Posting Title: QUALITY ASSURANCE AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title: CHIEF OF UNIT, RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

Department/Office: International Seabed Authority

Duty Station: KINGSTON

Posting Period: 01 August 2023 – 14 September 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Audit-ISA-214668-R-Kingston (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThe principal role of the Compliance Assurance and Regulatory Management Unit (CARMU) is to administer and manage Contractors’ activities in the Area. The position of Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer is part of the CARMU at the International Seabed Authority (ISA). It is located at the Headquarters of the ISA in Kingston, Jamaica and reports directly to the Chief of CARMU. The incumbent is responsible for spearheading the Authority’s efforts in developing and implementing quality assurance and control mechanisms that will guide contractors’ activities and will be used by the ISA to assess the level of compliance through evidence-based monitoring.

Responsibilities

The position will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities: 1. Ensuring that appropriate standards and quality assurance frameworks are in place.

•  Leading and coordinating the development of quality assurance and control frameworks, including guidelines, deep seabed minerals development-specific management process standards (e.g. ISO 9001), risk management matrices and standards, standard operating procedures, and toolkits.
•  Implementing the quality assurance and control frameworks in collaboration with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and the Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources (OEMMR).
•  Ensuring that contractors integrate risk management standards into their planning and operations.
•  Ensuring that relevant stakeholders and experts are consulted and, if necessary, engaged in the development of quality assurance and control frameworks.
•  Providing relevant information, and sound and timely advice to the LTC and expert working group(s) established to oversee the development and implementation of quality assurance and control frameworks.
•  Assessing any evidence on quality assurance presented by applicants for exploration or exploitation contracts, and advice superiors as appropriate.
•  Ensuring that quality assurance and control frameworks are uploaded and available in the mining registry. 2. Leading the inspection and monitoring of contractor activities and ensuring compliance.
•  Leading and coordinating the inspection (i.e. planning, preparation, site visits, and reporting) and monitoring of exploration / exploitation activities, vessels and facilities in collaboration with the OEMMR.
•  Ensuring that inspection and monitoring activities are conducted in accordance with relevant regulations, standards, and SOPs, and ensuring compliance against contractors’ approved plans of work.
•  Coordinating the review of environmental monitoring statement (EIS) with OEMMR support.
•  Recommending appropriate enforcement actions to be taken, in consultation with OLA, when non-compliance or non-performance is proven to the Secretary General.
•  Preparing relevant documents for the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC).
•  Providing advice to ISA and Contractors on sound regulatory practice for compliance monitoring and performance improvement.
•  Identifying knowledge and training needs of the Secretariat for monitoring activities and organizing appropriate training and professional development initiatives. 3. Strengthening and maintaining engagement with Contractors and other Key-stakeholders.
•  Working closely with the Contractors to gain a comprehensive picture of quality assurance and control processes in all aspects of deep seabed minerals development.
•  Supporting the preparation and organisation of meetings and events related to the Contractors, and other partners and stakeholders.
•  Supporting EOSG, as and when required, in the training of Contractors and Sponsoring States on their respective roles and responsibilities.
•  Providing the necessary support for the review of contractors’ reports and plans of work and organizing and participating in partner / stakeholder meetings and events.
•  Communicating / liaising with Contractors on a regular basis and maintaining a cordial and professional relationship with them and other stakeholders. 4. Providing sound and timely planning, advisory and reporting at the Secretariat.
•  Preparing work plans and participating in organizational planning and strategizing.
•  Providing sound and timely technical advice to the Chief of CARMU and the Senior Management Group.
•  Preparing and disseminating good industry practices to stakeholders in collaboration with the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG).
•  Preparing official communications to be vetted by the EOSG and signed by the Secretary-General or his/her representatives.
•  Ensuring timely response to key stakeholders and logging of official communications, events, and incidences.
•  Performing other duties as directed by the Secretary General.

CompetenciesProfessionalism: Technically sound in the development and implementation of quality assurance and control frameworks; be able to solicit others’ ideas and expertise to complement task delivery. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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 two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals and work plans that are consistent with the ISA Strategic Plan 2019-2023; 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; works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Take proactive steps in addressing clients’ needs; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients. Managing Performance: This position does not manage any staff but is expected to provide feedback on the performance of his/her superior and peers; Provides advice to staff on his / her areas of expertise, risk-taking and creativity; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff.

Education

•  Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, environmental law, or related discipline. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies, with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
•  Relevant CQI, IRCA and/or ISO certifications preferred.

Work Experience

•  A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related areas is required.
•  More than five (5) years’ experience in quality assurance and compliance monitoring and/or in-house regulatory compliance roles in government, private sector (preferably in a marine environment setting) is required.
•  At least 5 years’ experience in operationalizing quality assurance standards and regulatory instruments and writing and reviewing quality assurance policies and SOPs is required
•  Experience interacting with senior government officials and representatives of development partners is required.
•  Experience setting up and maintaining performance monitoring and reporting systems is required.
•  Experience in report writing and preparation of high-level papers and briefings, as well as strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills are desired..
•  High level of awareness of health & safety and environmental management in any workplace is desired.
•  Ability to work cross-functionally, and cross-culturally with internal and external 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.