Chief of Section (Tsunami Resilience)

The Chief of Section leads and coordinates the IOC Tsunami Programme, including the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS). The role involves defining priorities, managing programmes, capacity development, representation, resource mobilization, and staff management to enhance global tsunami early warning and readiness systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate and organize the activities of the IOC Tsunami Programme.
• Coordinate the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) programme and liaise with relevant national and international sea level centers and the international Tsunami sea level monitoring network.
• Define Section priorities and translate these into programmatic and thematic strategies, activities and relevant policy development.
• Maintain and pursue partnerships with organisations and engage resources to enhance programmes.
• Provide guidance to ensure development, implementation and coordination of services and scientific and secretariat support for the four Intergovernmental Groups (ICGs).
• Monitor implementation of work plans and related extra-budgetary projects and advise on their status and development.
• Determine C/5 items and prepare reports, memoranda, policies, guidelines, technical products, and other substantive documents.
• Compile strategic plans and other documents necessary for implementation of work plans.
• Liaise with relevant regional subsidiary bodies of the IOC on tsunami- and sea-level-related matters.
• Review relevant literature and identify emergency issues.
• Organise delivery of capacity development in tsunami warning systems and preparedness.
• Coordinate contribution of working groups to develop guidelines and standards and facilitate knowledge transfer through training, manuals and guidelines.
• Support and coordinate efforts to reinforce capacity in Member States in establishing Tsunami Warning Systems.
• Ensure coordination with relevant partners within and outside the UN contributing to tsunami early warning systems.
• Represent the Section to internal and external networks and influence policy development.
• Seek and explore opportunities for resource mobilization and supervise funding processes including proposal development and progress reporting.
• Supervise and motivate staff, monitor progress and development, manage budget and administrative tasks.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in earth or ocean sciences, or related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in management and coordination of research and/or project work in the field of marine sciences, of which preferably 5 years acquired at international level.
• Solid experience with tsunami warning and/or coastal hazard early warning systems.
• Experience working with the scientific community and government representatives and officials.
• Proven experience in managing staff and teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven ability to prepare high quality documents and reports.
• Good understanding of the work and general functioning of international organization and/or knowledge of the United Nations System.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and to work under pressure.
• Excellent knowledge of English.

Skills

• Tsunami Warning Systems
• Coastal Hazard Early Warning
• Marine Sciences Research
• Project Management
• International Programme Coordination
• Staff Management
• Team Leadership
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Capacity Development
• Resource Mobilization
• Scientific Community Collaboration
• Government Relations
• Report Writing
• Multicultural Team Leadership
• Conflict Resolution
• UN System Knowledge
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication

Languages

English