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7.3.2013
PROFESSIONAL SECRETARY VACANCY - MONAS, HABITAT AND GEAR GROUPS
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: POST OF PROFESSIONAL SECRETARY AT THE SECRETARIAT OF THE HELSINKI COMMISSION
Applications are invited for the post of Professional Secretary for the HELCOM MONAS, HABITAT and GEAR Groups at the Helsinki Commission Secretariat. The post, which is based in Helsinki, Finland at the Commission’s Secretariat, will become vacant on 1 January 2014.
The Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organization (Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden) working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.
HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is the main programme of HELCOM to reach a good environmental status of the Baltic Sea by 2021.
The Monitoring and Assessment Group (HELCOM MONAS) assesses trends in threats to the marine environment, their impacts, the resulting state of the marine environment, and the effectiveness of adopted measures, as well as ensures that HELCOM’s monitoring programmes are updated and well- coordinated.
The Nature Protection and Biodiversity Group (HELCOM HABITAT) compiles information on the ecosystems and habitats in and around the Baltic Sea. HELCOM HABITAT works to ensure that suitable information on habitats, species and the conservation of biodiversity is available for all HELCOM’s main groups, to help them implement the ecosystem-based management approach and extend the principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) to cover the whole Baltic Sea.
The Group for Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (HELCOM GEAR) initiates and strengthens actions to implement the Baltic Sea Action Plan. The ecosystem approach is about using scientific knowledge as the basis of protection and the sustainable use of the marine environment as well as prioritizing and applying management actions. The GEAR group relies on strong, regional coordination and steers HELCOM’s efforts to restore the Good Environmental Status of the sea. The Group complements HELCOM’s scientific-technical activities.
Responsibilities
The Professional Secretary is responsible for:
the management and facilitation of the work of the HELCOM MONAS, HABITAT and GEAR Groups as well as projects related to these;
the compilation, analysis, assessment and presentation of information related to monitoring, environmental indicators and assessment as well as nature conservation, and drawing of appropriate conclusions;
relating monitoring, assessment and nature conservation issues to the overall priorities and other areas in the work of the Helsinki Commission;
linking, especially on technical and scientific level, the implementation of activities of the Helsinki Commission related to the above mentioned fields to other international frameworks and marine environment protection policies to address these; and
other tasks entrusted to him/her by the Executive Secretary.
The common requirements and duties for the Professional Secretaries as well as the post description of the vacancy are attached.
Qualifications and experience
The person to be appointed shall have:
knowledge from the work carried out in HELCOM and sound understanding of the role of HELCOM;
high social competence and ability to build both internal and external networks;
the ability to work both as a positive team member and individually;
an advanced university degree in environmental science or other related field and a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience on national level, including in the fields of monitoring, assessment and nature conservation;
professional experience from international policy-making is an asset;
proven organizational and administrative skills.
As the Commission's work is done in English, a thorough knowledge of the language and the ability to draft quickly and concisely in English are essential, as is computer literacy.
Terms of appointment:
The salary, which is non-incremental, is related to P-4 in the UN Salary Scales for Professional and Higher Categories. In addition, certain allowances may be payable depending on personal circumstances.
The initial appointment is for three years, the first six months of which shall be a probationary period, with the possibility of a prolongation for another period not exceeding three years (3+3 years, maximum 6 consecutive years altogether).
The selected candidate is expected to take up his/her duties 1 January 2014.
Applications:
Shortlisting and call for interviews will take place in the end of May/beginning of June 2013.
Applications consisting of a cover letter with motivation and the completed application form should be sent, preferably by e-mail, to Administrative Officer Satu Raisamo (satu.raisamo@helcom.fi) on 20 May 2013 at the latest. Applications received after that date will not be taken into consideration.
Application form (pdf fill-in)
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COMMON REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SECRETARIES
OF THE HELSINKI COMMISSION
The professional secretaries shall assist the Executive Secretary in performing functions conferred on the Executive Secretary, inter alia, by paragraph 5 of Article 21 of the 1992 Helsinki Convention and additionally by the 1992 Baltic Environment Declaration.
The Secretaries shall, under the direction of the Executive Secretary, inter alia,
1. Make necessary arrangements for the meetings of the subsidiary bodies, and their sub-groups, inter alia:
a) prepare invitations, provisional agendas, secretariat documents and reports pertaining to such meetings;
b) present matters for consideration at such meetings;
c) act as Secretaries at such meetings; and
d) communicate documents relating to such meetings,
in so far as responsibility for this work or part of it is not assumed, by special arrangement, by a Contracting Party to the Helsinki Convention, or an observer of the Commission.
2. In addition the Secretaries shall, as directed by the Executive Secretary:
a) respond to requests from Governments, international organizations, NGOs, institutions and individuals;
b) represent HELCOM at meetings related to HELCOM's field of responsibility; and
c) undertake such other tasks as may be assigned to her/him in the field of her/his competence.
3. The Secretaries shall compile, analyze and assess information related to their area of competence and draw the appropriate conclusions.
4. The Secretariat of HELCOM is understood as a team and each Secretary shall, under the supervision of the Executive Secretary, closely cooperate with the other Secretaries and the Administrative Officer as well as take due account of the work carried out within the subsidiary bodies of HELCOM.
POST DESCRIPTION FOR A PROFESSIONAL SECRETARY
OF THE HELSINKI COMMISSION
The Professional Secretary will be responsible for the overall co-ordination, implementation and further development of matters related to environmental monitoring and assessment, nature conservation and coastal zone management, and managerial aspects of the process to reach a good environmental status of the Baltic Sea. She/He will specifically undertake the tasks connected with monitoring and assessment, nature conservation and coastal zone management, and linking, on technical and scientific level, the implementation of activities in the mentioned fields under HELCOM and other international frameworks.
To this end the Professional Secretary shall under the direction of the Executive Secretary, inter alia:
a) provide service and technical support inter-sessionally and to the meetings of the Monitoring and Assessment Group (HELCOM MONAS) , the Nature Protection and Biodiversity Group (HELCOM HABITAT) and the Group for the Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (HELCOM GEAR).
b) provide guidance and supervision of the daily implementation of the activities under her/his responsibility. This includes overseeing ongoing contracts and projects with institutions/consultants, answering mails etc.
c) provide support to enhancement and development of the HELCOM databases on monitoring and assessment connected with the COMBINE programme as well as with nature conservation and coastal zone management
d) provide advice and guidance on directions and approaches to take regarding activities within the area of coastal and marine planning and management.
e) assist in the strengthening of communication and management capabilities regarding conservation and protection of Baltic Sea Protected Areas, endangered species and biotopes.
f) follow up the implementation of HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and HELCOM Recommendations connected with monitoring and assessment and nature conservation and coastal zone management and, as appropriate, promote their harmonization with EU Directives and other international regulations
g) identify and co-ordinate emerging issues within her/his field of responsibility.
Qualifications: Advanced university degree in Environmental science or corresponding education. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience at the national level. Professional experience at international level is an asset. Computer literacy is essential.
Language Requirements: Excellent knowledge of English