QUALITY ASSURANCE AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is based in the CARMU Unit of the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG) of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston, Jamaica. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS shall, in accordance with the regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established in Part XI and the 1994 Agreement, organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area. The principal role of the Compliance Assurance and Regulatory Management Unit (CARMU) is to administer and manage Contractors' activities in the Area. The incumbent is responsible for spearheading the Authority's efforts in developing and implementing quality assurance and control processes and mechanisms in contractors' activities and assessing that contract obligations are fulfilled. ResponsibilitiesUnder the overall guidance of the Director, Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources (OEMMR) and the direct supervision of the Chief of CARMU and within delegated authority, the Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Ensuring that appropriate standards and quality assurance frameworks are in place. • Leading and coordinating the development of quality assurance and control frameworks for ISA, including guidelines, deep seabed minerals development-specific management process standards, standard operating procedures, and toolkits. • Implementing the quality assurance and control frameworks in collaboration with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and the Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources (OEMMR). • Assessing that contractors integrate risk management standards into their planning and operations. Ensuring that relevant stakeholders and experts are consulted and, if necessary, engaged in the development of quality assurance and control frameworks. • Providing relevant information, and sound and timely advice to the LTC and expert working group(s) established to oversee the development and implementation of quality assurance and control frameworks. • Assessing any evidence on quality assurance presented by applicants for exploration or exploitation contracts, and advice superiors as appropriate. • Ensuring that quality assurance and control frameworks are uploaded and available in ISA information systems. 2. Leading the inspection and monitoring of contractor activities and ensuring compliance. • Leading and coordinating the inspection (i.e. planning, preparation, site visits, and reporting) and monitoring of exploration / exploitation activities, vessels and facilities in collaboration with the OEMMR. • Ensuring that inspection and monitoring activities are conducted in accordance with relevant regulations, standards, and SOPs, and ensuring compliance against contractors' approved plans of work. • Coordinating the review of environmental monitoring statement (EIS) with OEMMR support. • Recommending appropriate enforcement actions to be taken, in consultation with OLA, when non-compliance or non-performance is proven to the Secretary General. • Preparing relevant documents for the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC). Providing advice to ISA and Contractors on sound regulatory practice for compliance monitoring and performance improvement. 3. Strengthening and maintaining engagement with Contractors and other Key-stakeholders. • Working closely with the Contractors to gain a comprehensive picture of quality assurance and control processes in all aspects of deep seabed minerals development. • Jointly coordinating the evaluation and finalization of contractors' 5-year periodic review reports with the Contract Management Officer. • Supporting the preparation and organisation of meetings and events related to the Contractors, and other partners and stakeholders. • Providing the necessary support for the review of contractors' reports and plans of work and organising and participating in partner / stakeholder meetings and events. • Communicating / liaising with Contractors on a regular basis and maintaining a cordial and professional relationship with them and other stakeholders. 4. Providing sound and timely planning, advisory and reporting at the Secretariat. • Preparing work plans and participating in organisational planning and strategising. • Providing sound and timely technical advice to the Chief of CARMU, Director of OEMMR and the Senior Management Group. • Preparing and disseminating good industry practices to stakeholders in collaboration with the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG). • Preparing official communications to be vetted by the EOSG and signed by the Secretary- General or her representatives. • Ensuring timely response to key stakeholders and logging of official communications, events, and incidences. • Performing other duties as directed by the Secretary-General. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Technically sound in the development and implementation of quality assurance and control frameworks; be able to solicit others’ ideas and expertise to complement task delivery. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Take proactive steps in addressing clients’ needs; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision- making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, environmental law, or related area is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies, with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Relevant CQI, IRCA and/or ISO certifications is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation, and maintenance of compliance, quality assurance and/or risk management systems or related areas is required. At least five (5) years' experience in compliance monitoring and/or reporting systems (preferably in marine affairs) is required. Experience in report writing and preparation of high-level papers and briefings, as well as strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills are required. At least five (5) years' responsible experience operationalising quality assurance standards and regulatory instruments and writing and reviewing quality assurance policies and SOPs is desirable. Solid experience in the mineral industry, mining activities (preferably in a marine environment setting) or marine oil & gas industries is desirable. A high level of awareness of health & safety and environmental management in the workplace is is desirable. Experience coordinating cross-functional, and cross-cultural internal and external stakeholders is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the International Seabed Authority. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the International Seabed Authority/United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • Only candidates from ISA Member States are eligible for consideration. • The International Seabed Authority/United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the International Seabed Authority/United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.