Programme Specialist (IOC Data and Information Exchange)

The Programme Specialist is responsible for managing and leading the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) programme within the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The role involves strategic planning, partner engagement, data management leadership, and supporting Member States in marine data exchange and interoperability.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, operations, partner engagement, negotiation and delivery of the IOC data architecture and associated IODE data and information systems.
• Coordinate and evolve FAIR data management delivery for IODE with Committee members, other IOC sections, the Global Ocean Observing System, the WMO and other relevant UN entities and stakeholders.
• Strengthen the data management capacity of IOC Member States by establishing, developing, and maintaining effective outreach materials and relationships with National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs), Associate Data Units (ADUs), and other relevant institutions.
• Manage the subsection’s budget, personnel, and project tracking and execution to ensure smooth delivery of activities supporting IOC and IODE mandates and strategies.
• Draft and oversee extra-budgetary project proposals and implement approved projects technically and scientifically.
• Manage IODE committee meetings and relevant expert and steering groups, and report on workplans and progress to IOC governing body meetings.
• Support internal and external communications to inform IOC Member States and stimulate national actions, increasing visibility, resources and partnerships.
• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities to keep IOC data systems agile, scalable, interoperable, and responsive.
• Provide support and advice on data standards, management and delivery of data exchange to the Head of Section and wider IOC.
• Represent the Executive Secretary and Head of Section as Head of the Project Office at Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee (VLIZ) and manage day-to-day operations at the IODE office.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in data science, information management, computer science, environmental science, oceanography, marine science geosciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in marine sciences or a related field, of which preferably three (3) years of experience acquired at the international level.
• Experience managing international programmes or projects related to data interoperability, ocean observing and/or data policy development, including stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in fundraising and resource mobilization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, feasibility, opportunities and risks.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into priorities and actions.
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and maintain partnerships and collaborations, and to coordinate, negotiate and deal with partners and networks.
• Awareness of politics, emerging needs, trends and conflicting agendas and ways to address and integrate elements of multiple agendas into relevant projects, programmes and actions.
• Ability to manage a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.
• Ability to take initiative and to manage competing deadlines within a tight timeframe, with capacity for accuracy, paying close attention to detail and quality of work.
• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English.
• Advanced University degree (PhD) in data science, information management, computer science, environmental science, oceanography, marine science geosciences, or a related field, and/or equivalent professional experience (desirable).
• Experience working within the United Nations system or an international organization (desirable).
• Experience with coordinating large-scale or distributed data infrastructures (desirable).
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset (desirable).

Skills

• Data Science
• Information Management
• Computer Science
• Environmental Sciences
• Oceanography
• Marine Sciences
• Geosciences
• International Programme Management
• Project Management
• Data Interoperability
• Ocean Observing
• Data Policy Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Fundraising
• Resource Mobilization
• Strategic Planning
• Partnership Development
• Collaboration Coordination
• Negotiation
• Team Management
• Multicultural Team Leadership
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Data Infrastructure Coordination

Languages

English