The Office of Resources and Environment Monitoring (OREM) is responsible for providing
scientific and technical advice to the organs of the Authority (principally the Council and the
Legal and Technical Commission) and for implementing the scientific and technical programmes
of the Authority. These programmes include organizing workshops and seminars on scientific
and technical matters, developing and maintaining databases, monitoring the activities of
exploration contractors with the Authority and promoting and encouraging marine scientific
research in the International Seabed Area.
The Head of OREM is responsible for providing strategic direction and leading and managing the
staff of OREM. Specific duties include:
(a) management of the Authority’s Central Data Repository of seabed mineral and
environmental data;
(b) organization of workshops and seminars on scientific and technical aspects of
the Authority’s work and publication of reports and proceedings;
(c) cooordinate and direct the scientific and technical work programme of the
Authority;
(d) represent the Authority, as necessary, at international conferences, workshops
and seminars;
(e) manage the activities of the ISA Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific
Research;
(f) promote the scientific and technical activities of the Authority and encourage
international marine scientific research in the international seabed Area;(g) as a member of the senior management team of the Secretariat, contribute to
the development of the work programme and budget;
(h) assist in the provision of secretariat services to the relevant organs of the
Authority, in particular the Legal and Technical Commission and the Council;
(i) monitor the implementation by contractors with the Authority of their plans of
work, particularly with respect to collection of environmental baseline data and
the development of environmental impact statements.
Competencies:
Professionalism: Expert knowledge of techniques for data and information management in
support of environmental and economic assessments and decision making. Broad knowledge of
environment and development issues and ability to develop and direct development of new
approaches and technologies. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues;
ability to review and edit the work of others and to implement and supervise programme
activities.
Demonstrated ability to provide advice in a broad range of strategic, policy, management and
administrative issues to senior management; lead integrated processes; and, ensure the timely
delivery of a programme of work. Track record of team building, problem solving and
continuous organizational improvement for effective programme delivery.
Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; conscientious and
efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
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 having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to
match the audience; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people
informed.
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
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.
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to
translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives;
establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and
gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to
take unpopular stands; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender
perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Judgement/ Decision-making: identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes tothe heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision;
considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions
with an eye to the impact on others and on the Authority; proposes a course of action or
makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against
facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs
for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education: Advanced university degree (Doctorate or equivalent) in one or more of the
following: oceanography, environmental science, natural resource management, technological
development, mining, resource economics or related field. A first level university degree with a
relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the
advanced university degree.
Work Experience: Minimum of 15 years of working experience, including at least seven years at
the international level in one or more of the following areas: environmental monitoring, data
and information management, technological development, mining, geographic information
systems and spatial data image processing, environmental change analysis, assessment and
reporting, including related capacity building and networking. Experience in results based
management and a proven track record of resource mobilization is desirable. In addition,
progressive responsibility for the management of programmes/projects and supervision of staff
in a multicultural setting, including co-ordination of interdisciplinary teams, is required.
Language: For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge
of the second ISA working language, French, is an asset, as well as knowledge of another ISA
official language.
Applications should be forwarded by the deadline date to the attention of the Human Resources
Officer, International Seabed Authority by email to postmaster@isa.org.jm or faxed to : +1-876-
922-0195.
