UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Junior Professional Officer Programme (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2025-2-39

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. General Information

Title:   JPO – UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Sector of Assignment:  Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

Organizational Unit: Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section

Country and Duty Station: Headquarter Paris, France

Duration of assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university degree (usually bachelor’s degree).

2. Duties and Responsibilities

Direct supervision by: Programme Specialist at Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section, IOC/UNESCO.

The JPO would work as a core member of the Ocean Decade Coordination Unit to:

1. coordinate implementation of the detailed recommendations of the outcomes of the Ocean Decade Vision 2030 process with a focus on initiatives at the national level through support to and coordination of existing and emerging National Decade Committees;
2. liaise closely with decentralized coordination structures of the Ocean Decade and Decade Actions to support identification of policy and societal entry points for science and knowledge generated through the Ocean Decade and coordinate and establish the emergence of new decentralized coordination structures to fill critical knowledge and geographical gaps;
3. support the Decade Coordination Unit to establish and implement regular consultation processes with policy makers in Member States and other user groups to identify priorities to ensure the relevance and utility of science and knowledge generated by existing and future Decade Actions and create links to stakeholders including UN conventions and frameworks;
4. support work with Indigenous peoples and local communities to develop and operationalize an action framework to ensure inclusivity of all knowledge systems in the Ocean Decade;
5. develop resources including policy briefs, capacity development initiatives and communications products to amplify and share the work accomplished with and by National Decade Committees and decentralized coordination structures;
6. support engagement and involvement of National Decade Committees and decentralized coordination structures in international and regional events (including the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference and associated preparatory process) to showcase success stories and achievements in working across the science – policy – society interface; and
7. any other relevant task as agreed with the supervisor.

 

 3. Required Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in marine science, ocean governance, law or related field.

Work experience:

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of ocean science and/or governance is preferred, with at least one year of international experience.
• Good knowledge of the UN System.

Competencies and skills: Ex.

• Good organizational skills and demonstrated project management experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in the development of initiatives and coordination of stakeholders in the generation and uptake of science and knowledge to inform policy and decision making.
• Experience in supporting organization of major events and demonstrated understanding of the UN system, UNESCO and the Ocean Decade.
• Good understanding of challenges facing Member States, including under-represented stakeholders, in addressing science – policy linkages.
• Agility and flexibility; ability to meet tight deadlines and manage changing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of a second official United Nations language, preferably French or Spanish, is an advantage.

4. Learning Elements

• Enhance your understanding of the science-policy interface related to ocean issues at both regional and international levels.
• Deepen expertise in working with Indigenous peoples and local communities, contributing to the development of frameworks that ensure the inclusion of diverse knowledge systems in Ocean Decade actions.
• Gain exposure to the workings of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and contribute to a UN-wide global initiative on ocean science.
• Gain experience in liaising with policy makers and user groups to identify societal entry points for integrating Ocean Decade science into policy and decision-making processes.
• Understand the dynamics of international environmental policy, and learn how to contribute to shaping the relevance and impact of the Ocean Decade through inclusive, science-based governance

5. Background Information

The United Nations has proclaimed the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. As mandated by the UN General Assembly, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is leading coordination of the Ocean Decade in line with the framework documented in the Implementation Plan. The Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section (IOC/MPR) plays a crucial role in connecting ocean science to policy. With the aim of fostering multi-agency partnerships related to ocean and coastal matters, IOC/MPR works to promote the science-policy interface and develop and disseminate tools for effective coastal and marine management. The Decade Coordination Unit for the Ocean Decade sits within IOC/MPR.

As the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development enters the second half of its implementation there is a need for an increased and systematic focus on the communication and transmission across the science-policy-society interface of the significant amount of science and knowledge that is being generated. This focus is in keeping with the priorities and recommendations emerging from the Vision 2030 ambition setting process that were discussed at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference and that are documented in The Barcelona Statement and the recently launched report ‘Ambition, Action and Impact: The Ocean Decade Pathway to 2030’.

Bitte senden Sie Ihre JPO-Bewerbung direkt an das Büro Führungskräfte zu Internationalen Organisationen (BFIO) unter Angabe der Chiffre Nr. 2025-2-39 auf dem Bewerbungsbogen

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