceanographic data (physical, chemical, geological and biological) especially data describing the deep sea beyond national jurisdiction, is required.
- Knowledge and experience with theories, concepts and approaches relevant to Area Based Management Tools (ABMT) particularly when located in areas beyond national jurisdictions, is 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 the ISA website;
- 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.
- ISA Press Release “ISA Registers Seven Voluntary Commitments to Support the Implementation of SDG14 at the 2017 Ocean Conference“