Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is based in the Office of Contract Management and Capacity-Building (OCMC) of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica. ISA is an international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the UNCLOS. The ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS shall, in accordance with the regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established in Part XI and the 1994 Agreement, organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area. The position has a matrix reporting to the Chief of Compliance Assurance and Regulatory Management Unit (CARMU) as first reporting officer and Director of Office of Contract Management and Capacity-building (OCMC) as second reporting officer. The incumbent will exercise quality assurance, compliance assurance and process-oversight functions, and play a pivotal role in ensuring that operations, processes, and contractual obligations adhere to established standards, regulatory frameworks, and best practices. The incumbent will contribute to strengthening quality and compliance assurance mechanisms, improving risk management, and promoting transparency and accountability.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director, Office of Contract Management and Capacity-Building, the direct supervision of the Chief, Compliance Assurance and Regulatory Management Unit and within delegated authority, the Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Quality assurance, compliance assurance and process framework • Develop and coordinate the review of appropriate quality assurance, compliance assurance and process-integrity frameworks in collaboration with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and the Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources (OSER), in particular the relevant guidelines, deep seabed minerals development-specific management process standards, risk management matrices and standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and toolkits, including, but not limited, to: • Ensure the consistent implementation and application of approved quality assurance and compliance assurance frameworks and standards. • Ensure that contractors integrate risk management standards and approaches into their planning and operations. • Ensure that relevant stakeholders and experts are consulted and, as appropriate, in the development and periodic review of quality assurance and compliance assurance frameworks. • Provide relevant information and sound, timely advisory inputs to the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) and expert working group(s) established to support the development and implementation of the quality assurance and compliance assurance frameworks. • Assess evidence on quality assurance and compliance assurance presented by applicants for exploration or exploitation contracts, and advise superiors in consultation with OLA, as appropriate. • Develop and periodically update the process and SOPs relating to the quality assurance and compliance assurance by the contractors with their contractual obligations, including audit readiness, compliance review and inspection-support process relating to the activities of the contractors. 2. Compliance monitoring and contractual performance oversight • Coordinate the monitoring of exploration / exploitation activities, vessels and facilities in collaboration with the OSER, to ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, SOPs, and approved plans of work for exploration or exploitation. • Participate in the preliminary evaluation of contractors' annual reports, review of five-year periodic reports, applications for approval of plans of work, and applications for extension, and provide compliance-related input to the LTC and the secretariat processes, including contract preparation following approval of the plan of work. • Identify and assess risks of non-compliance or non-performance by contractors and recommend appropriate follow-up actions, in consultation with OLA, including requests for additional information and organization of meetings between the contractors and the LTC. • Coordinate or support audit, review and inspection-related processes, in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, procedures and Council-approved mechanisms. • Prepare guidance documents relating to activities of the contractors to support compliance with their respective contractual obligations. • Prepare compliance-related documents for consideration by the LTC, the Council or other organs of the Authority. 3. Engagement with Contractors and Stakeholders • Maintain regular professional engagement with contractors to develop a comprehensive understanding of quality assurance, compliance and control processes across all stages of deep seabed minerals activities. • Support the preparation and organization of meetings and events involving contractors, sponsoring States and other stakeholders, including the contractors’ annual meetings and the Secretary-General’s dialogues with the contractors and the sponsoring States. • Provide guidance, as required, for contractors and sponsoring States concerning their respective roles and responsibilities. • Liaise regularly with contractors and stakeholders, ensuring professional, transparent and consistent communication. • Prepare and review draft press responses and media enquiries relating to contractors’ activities and performance, in coordination with relevant offices and the Communications Unit. 4. Seabed Mining Register (SMR) – Governance and Compliance Dimension • Drive CARMU’s contribution, in collaboration with OSER and relevant technical units, to the development and management of the Seabed Mining Register (SMR). • Establish and apply robust data governance and compliance standards to ensure accurate and timely recording of activities in Area, and guarantee data integrity and stakeholder accessibility. • Facilitate effective coordination between CARMU, OSER, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment on SMR requirements, updates, and best practices. • Oversee and coordinate, in collaboration with relevant technical units, the development of dashboards and reporting tools to support monitoring of compliance status. • Support continuous improvements of the SMR, including interoperability with other systems, development of user guidance and post-implementation reviews. • Propose and document workflows to ensure the SMR is regularly and properly maintained and updated. 5. Secretariat Planning, Advisory and Reporting Functions • Prepare work plans and contribute to organizational planning relating to the contractors’ compliance and performance oversight. • Prepare and disseminate good practice guidance to stakeholders, in collaboration with the OSER and OLA. • Draft official correspondence and notes for signature by the Secretary-General or designated representatives. • Ensure timely responses to key stakeholders and maintain records of official communications, events and compliance-related incidents. • Participate in the relevant workshops and conference relating to activities in the Area. • Perform other duties as required by the Secretary-General.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. Strong knowledge of the international law of the sea, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and related international agreements. Familiarity with current legal and political developments in the international law of the sea. Familiarity with current issues relating to critical minerals policy. Demonstrated understanding of due process, procedural fairness, evidence handling, confidentiality and institutional accountability in regulatory and compliance contexts. 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. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with the ISA mission and goals; 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; works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in resource management, engineering, quality assurance and compliance, and/or law, or related area is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies, with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Certification in Project management e.g. (PMP-RMP, PRINCE2) is desirable. Certification in CQI, IRCA and/or ISO is desirable.

Work Experience

• More than seven (7) years' experience in quality assurance and compliance assurance monitoring and/or in-house regulatory compliance roles in international organizations, national governments, private sector (preferably in a marine science, mining and metals, or environment setting) is required. • At least 5 years' experience in developing and implementing quality assurance standards, SOPs, and regulatory instruments and writing and reviewing quality assurance policies is required • Experience interacting with senior government officials and representatives of development partners is required • Experience in report writing and preparation of high-level analytical papers is desirable. • Experience in establishing and maintaining performance-monitoring and reporting systems is desirable. • Experience supporting or coordinating regulatory compliance assurance, audit preparedness or inspection-related processes within an international or governmental framework is desirable. • Ability to work cross-functionally, and cross-culturally is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The appointment is available for a fixed period of 2 years, and renewal thereof is subject to the availability of the post, funds and satisfactory performance in the role. 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. At the ISA/ United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The ISA/United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The ISA/United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The ISA/United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible for consideration.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.