Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (ADG)

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) is the United Nations body responsible for international cooperation and coordination of programmes in marine sciences, observations, ocean services and capacity development. IOC enables Member States to improve ocean understanding and management, contributing to sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda (especially SDG 14), disaster risk reduction, climate action and resilience. IOC leads the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 – 2030) and works across multiple thematic areas including global ocean observing systems, tsunami early warning and ocean literacy.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will coordinate and promote collaboration with international organizations concerned with the work of the Commission, and especially with those organizations of the United Nations system that are willing and prepared to contribute to the purposes and functions of the Commission and/or to seek advice and cooperation in the field of ocean and coastal area scientific research, related services and capacity‑building (quote from Statutes, Article 2 para. 2). A particular aspect of the job is to ensure proper links between IOC programmes and the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goal 14, UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and its Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action Framework (SAMOA) Pathway, and to coordinate/cooperate as required with UNESCO programme, undertaking mutually‑agreed intersectoral activities within the mandate of the Commission.

The incumbent will ensure that IOC responds, as a competent intergovernmental organization, to the requirements deriving from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international instruments relevant to marine scientific research, related services and capacity development.

The incumbent will direct the work of the staff of the IOC Secretariat; and represent, or arrange appropriate representation of IOC, at meetings of other organizations and bodies, whose work is of interest to IOC, as well as participate in such inter‑secretariat bodies that may be concerned wholly or in part with the work of IOC.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree in ocean sciences or a field related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Extensive professional experience in senior executive positions in one or more fields covered by IOC programmes, including substantial assignments at the regional and/or international levels.
• Several years of exposure to the requirements of international cooperation and proven familiarity with the work and activities of the United Nations system organisations and other international organisations in the field of ocean sciences.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated ability to direct processes of change at senior management level with large institutions of national or international scope.
• Knowledge of trends, demands and challenges in ocean sciences and management, including in developing countries.
• Proven leadership and managerial skills, ability to provide leadership, vision and strategic direction needed to ensure that the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission is able to carry out its mandate and achieve its objectives, ability to focus the energies and talents of the Commission’s employees and motivate them to work as a team to achieve the IOC’s objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to identify, analyse, define and communicate priorities and strategies, ability to develop effective working relationships with the IOC Officers and Member States, UNESCO Permanent Delegations, UNESCO senior management, IOC’s key stakeholders and partners, and to act as the IOC’s spokesperson in dealing with governments, media, other organisations, stakeholders and partners.
• Ability to conduct high‑level negotiations at the international level.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the Organisation’s working languages (English or French).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is US$ 245 679.

For full details visit unesco.org/careers