Director, UN Ocean Decade Coordination

News About Turkey - NAT
13 Min Read
  • Contract
  • Paris

UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization


OVERVIEW

Post Number : IOC 002

Grade : D-1

Parent Sector : Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31-OCT-2024

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary IOC (Assistant Director-General of UNESCO – ADG/IOC), the incumbent is responsible for the direct supervision of the Decade Coordination Unit (DCU), providing strategic and operational leadership to the implementation of the Ocean Decade. He/she will guide the implementation of regional programmes implemented through IOC Sub-Commissions, in collaboration with IOC Sections, to strengthen synergies and improve the efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of the overall IOC programme and budget. This includes leading and overseeing the implementation of activities and projects; assessing performance and guiding horizontal workflows; developing coordinated and cross-cutting strategies in response to the evolving ocean policy landscape, approaches and frameworks; implementing and managing change; directing the mobilization of extra-budgetary resources and establishing key partnerships including with the private sector, civil society and other UN agencies. The incumbent will foster intersectoral cooperation within UNESCO and promote delivery of intersectoral initiatives related to the ocean as it follows:

 

Decade coordination

Acting as Director of the UN Decade Coordination Unit, overseeing the development and implementation of the Ocean Decade, goals and objectives, including a result-based approach, in translating the vision of the Ocean Decade into an ecosystem of Decade actions and coordination structures that are delivering effectively by:

  • Advising and engaging Member States in the implementation of the Decade, including through the provision of intergovernmental and strategic oversight, the establishment of national coordination mechanisms, and participation in Decade Programmes, and regular review of the Decade strategic ambitions as defined through the Vision 2030 process.
  • Guiding the tracking of progress of the Decade through effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism and facilitate reporting to IOC and UNESCO Governing Bodies, as well as to other relevant UN entities (eg UN General Assembly).
  • Elevating the IOC Decade coordination function and steer authoritatively the implementation of the Decade in collaboration with relevant UN entities through mechanisms such as UN-Oceans.
  • Enhancing cooperation, and communication between stakeholders, including the private sector, as well as the development of partnerships aimed at fast-tracking the generation of ocean knowledge and update at policy/society level, ensuring wherever relevant optimal contributions of IOC programmes.

 

Regions and programmatic design

  • Coordinate the involvement of regions in the overall IOC programmatic design (IOC Medium Term Strategy and Programme and Budget) and delivery in synergy with global programmes, ensuring programmatic coherence while also addressing local priorities and thus ensuring ownership of all Member States and stakeholders.
  • Monitor the implementation of regional programmes, and coordinate reporting from IOC Sub-commissions to IOC governing bodies; and promote the participation of IOC Sub-commissions’ Secretariats in the development and implementation of extra-budgetary projects.
  • Steer the collaboration of the IOC Sub-Commissions towards enhanced science/policy relevance and delivery towards relevant regional ocean policy/management frameworks.

Policy development and Strategic issues

  • Provide strategic input regarding ocean policy development and coordinate the contribution of IOC to relevant UN inter-agency processes such as UN-Oceans, the World Ocean Assessment, the SG report on Ocean, UN-ICP and generally ensure higher level of visibility of IOC‘s work at the UN;
  • Identify focus areas for collaborative work between Member States aligned with the overall IOC Medium Term Strategy and its contribution to the global ocean agenda (Agenda 2030 /UNOC, Sendai Framework, UNFCCC, CBD Global Biodiversity Framework and UNCLOS/BBNJ) and in support of science-based approaches to the sustainable ocean economy.
  • Recommend programme and project approaches, plans, expansions, and changes; and develop and propose policy-relevant activities, to be approved by IOC governing bodies. Coordinate the development of IOC Policy Briefs as part of the overall IOC Communication strategy.
  • Remain aware of technical advancements in ocean management and science-based applications, track marine policy requirements, particularly those emerging from UN frameworks. Establish, maintain, strengthen and expand research and policy partnerships with a high-level network of partners, including with academia, intergovernmental organizations, government bodies, the private sector, media leaders, civil society organizations, academia, UNESCO Chairs, Category 2 Centres, Decade Collaborative Centres and other relevant bodies.
  • Guide the development of the work of IOC related to Sustainable Ocean Planning (SOP), guiding the implementation of the Decade SOP programme, facilitating the establishment of institutional partnerships and ensuring strong member states buy-in the design and delivery of SOP resources at national level.
  • Act as focal point within IOC for the development of UNESCO inter-sectoral activities on ocean, promote collaboration with other sectors and lead reporting to UNESCO Governing Bodies.

