Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources (OSER) 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 UNCLOS. ISA is mandated to organize and control activities in the Area, including through the development and implementation of rules, regulations, and procedures to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment. The Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources is responsible for supporting ISA’s mandate on environmental stewardship, including the development and implementation of science-based environmental management measures, advancement of marine scientific research, and promotion of cooperation with relevant international and regional frameworks. The Programme Management Officer (Marine Environment) supports the implementation of OSER’s programme of work related to marine environmental protection and the sustainable management of activities in the Area. The incumbent provides technical and policy inputs, coordinates assigned programmes and projects, facilitates scientific and stakeholder engagement activities, and supports the science-policy interface required to inform evidence-based environmental management. The position contributes to ISA’s engagement with relevant international processes and partnerships, including those related to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and supports the preparation of technical, analytical, and policy outputs to advance the effective implementation of ISA’s environmental mandate.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Director, OSER, and the direct supervision of the Programme Manager (Marine Environment), the Programme Management Officer (Marine Environment) will perform the following duties: 1. Provide technical and policy inputs to the development, implementation, and strategic planning of ISA activities related to the protection of the marine environment and effective environmental management of activities in the Area; 2. Coordinate and organize expert workshops, stakeholder consultations, and other technical activities supporting the development, implementation, and review of regional environmental management plans (REMPs), environmental thresholds, and other environmental management measures in the Area; 3. Develop, coordinate, and implement assigned scientific projects and initiatives addressing priority knowledge needs for effective environmental management of activities in the Area, including coordination with relevant scientific partners and institutions; 4. Provide technical and policy inputs to ISA’s engagement with relevant regional and global instruments, frameworks, and policy processes related to marine environmental protection, including the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement); 5. Prepare policy documents, analytical reports, briefing notes, and knowledge products relating to global and regional ocean governance discussions and processes, and identify opportunities for collaboration on marine environmental protection and scientific research in the Area; 6. Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including Member States, scientific institutions, international organizations, research networks, and other relevant partners, to support marine environmental protection and the advancement of scientific knowledge; 7. Provide substantive support to the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) as its Vice-Secretary, including preparation of technical documentation, coordination of inputs, and follow-up on scientific and environmental matters arising from Commission deliberations; 8. Facilitate collaboration with ISA contractors on environmental studies, monitoring programmes, scientific research activities, and environmental management initiatives in the Area; 9. Draft and contribute to the preparation of official documents, reports, publications, technical papers, and other knowledge products related to marine environmental protection and scientific research in the Area; 10. Perform other related duties as required by the Secretary General.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates knowledge of inter-governmental negotiations and legal instruments related to ocean governance, as well as international processes relating to the development and implementation of environmental management activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction; demonstrates ability to analyze international environmental, political and economic and social developments and provide technical and substantive support in the field of environmental policy development; demonstrates ability to develop and manage programmes that require coordinated and integrated responses, broad stakeholder engagement, and mobilization of resources and partners; 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. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Demonstrates knowledge of strategic planning and organization of activities in support of inter-governmental processes related to environmental management and global ocean governance; 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. 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in marine sciences; marine policies, environmental management, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience related to global ocean governance, environmental management policies, and science-policy interface is required. Experience in working with international organizations related to sustainable management of marine resources is required. Experience in development and implementation of scientific projects, including partnership-building and resource mobilization is required. Experience in supporting discussions of scientific and technical organs of regional and international organizations or bodies is desirable. Experience in collaborating with governmental bodies, scientific institutions, and experts across various disciplines is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult
https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|
| English | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III |
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.
