Science Professional Officer

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is an intergovernmental organization that advances and shares scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and the services they provide and employs the resulting knowledge to generate state-of-the-art advice on meeting conservation, management and sustainability goals. ICES international network comprises ca. 6,000 scientists from over 800 marine institutes in 20-member countries and beyond.

The contributions of the Science Professional Officer will span our departments (advice, data and science) and will help strengthen technical and scientific input to ICES scientific advice, including the development of new products. The Professional Officer will be competent in research administration and project management and understand inter-disciplinary approaches to marine research, as well as underlying data needs. The selected candidate will play a critical role in shaping ICES science priorities, supporting management advice, and working with every level of the ICES community, including a diverse international network of scientists, industry and non-governmental representatives, and decision makers.

Main Responsibilities

• Collaborate with ICES leadership to support ICES Science Plan goal to deliver marine ecosystem science for the 2020s and beyond
• Provide guidance to ICES expert groups: strategic direction of groups, focus and content of group reports, group evaluation, etc.
• Coordinate activities and collaborate with ICES Science Committee and Steering Group Chairs to provide strategic direction for the six non-fisheries Steering Groups.
• Advance the inclusion of new science in ICES advice:
  • collaborate with ICES Secretariat Ecosystem team, ACOM and SCICOM leadership, to advance advice for ecosystem-based management (EBM);
  • expand the inclusion of Human Dimensions in ICES work and ICES Ecosystem Overviews
• Engage in / lead scientific projects aligned to ICES Science Plan
• Identify science highlights of ICES expert groups
• Expand the inclusion of indigenous knowledge in ICES activities where relevant
• Provide science support to ICES Strategic Initiatives for Early Career Scientists, Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and Graduate Education
• Act as ICES Secretariat focal point for the advancement of the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy to EBM science and advice
• Represent ICES in planning, organising and participating in scientific symposia. Participate in scientific steering committees, administer budgets, engage in panel discussions, convene sessions, and present ICES work

Qualifications and Experience

We seek a Science Professional Officer who is motivated, organised, collaborative and flexible.  Further requirements for this position are:

• A higher university degree, preferably a PhD, or equivalent experience, in marine science, environmental sustainability, economics, social science, mathematics/statistics or similar qualifications
• At least five years’ professional experience, from relevant marine science research and/or international organizations
• Experience in dialogue and cooperation with marine stakeholders including policy makers, managers, advisory councils, and experts
• Ability to work independently, taking leadership roles in decision making within teams
• Strong teamwork skills: good communication; active listener; and team-player
• Management expertise
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement
• Knowledge of the main international maritime, environmental, fisheries and ecosystem related policies
• Experience of projects and working with international and/or interdisciplinary consortia
• Background in interdisciplinary science, working effectively with multidisciplinary teams comprised of people from diverse national and cultural backgrounds is an advantage

Terms of Appointment

The appointment will be full-time (38 hours per week, including lunch breaks), for a four-year contract period starting in January 2025, or as soon as possible.  The salary will be at the “P2” grade, which is based on the United Nations common salary system. 

ICES Secretariat staff enjoy privileges and immunities pursuant to the Host Agreement between the Government of Denmark and ICES. The salaries of ICES staff are exempt from Danish income tax and are based on, but not identical to, UN salary grade scales.  Benefits similar to those paid by the UN organization are also available for eligible staff members (e.g. installation/repatriation, dependents’ education, and home leave allowances). Furthermore, you will be enrolled in a tax-free pension scheme to which both the employee and ICES contribute. The ICES Staff Rules set out the conditions of employment and the responsibilities of Secretariat staff.

ICES encourages a positive workplace culture by striving for inclusivity and diversity appointment of its staff. This includes family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and standards of conduct. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people from ICES Member States which are underrepresented in ICES Secretariat, and people with disabilities.  

Applications

If you feel you have the personal and professional qualities and potential we are looking for, please submit your application (CV and cover letter) via the APPLY NOW link below. 

Deadline for application submission is 23:59 29 September 2024. Interviews are expected to take place in the second week of October.

Questions about the Professional Officer position can be directed to Jo Foden, Head of the Science Department.

For more information about us, please visit our ICES website.