 

Resource mobilisation 

  • Develop a resource mobilization framework and identify and create opportunities, for resource mobilization, and actively raise voluntary contributions from multilateral and bilateral donors.
  • Guide and propose partnerships with Member States, the private sector and civil society organizations, amongst others, and build alliances to enhance and support IOC and the Decade work and activities to achieve results and impact, giving guidance to staff members, encouraging and advising Member States on taking specific actions to support IOC activities.

 

Assume other duties as requested such as:

  • Representing UNESCO in high level internal and external meetings and conferences.
  • Participating in senior management mechanisms established within IOC and other structures of UNESCO.
  • Leading the efforts to engage in interdisciplinary work within IOC and with other UNESCO sectors.

For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult UNESCO’s website: ‎https://www.unesco.org/en, and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy, 2022–2029) and 41 C/5 ‎‎(UNESCO’s Programme and Budget for 2022–2025).‎
 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
Building partnerships (M)
Driving and managing change (M)
Leading and empowering others (M)
Making quality decisions (M)
Managing performance (M)
Strategic thinking (M)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

  • Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the field of Ocean Sciences, Marine Sciences or other related fields. 

 

Work Experience

  • A minimum of 15 years of progressive relevant professional experience, with a focus on Marine Sciences or related fields, including at least five years at the international level. 
  • Strong experience of trends, demands and challenges in ocean sciences and management, including in developing countries. 
  • A proven track record of successfully establishing and maintaining partnerships at a global, local and community level.
  • A proven capacity to connect with leading intuitions related to Marine Sciences, and a strong knowledge of state-of-the-art research in the field of Ocean strategies.
  • Demonstrated experience in advocacy and resource mobilization.
  • A strong and proven record of innovative applied research.

 

Skills and Competencies

  • Commitment to the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic direction, and priorities
  • Capacity for institutional leadership, a high sense of objectivity and professional integrity, diplomacy, tact and political astuteness
  • Capacity to provide intellectual leadership to guide staff, and an ability to build trust, manage, lead and motivate a large and diverse body of staff in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, and to oversee ongoing training and staff development
  • Ability to identify key strategic issues and opportunities, and associated risks.
  • Demonstrated strategic planning and excellent management abilities, including a capacity to administer multiple programmes and projects, financial and human resources, while exercising appropriate supervision and controls
  • Excellent organizational skills, including the capacity to establish plan and priorities, and to implement them effectively
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage relationships at all levels
  • Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing; and demonstrated ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners.

 

Languages

  • Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

  • Professional experience in the United Nations System and/or in the field of international multilateral setting organisations.

 

Languages

  • Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

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 173 983 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

Footer

UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization. 

Apply
***Show some love and please mention newsaboutturkey.com* in your application***
***We also feel loved when you share it***

Share This Article
Founded by a small group of Turkish/Kurdish scholars who have been subjected to persecution at the hands of the Erdogan dictatorship, News About Turkey (NAT) has emerged as a platform that is both exceptional and invaluable. Our objective is to provide you with a comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of the events and developments in Turkey (Türkiye), a country with profound historical and geopolitical importance, a vibrant culture, and a strategic location. Our founders, who have been purged by the Erdogan regime after the so-called coup attempt, are aware of the significance of journalism that is both free and independent. Because of this understanding, we are committed to providing reporting and analysis that is both objective and comprehensive. To give you the most thorough coverage of Turkey, we go further than just scratching the surface. Keep in touch with us so that you can have a better understanding of Turkey's developing story as well as vital and comprehensive news items. Whether you are a resident of Turkey, a member of the Turkish/Kurdish diaspora, or simply someone who has a strong interest in this vital country, we are the most reliable source for news that not only informs but also inspires and engages you.