Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is based in the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) 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.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Director/Legal Counsel and within delegated authority, the Knowledge Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Knowledge Management Services 1.Develops and facilitates the implementation of an information and knowledge management plan and procedures, in collaboration with relevant staff, in accordance with ISA’ Strategic Plan and High-Level Action Plan, in particular through: a. Constructing knowledge tools among different work units of the secretariat, including through knowledge audits; b. Identifying and mapping knowledge gaps and internal and external needs for enhanced findability of ISA related knowledge as well as efficient and effective internal dissemination of knowledge c. Developing specific approaches and tools to address these needs, as part of the secretariat’s information and knowledge management plan; d. Developing necessary knowledge management and guidance procedures. 2. Identifies and publicizes relevant knowledge networks and collaboration platforms. 3. Supports the promotion of knowledge-sharing and an organizational learning culture within the Secretariat. 4. Prepares and coordinates implementation of policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines for managing the internal electronic records and work outputs. 5. Oversees inventories of Library’s electronic records and the management of records transfer, retention and disposition schedules. 6. Manages the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval and disposition of electronic and physical library materials and other information resources, including facilitation of staff online access to peer-reviewed journals. 7.Responds to requests for documents and library resources and advises on their accessibility. 8.Oversees the development and maintenance of internal electronic reference tools and databases, including through the Library. 9. Maintains and develops the Satya N. Nandan Library as a primary resource for information on deep seabed mining and the international law of the sea. 10. Coordinates the creation, organization, management and preservation of digital and audio archival records in line with the ISA / UN requirements and standards and facilitates their accessibility for internal and external use including audio records of meetings in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the organs of the Authority. 11.Manages, in close cooperation with the Conference and Documentation Officer, the archival services and the preservation of the Authority’s historical documents, including appraisal, maintenance and storage. 12.Organizes and manages the digitization of documents and records of over 26 years of history of the Authority, the Prepcom and UNCLOS III. 13.Keeps the terminology, taxonomies, ontologies, indexing and other classification systems and structures up to date. 14. Manages collaboration with the ITLOS and UN Libraries. 15.Prepares result-based work plans and budgets for the library and the archive, including knowledge management activities. 16. Supervises the Library/Administrative Assistant. 17. Performs other duties as requested. Content Management Activities 1. In collaboration with relevant staff members, devises and maintains a system for the classification and management of content of the internal digital/hardcopy information systems and platforms based on United Nations (UN) and internationally recognized standards. 2. Develops and maintains common formats and metadata schemes for the internal (including through Library’s) online information services to standardize the capture, storage, search and retrieval of content. 3. Designs and manages the secretariat (including through library) knowledge architecture, taxonomy and metadata schemes and digital file sharing systems to improve consistency in the content organization with a view to facilitating harmonized and integrated content management, findability, and easy access. 4. Provides training and guidance to Secretariat staff, States Parties, and other stakeholders to enable them to share knowledge and to access and retrieve information effectively through the library-related systems. 5. Prepares reports on library and knowledge management activities. 6. Performs other duties as requested.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Coordinates the knowledge and information management systems and services at the the Authority to support mandate implementation. 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. • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits inputs by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions many not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in knowledge management, information studies, library science, records management or related area, preferably with a specialization in environmental information management, is required. A first level university degree combined with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in CKS (Certified Knowledge Specialist) or RIM (Records and Information Management) is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressive relevant responsible working experience in knowledge management, information management, modern library management, digital records management and related field is required. Experience with the management of metadata, taxonomies, thesauri, and other classification schemes is desirable. Experience with developing content management standards, procedures and guidelines is desirable. Experience with management of digital libraries is desirable. Experience in archives management, including digital records preservation is desirable. Experience in web-based collaborative platforms is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Authority. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of two (2) years subject to availability of funding and satisfactory performance in the role. At the International Seabed Authority, 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 International Seabed Authority is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The International Seabed Authority recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The International Seabed Authority 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. ISA reserves the right to not make any appointment to the vacancy, and/or to make an appointment at a lower level from the one advertised. Only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible for consideration.

United Nations Considerations

According 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 Fee

THE 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.