Director, Un Ocean Decade Coordination Job at UNESCO (Paris)

Job Description

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) is the leading body within the United Nations for ocean science, including 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.

Job Responsibility

Act as Director of the Decade Coordination Unit, overseeing the development and implementation of the Ocean Decade, goals and objectives, including a result-based approach, and translate the vision of the Ocean Decade into an ecosystem of Decade Actions and coordination structures that are delivering effective knowledge to inform policy and decision making to and beyond 2030
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
Guide 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 (e.g. UN General Assembly) as well as identifying opportunities to continuously strengthen the engagement of UN entities in the Decade
Elevate 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
Enhance cooperation, and communication between stakeholders, including the private sector, as well as the development of partnerships aimed at fast-tracking the generation and application of ocean knowledge and update at policy/society level, ensuring wherever relevant optimal contributions of IOC programmes
Develop and implement innovative approaches and tools to strengthen the uptake of science and knowledge generated through the Decade to inform policy and decision making and coordinate their replication and scaling more broadly across IOC
Work across IOC programmes and regional sub-commissions to leverage the impact of the Decade to strengthen IOC's core programmatic work, the role of IOC within the UN system and the role of the regional sub-commissions as the leading regional ocean science coordination bodies
Lead the work of IOC related to SOPM including coordination and tracking of the implementation of the IOC-wide strategy on SOPM
Consult with Member States, including in SIDS and LDCs, on priority needs in SOPM and develop and lead implementation of initiatives to provide technical support and capacity development
Provide support to regional sub-commissions to effectively implement SOPM activities with Member States taking into account specific needs of SIDS and LDCs
Liaise with UN and external partners working on SOPM to identify synergies and develop collaborations and partnerships
Lead outreach efforts to enhance the role of IOC as a leader of SOPM approaches within the UN system and with external partners
Guide the implementation of the Decade SOP programme
Provide strategic guidance and supervision to the heads of the regional IOC Secretariats
Facilitate regular exchange and collaboration between heads of regional IOC secretariats, Heads of Section and other senior staff
Monitor the effectiveness and impact of regional programmes
Support and promote the participation of IOC Sub-commissions' Secretariats in the development and implementation of extra-budgetary projects
Steer the priority setting and work-planning of the IOC Sub-Commissions
Ensure the meaningful contribution of the IOC Sub-Commissions to the effective outcomes of the Ocean Decade
Identify focus areas for collaborative work between Member States
Monitor technical advancements in ocean management and science-based applications, and identify marine policy requirements
In line with the IOC Results Framework, propose priorities for and coordinate the development of IOC decision support input to Member States and multilateral processes
Recommend programme and project approaches, plans, expansions, and changes
and develop and propose policy-relevant activities
Act as focal point within IOC for ocean related activities within UNESCO sectors, and lead reporting to UNESCO Governing Bodies on relevant issues
Represent IOC in high level internal and external meetings and conferences
Participate in senior management mechanisms established within IOC and other structures of UNESCO
Lead efforts to engage in interdisciplinary work within IOC and with UNESCO sectors

Requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the field of Ocean sciences, Marine Sciences or a field related to the IOC programme
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively 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
Proven track record of successfully establishing and maintaining partnerships at a global, local and community level
Proven capacity to connect with leading institutions 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
Strong and proven record of innovative applied research
Knowledge of, and commitment to, UNESCO’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 plans, 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
Excellent knowledge and drafting skills of one of the working languages (English or French) of the Organization

Nice to have

Professional experience in the United Nations System and/or in the field of international multilateral setting organizations
Working knowledge of the Organization’s second language (English or French)
Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, or Russian)

What we offer

30 days annual leave
family allowance
medical insurance
pension plan

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