Posting Title: INTERIM DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE ENTERPRISE, P5
Job Code Title: EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Department/Office: International Seabed Authority
Duty Station: KINGSTON
Posting Period: 01 August 2023 – 10 September 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Administration-ISA-214661-R-Kingston (R)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingEstablished by Article 170 and Annex IV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Enterprise is the organ of the Authority which is to carry out activities in the Area directly, as well as the transporting, processing, and marketing of minerals recovered from the Area. While the Enterprise is to act in accordance with the general policies of the Assembly and the directives of the Council, it is autonomous in the conduct of its operations, which will be directed by a Governing Board composed of 15 members elected by the Assembly of the Authority. Ultimately, the Enterprise will also have a Director General, elected by the Assembly on the recommendation of the Council and the nomination of the Governing Board. The Director General will also be Enterprise’s Chief Executive Officer and legal representative. In the interim, the Secretariat of the Authority shall perform the functions of the Enterprise until it begins to operate independently of the Secretariat. Between 2020 and 2023, these functions were performed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Enterprise. The Assembly of the Authority has now decided to establish the position of Interim Director-General of the Enterprise within the Secretariat to carry out these functions. This position is in Kingston, Jamaica in the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority. The incumbent will report, for administrative purposes, to the Secretary-General, but will be accountable to the Council and the Assembly.
Responsibilities
Within the limits of delegated authority, the Interim Director-General of the Enterprise will be responsible for the following: a. Monitoring and reviewing trends and developments relating to deep seabed mining activities, including regular analysis of world metal market conditions and metal prices, trends, and prospects. b. Assessment of the results of the conduct of marine scientific research with respect to activities in the Area, with particular emphasis on research related to the environmental impact of activities in the Area. c. Assessment of available data relating to prospecting and exploration, in particular evaluation of information and data relating to areas reserved for the Authority. d. Assessment of technological developments relevant to activities in the Area, in particular technology relating to the protection and preservation of the marine environment. e. Assessment of approaches to joint-venture operations with the Enterprise. f. Collection of information on the availability of trained manpower for the Enterprise. g. Study of managerial policy options for the administration of the Enterprise at different stages of its operations. h. Represent the interests of the Enterprise in negotiations in the Council on the draft regulations on exploitation in the Area and associated standards and guidelines. i. Ensure coherence and synergies between the work of the Enterprise and the Decisions and Regulations agreed upon by the ISA governing bodies. j. Support the development of projects in cooperation with developing states for improving scientific understanding of the Area. k. Preparation of draft rules, regulations and procedures for the administration and management of the Enterprise once it begins to function independently of the Secretariat of the Authority. l. Represent the Enterprise in international meetings, conferences and proceedings as may be required. m. Manage the office of the Interim Director-General of the Enterprise. n. Other duties as required.
CompetenciesProfessionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision- making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.
EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following fields: public international law, including excellent knowledge of the law of the sea and the law of international organizations, natural resource economics, business administration or in a related area. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work ExperienceMinimum 10 years combined relevant experience is required A minimum of two years of professional experience in a senior managerial and advisory position in a government ministry or department or of an international organization is desired The ability to work with high-level stakeholders is desired
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the International Seabed Authority. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
