Programme Specialist (IODE/OBIS)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 1BEIOC0003RP

Grade: P-3

Parent Sector: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

Duty Station: Ostend, Belgium

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 02/04/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the overall authority of the Executive Secretary of IOC, direct supervision from the Head of Section and/or Head of the IOC Project Office for the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE), the incumbent is responsible for the technical and scientific coordination, implementation and maintenance of the IOC data and information exchange system, particularly the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) and support to related activities.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The incumbent works within the framework of UNESCO’s Medium Term Strategy (C/4), the approved programme and budget (C/5), the IOC Medium-term strategy (and any subsequent strategies) and other relevant frameworks. The incumbent will work in close consultation with the OBIS Programme Specialist who leads the OBIS work plan implementation. The post is based at the IOC Project Office for IODE, Ostend.

The incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Long Description

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Programme Coordination and Management:

• In close collaboration with the Head of Section and/or Head of the IOC Project Office the OBIS programme specialist and the wider team at the IOC, establish technical programme goals, plan of activities, budget proposals, and performance measures - in accordance with technical guidance from the IOC, IODE Committee and