Deadline: 14 February 2025, 18:00 CET

GOOS is seeking applications for the position of Vice Chair Standards and Best Practices for its Observation Coordination Group (OCG). The role of the OCG Vice Chair Standards and Best Practices is to promote development of standards and best practices across the ocean observing networks, primarily working with the OCG community of networks, however also liaising across GOOS on best practice development to ensure consistency and alignment in this important area.

In addition, the OCG Vice Chair Standards and Best Practices will be expected to act as the OCG representative on the GOOS/IODE Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS) Steering Group, to continue to drive and manage the GOOS best practice endorsement process, and to ensure that the OBPS responds to the needs of the GOOS OCG community.

The GOOS-IODE Ocean Best Practices System was established in June 2019 through Decision IOC-XXX.Dec7.2.1, as a joint project between GOOS and IODE. The Ocean Best Practices System is a global initiative aimed at improving and standardising practices for collecting, analysing and sharing ocean data and information. The OBPS is managed by its Steering Group representing major stakeholders.

This is an important role for the OCG, the ocean observing networks and GOOS. The OCG is at the heart of strengthening, streamlining, and evolving the ocean observing system to be responsive to the needs of Member States and other users. This Vice Chair role is an active role and requires someone who is experienced in ocean observing and interested in evolving the development, recognition and use of standards and best practices across the ocean observing system. The goal is to provide the standards and best practices framework to assure the standardisation of practices and traceability of ocean data, so that the quality of systems and resulting data are maintained at the highest possible levels of quality.

See the detailed call and the Terms of Reference here.

Application process

Applicants are kindly requested to send a CV and covering letter, indicating how they meet the attributes and skills required, as outlined in Annex 1, with confirmation that they have or anticipate receiving permission, as relevant, from their employer. 

Please send the applications via email to Ms Weronika Kmiec (w.kmiec@unesco.org), any questions about the role can be addressed to Ms Emma Heslop (e.heslop@unesco.org).
The deadline for receiving the applications is 18:00 CET on 14 February 2025.