NORTH PACIFIC MARINE SCIENCE ORGANIZATION
Assistant Executive Secretary Position
Applications are invited for a three-year appointment to the position of
Assistant Executive Secretary of the North Pacific Marine Science
Organization (PICES).
PICES is an intergovernmental scientific organization which was established
and had its first meeting in 1992. Member countries currently are Canada,
the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian
Federation, and the United States of America. English is the working and
official language of the Organization.
The purpose of the Organization is to promote and co-ordinate marine
scientific research in the temperate and subarctic region of the North
Pacific and its adjacent seas; to advance scientific knowledge about the
ocean environment and its interactions with land and atmosphere, its role in
and response to global weather and climate change, its living resources and
ecosystems, and impact upon it from human activities; and to promote the
collection and rapid exchange of scientific information on these issues.
The PICES Secretariat is located at the Institute of Ocean Sciences, British
Columbia, Canada, and provides services to the Organization in the exercise
of its duties and functions.
Qualifications and Essential Experience
Applicant must be a citizen of a Member country of PICES at the time of
assuming office. Preference will be given to a candidate with a Ph.D. degree
or equivalent experience in one of the marine science disciplines from a
recognized university. In order to complement the Executive Secretary’
background, applicants who have qualification in biology/fishery would be an
asset.
Applicants must have experience in conducting and managing scientific
research, and administrative experience with international co-operative
scientific programs and international organizations. Knowledge of marine
science activities in the northern North Pacific region is desirable.
Experience in data management would be an asset.
Applicants should have experience in the organization of large and small
meetings and the provision of secretarial support, especially to scientific
committees and groups. Applicants must be fluent in both spoken and written
English. Fluency in another language of a member country would be a benefit.
Description of the Position and Duties
The Assistant Executive Secretary will assist the Executive Secretary, the
Organization's chief administrative officer, in his duties. The successful
candidate:
- must be self motivated and take control of tasks given by the Executive
Secretary - should be prepared to promote the goals of the Organization in the
development of marine science and provide advice to the Executive
Secretary on trends in international marine science - is expected to contribute and implement ideas that improve the
Secretariat's ability to provide better support to the Organization - must be skilled in collaborating and communicating with group of
scientists of different countries, backgrounds and disciplines - should assist the Executive Secretary in preparing annual and other
meetings of the Organization and its constituent bodies and committees
and taking minutes at meetings of Council and Science Board and preparing
annual reports - is expected be responsible for preparing and editing (in English) PICES
Press, PICES Scientific Report Series and other scientific publications
as required by the Organization - should aid the Executive Secretary in preparing budgets
- is expected to have some experience in data management to provide support
to the Technical Committee on Data Management - must be fully skilled in the use of IBM DOS based computers and Internet
operations as the incumbent should be responsible for the development and
maintenance of the PICES Home Page.
The term of office is a minimum of three years and may be renewed at the
discretion of Council.
Salary and Benefits
The annual salary and benefits of the staff of the Organization are guided
by but not limited to the host country (Canada) public service salaries for
equivalent responsibilities. The salary is negotiable, in the range of CND$
62,000 - 90,900 (Research Manager subgroup in Canadian Public Service),
commensurate with qualifications and experience. The salary is subject to
the equivalent of Canadian income tax.
The Organization participates in:
- Group Pension Plan with spouse and survivor benefits,
- Canada Pension Plan,
- Employment Insurance Plan,
- British Columbia Medical Plan,
- Group Extended Health Benefits Plan,
- Group Dental Insurance Plan,
- Group Long-Term Disability Plan, and
- Group Term-Life Insurance Plan.
Applicants can be exempt from membership in some of the plans depending on
circumstances. Cost to the successful applicant would vary depending on the
exemptions.
Payment will be made for moving expenses for the employee and family to the
headquarters at the start of employment and return at the end of employment,
in accordance with the host country public service guidelines. Staff is
entitled to paid annual vacation and holidays traditionally celebrated in
the host country of the Secretariat. Staff are granted sick leave in
accordance with the host state public service guidelines. Internationally
recruited staff and their dependents are entitled to paid two calendar
weeks’ home leave every two years.
Application Procedure
An application should include a covering letter and resume written by the
applicant. At least three references from persons with a knowledge of the
applicant’s qualifications and experience are required; it is desirable that
at least one reference be from a country other than that of the applicant.
Applicants should indicate in their letter an acceptable salary level and a
suitable starting date.
The deadline for applications is July 15, 1999.
Applicants placed on a short list should expect to be interviewed in late
July/early August 1999. A desirable starting date would be
September 15, 1999.
Applicants should ensure that applications and letters of reference (sent
directly by author and marked ‘Personal and Confidential’) are submitted to:
Dr. Alexander S. Bychkov
Executive Secretary
North Pacific Marine Science Organization
c/o Institute of Ocean Sciences
P.O. Box 6000,
Sidney, B.C.,
Canada. V8L 4B2
Phone: (1-250) 363-6366
Fax: (1-250) 363-6827
E-mail: pices [at] ios.bc.ca