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Call for co-chair of the GOOS Expert Panel on Biology and Ecosystems

Deadline: 30 October 2024

The Global Ocean Observing System is a program of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), working to coordinate an integrated and responsive ocean observing system. The Expert Panel on Biology and Ecosystems (the BioEco Panel) provides scientific advice and expertise to GOOS on sustained ocean observations focused on establishing the current and future state of marine life. The work of the Panel in coordinating a robust, global observing system for ocean biology and ecosystems is centred around a set of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) that cover marine taxa and habitat groups, and are designed to inform policy and management. 

The Panel is governed by an Executive that oversees and guides the development and regular evaluation of the Panel’s work. The Panel Executive consists of two co-chairs and the International Project Officer, and works closely with the GOOS Executive, steering committee and other GOOS components to progress the objectives of the GOOS 2030 Strategy, including identifying funding options and opportunities that may support the Panel’s activities.

The Panel is seeking a new co-chair to help progress and contribute to GOOS 2030 Strategy and goals of the Panel roadmap.

Attributes of Panel co-chair: 

  • Advanced communication/presentation skills, including representation of GOOS to national and international science and science user audiences (e.g. policy, management, industry, etc).
     
  • Experience working at a “systems level” across taxonomic / habitat / ecosystem / geographic levels and scales. Given the complexity of marine biodiversity systems and challenges in identifying and monitoring suitable indicators of ocean system function and health at global scales, it is desirable that the co-chair can provide strategic input outside of their specific areas of interest.  
  • Track record in leading collaborative efforts at scale (ideally with experience in working internationally) and ability to supervise activities outside your own workplace.  
  • Understanding of the local/regional/international context for sustained observations and their role in supporting assessments of ocean health.
  • Commitment to building a sustained global observing system for ocean biological and ecosystem monitoring.  

Function of the Panel co-chair: 

  • Engage with the community to promote the Panel’s objective of supporting the development of an observing network around identified EOVs, including pilot studies, ocean observing system components, technologies designed to measure such EOVs, mechanisms for developing aligned methodologies, data standards and QA/QC procedures for biological data, and approaches for data sharing across the global community, in collaboration with the Ocean Biodiversity Information System of the IOC-UNESCO.  
  • Engage with stakeholders, including policy makers and end-users to promote the need for the observing system and the use of the data to inform management and contribute to international reporting commitments. 
  • Promote the use of the Framework for Ocean Observing as a basis for building the biological and ecosystem components of GOOS. 
  • With the GOOS Executive, explore funding opportunities to help advance the Panel’s work and support the Panel’s activities.

Time commitment 

The role of co-chair involves a commitment of approximately 20 working days a year. The co-chairs and Panel are supported by an International Project Officer. 

The Panel Executive meets regularly via teleconference (2-3 week intervals). The Panel itself meets quarterly – meetings are virtual with an annual in-person meeting when feasible.

The Panel co-chair is an ex-officio member of the GOOS Steering Committee, which meets via a combination of virtual and in-person meetings. The Panel co-chair is also a member of the GOOS Executive Committee, which meets virtually 2-3 times per year and, where practical uses major conferences to meet in-person. 

The Panel co-chair serves a two-year term that may be renewed up to three times consecutively to a maximum of six years. 

This is a voluntary position and institutional support from the co-chair’s organisation(s) is expected to perform the work required and support some travel

Apply for the position

Applications are due no later than 30 October 2024 and must be submitted to goosbioeco@gmail.com

Applications must include the following: 

  • Full name 
  • Affiliation and current position 
  • Full contact information (incl. email and website)
  • Brief description (300 words max.) of your experience in ocean observing, your experience with GOOS, the contribution you will provide in order to advance the GOOS 2030 Strategic Goals and the BioEco Panel’s roadmap
  • CV including membership in national and international networks, programs, expert working groups and relevant publications
  • A letter of support from your organisation.

Applications that do not address the above will not be considered.

For all inquiries, please email goosbioeco@gmail.com. Further information on GOOS can be found at https://goosocean.org/
The Panel’s Terms of Reference can be found at: https://goosocean.org/document/20988  
Further information on the GOOS expert panel on biology and ecosystems can be found at https://goosocean.org/who-we-are/expert-panels/biology-and-ecosystems-bioeco/.

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