Pacific Islands GOOS Coordinator (SOPAC)

Background

The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) was initiated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in 1991 in recognition of the need for accurate marine observations for a range of issues such as climate forecasting, oceans and coastal management, and hazard warnings. GOOS has an open ocean and a coastal component, where delivery of the latter is principally through GOOS Regional Alliances (GRAs). There are currently 12 GRAs of which PI-GOOS is one of the most established.

Pacific Island communities have strong connections with their coastal waters, the goods and services they provide. Many of the region’s oceanographic and biological processes cross expanses of water within the region forming ecological connections between different countries. Proper stewardship of coastal resources and environments across the region is therefore critical to sustain and improve livelihoods, particularly against a backdrop of climate change and associated impacts, and increasing population growth. Managing resource use and human developments to ensure healthy, clean, and productive oceanic and coastal waters requires the provision of sound scientific advice based on accurate and objective marine data, observations and associated products such as predictive models.

In cooperation with the host institution SOPAC, the sponsors of PIGOOS (IOC-UNESCO Perth Regional Programme Office, NOAA and Australian Bureau of Meteorology), and with assistance by an advisory committee of regional stakeholders, the PI-GOOS Coordinator will lead, manage, and coordinate the development and implementation of programmes of work designed to improve the capacities of SOPAC Member Countries to manage their coastal waters in a sustainable manner through better access and use of reliable and objective marine data, observations and associated products. This will be achieved via an active portfolio of work including outreach, communications, support to observing programmes, training, education, and data management and access. Targeted activities under these headings will be designed to facilitate the establishment and implementation of coastal and ocean observing programmes, and also help to improve uptake and use of the data, information and products being generated by existing coastal and open ocean programmes.

Application Deadline

12 June 2009

To view the Terms of Reference, visit http://www.sopac.org/tiki-download_file.php?fileId=1902

Applications should comprise of a detailed CV and cover letter addressing the job specifications, a copy of which can be obtained from the Administration Officer (recruitment@sopac.org).

Should you wish to discuss the post prior to submitting your application, please contact Dr Arthur Webb of SOPAC arthur@sopac.org, or ~tc~Dr Nick D’Adamon~/tc~ of the UNESCO IOC Perth Regional Programme Office nick.d’adamo@bom.gov.au.