Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

OVERVIEW

Position Number: IOC 001

Grade: ADG

Parent Sector: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

Duty Station: Paris

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): 06/09/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) is the United Nations body responsible for international cooperation and coordination of programmes in marine sciences, observations, ocean services and capacity development. IOC enables Member States to improve ocean understanding and management, contributing to sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda (especially SDG 14), disaster risk reduction, climate action and resilience. IOC leads the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 – 2030) and works across multiple thematic areas including global ocean observing systems, tsunami early warning and ocean literacy.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the general authority of the UNESCO Director-General and in accordance with the status of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) as a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO, the incumbent will implement the decisions of the IOC Assembly and its Executive Council as regards the organization of all aspects of the Commission’s work, including the convening of sessions and meetings of the IOC governing and subsidiary bodies, in accordance with the IOC Statutes and Rules of Procedure and the decisions of the UNESCO General Conference, and will report accordingly.

Long Description

The core aspect of the job is to promote, coordinate and implement the programmes of IOC, as approved by the IOC Assembly and presented subsequently to the UNESCO General Conference, including fundraising and related financial management, while engaging the ocean science community and appropriate Member State agencies and departments.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will coordinate and promote collaboration with international organizations concerned with the work of the Commission, and especially with those organizations of the United Nations system that are willing and prepared to contribute to the purposes and functions of the Commission and/or to seek advice and cooperation in the field of ocean and coastal area scientific research, related services and capacity-building (quote from Statutes, Article 2 para. 2). A particular aspect of the job is to ensure proper links between IOC programmes and the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goal 14, UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and its Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action Framework (SAMOA) Pathway, and to coordinate/cooperate as required with UNESCO programme, undertaking mutually-agreed intersectoral activities within the mandate of the Commission.

Long Description

The incumbent will ensure that IOC responds, as a competent intergovernmental organization, to the requirements deriving from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international instruments relevant to marine scientific research, related services and capacity development.

Long Description

The incumbent will direct the work of the staff of the IOC Secretariat; and represent, or arrange appropriate representation of IOC, at meetings of other organizations and bodies, whose work is of interest to IOC, as well as participate in such inter-secretariat bodies that may be concerned wholly or in part with the work of IOC.

Long Description

For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult our website: https://www.unesco.org/en, and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029), 43 C/5 (UNESCO’s Draft Programme and Budget for 2026–2029 quadrennium) and IOC's Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree in ocean sciences or a field related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Extensive professional experience in senior executive positions in one or more fields covered by IOC programmes, including substantial assignments at the regional and/or international levels.
• Several years of exposure to the requirements of international cooperation and proven familiarity with the work and activities of the United Nations system organizations and other international organizations in the field of ocean sciences.

Long Description

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated ability to direct processes of change at senior management level with large institutions of national or international scope.
• Knowledge of trends, demands and challenges in ocean sciences and management, including in developing countries.
• Proven leadership and managerial skills, ability to provide leadership, vision and strategic direction needed to ensure that the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission is able to carry out its mandate and achieve its objectives, ability to focus the energies and talents of the Commission’s employees and motivate them to work as a team to achieve the IOC’s objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to identify, analyse, define and communicate priorities and strategies, ability to develop effective working relationships with the IOC Officers and Member States, UNESCO Permanent Delegations, UNESCO senior management, IOC’s key stakeholders and partners, and to act as the IOC’s spokesperson in dealing with governments, media, other organizations, stakeholders and partners.
• Ability to conduct high-level negotiations at the international level.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the Organization's working languages (English or French).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in ocean sciences or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Good knowledge of the United Nations system.

Long Description

LANGUAGES

• Working knowledge of the second language (English or French).
• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is US$ 245 679.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.