Job: Head of IOC/UNESCO Perth Programme Office (PPO)

Location: Perth, Australia 
Deadline: Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Description

Title: Head of IOC/UNESCO Perth Programme Office (PPO)

Domain: Oceanography/Marine Science

Grade: P5

Organizational Unit: Secretariat of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

Primary Location: Perth, Australia

Type of contract: Project Appointment

Annual salary: 128,600 US$

Deadline (midnight, Paris time): 10 September 2013

Application to be sent to: Ms Ksenia Yvinec, k.yvinec@unesco.org

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary, the incumbent shall perform the following duties:

• Lead the Perth Programme Office (PPO) in line with the Agreement between IOC/UNESCO and Australia;
• Develop, facilitate and implement links and cooperative activities among IOC regional/international activities and relevant Western Australian State Government and Australian Commonwealth Government agencies, programmes and industry;
• Develop regional and global cooperative working partnerships with IOC stakeholders, including the regional research community and provincial and national oceanic and climate related agencies and organisations, in particular to provide support for applied research and operations;
• Facilitate and support the GOOS Regional Alliances and associated supporting secretariats and networks under the Office's purview (Indian Ocean GOOS, Pacific Islands GOOS and Western Australian GOOS), and facilitate and support related capacity building initiatives;
• Develop cooperation and partnership with regional ocean observing systems, policy networks, programmes and initiatives that are geographically and thematically complementary to the GOOS Regional Alliances under the Office's purview, as well as with relevant UNESCO and IOC entities, including UNESCO Regional offices, IOC Regional Subsidiary Bodies and Decentralised Project/Programme/Regional Offices;
• Develop and implement proposals to enhance the resource base in support of the Office's mission;
• Organise conferences, workshops and other capacity building and communication/awareness raising activities relevant to the overall mission of the Office;
• Supervise, organise and manage the work of staff of the PPO. Liaise with relevant staff of the Bureau of Meteorology, as host of the Office in line with the agreement. Prepare and manage the Office's strategic plans, annual work programmes and budgets, progress reporting and other reports on the Office's programmes as required under the Agreement. Develop and implement effective communications and capacity building strategies. Write and submit proposals to and manage associated grants from sponsors and donors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION ‚

• Advanced University Degree, preferably at PhD level in oceanography / marine sciences.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 10 years' experience in developing, facilitating, managing and coordinating large research work / projects in the field of oceanography / marine sciences.
• Experience at senior executive levels, working in the marine scientific community and with government representatives and related institutions and associated officials.
• At least five years of relevant experience at the international level, including experience within the United Nations System.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Good conceptual, research, analytical and technical skills including for strategies and related work plan preparation, associated performance reporting, fund raising and the ability to provide expert advice and capacity development support in ocean observations and services, ocean sciences, and natural resource management across policy, research and monitoring.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and associated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively across multi-cultural spheres, including communication of complex scientific and management information and issues to a broader audience and user community, including policy makers.
• Demonstrated experience in managing administrative and professional staff.
• Demonstrated capacity to work within and manage teams and establish effective working relationships with people across different multi-national and associated cultural backgrounds.
• Good IT skills. Ability to plan work with minimum direct supervision.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and to work under pressure.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge and written/oral skills in English.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and effectively, including‚ the ability to draft reports in a concise style and communicate complex scientific and management issues to a broader audience. Proven capacity in writing funding proposals and good record of achievements in this area. Abilities in the second working language of UNESCO (French) would be considered an asset.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS WORK EXPERIENCE

• Marine research and related experience in fundamental and operational oceanography and related climate science would be welcome.
• Familiarity with IOC's Ocean Observation System and its regional alliances

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Successful fund raising experience

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO's salaries are calculated in US dollars and exempt from income tax. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. More details on the ICSC Web site. Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.

More Info and Application