Scientific Officer (Marine Scientific Research)

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 143,096 USD and 184,492 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 (MSR 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 advice as well as scientific and technical inputs on the implementation of the ISA MSR Action Plan, in particular through: - Coordinating implementation activities in liaison with relevant colleagues at the secretariat and external stakeholders, including relevant UN bodies and international organizations as well as scientific communities and contractors; - Engaging partners and donors to support implementation activities; -Providing policy context for the implementation of the ISA MSR Action Plan and keeping it up to date in terms of policy linkages and relevant scientific information - Developing, and updating as necessary, the implementation plan of the MSR Action Plan; - Preparing project proposals for raising necessary financial resources and technical partnerships, in collaboration with relevant subject officers; - Organizing workshops/meetings/training activities to support the implementation of the MSR Action Plan, in collaboration with relevant subject officers;

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, in collaboration with relevant subject officers; - Liaising with the Communication Unit for the conceptualization of the communication materials on the key outputs and outcomes of the implementation of the MSR 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 , and technology advancement and innovation, 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: - Developing a collaborate platform to actively engage ISA contractors, member States and other stakeholders for technical and financial partnerships -Collaborating with relevant UN and international organizations and scientific institutions, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science, and others to engage strategic alliances and partnerships

5. Facilitate, in coordination with the Executive Office of Secretary General, the mobilization of financial resources to support the implementation of the ISA MSR Action Plan and other related activities

6. Perform other 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.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, vision and programs; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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.

Client orientation: Ability to communicate complex science issues in language easy to understand by non-science communities; Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from client’s point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies client’s needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the client’s environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects, Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

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 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 Environmental/Ecological/Biological/Geochemical Sciences, Marine Policy/Governance or related fields.A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years' experience with oceanographic and marine research planning and implementation is required.

Experience in developing inter-disciplinary marine scientific research programme/initiatives within the context of inter-governmental process is desirable. Experience in developing, implementing and monitoring projects in the fields of marine sciences, at national and international levels is desirable.

Experience in intergovernmental processes or international programmes relating to the conduct of, and sharing its results of, marine scientific research is required.

Excellent writing and presentation skills coupled with excellent policy analysis skills to translate the scientific outcomes to policy relevant messages is required.

Direct experience in interacting with members of the scientific community is highly 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.