# Application for Deputy Secretary ([OSPAR Commission](https://www.ospar.org)) Application for Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity To the Executive Secretariat of the OSPAR Commission, I am writing to apply for the post of Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity, at the OSPAR Commission. I understand that biodiversity is a varied and growing portfolio for OSPAR, and I am keen to assist parties in meeting their treaty obligations and advancing their environmental objectives. I am driven and ambitious, with extensive knowledge of marine policy issues, particularly the regional approach to ocean governance. I am currently a Research Fellow in International Marine Policy at the Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales (IDDRI, Sciences Po) in Paris, where I lead our activities on areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) and a project on regional governance in the Southwest Indian Ocean. I have also played an instrumental role in the conception and formation of the Partnership for Regional Ocean Governance (PROG), a collaboration with the German Government, UNEP, and other partners. We are now finalising funding for this ambitious project and developing a suite of activities on regional ocean governance, ABNJ, and the implementation of SDG 14. I am excited by the prospect of working within a leading Regional Seas programme to protect and conserve the North-East Atlantic, and I believe that my passion and experience will make a significant contribution to the Commission’s work on biodiversity. ### Knowledge of marine policy I have studied many international environmental law subjects, and during the course of my doctoral studies I have gained an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a range of oceans governance issues, including: EU regulation (e.g. the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Common Fisheries Policy, and the MSP and EIA Directives), MSP, marine licensing, ICZM, EIA, and offshore oil and gas regulation. I am regularly invited to lecture on marine governance and policy at courses run by the International Ocean Institute and at Sciences Po, and am a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law. In writing an initial report for our SDG project, I have gained extensive knowledge of the efforts of OSPAR and other regional governance frameworks. I have learned about the OSPAR MPA network and the “collective arrangement”, and have read key publications on these topics, including the 2012 assessment of ecological coherence, the 2014 status report, and the recently published information paper on the collective arrangement. In the context of our Southwest Indian Ocean project, I have extensively researched existing efforts to provide for cross-sectoral management in ABNJ and have written a report on potential options for the region. My involvement in the ongoing ABNJ discussions has strengthened my knowledge of the UN system and international processes. I believe the ABNJ negotiations will be of increasing relevance and interest to Regional Seas programmes, and I would look forward to using my knowledge and experience to support OSPAR in this process. I am deeply interested in marine science and have made considerable efforts to further my understanding of this area. I am enrolled in the University of Exeter’s distance learning course on marine biology, due to commence in October. I will also attend the 2016 CommOcean conference and training day with the aim of ensuring that my policy work is linked to the relevant science and that I am able to communicate research outcomes in an efficient and effective manner. At IDDRI, collaboration across different teams is strongly encouraged, and at OSPAR I would be keen to work with other Deputy Secretaries, for example on offshore industry and human activities, to find synergies and ensure the completeness of the biodiversity portfolio. Page 1 of 5 Application for Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity ### Personal skills As a friendly and easy-going person, I quickly form effective working relationships with colleagues and collaborators. I currently work with a team of around 10 people across 3 organisations to develop the PROG, and I am editing a book on the governance of ocean energy technologies with around 20 authors. At REN21 I managed a global community of experts, while previously at a small Australian NGO I was responsible for hiring and managing consultants who provided reports and workshops for our projects. At the same time, I regularly undertake solo projects on my own initiative, write papers, and produce reports with limited oversight. As the lead for IDDRI’s ABNJ activities, I have formulated a coherent strategy for engagement with the process and relevant delegations, and independently identified key gaps for research. As a result, IDDRI is a respected authority on these issues and is playing a leading role in advancing key aspects of the process. I also managed my PhD independently, from the conception of the project to interviewing stakeholders and authoring publications. I am organised and efficient in my time management, using innovative tools like Trello and Mendeley to automate and simplify organisational tasks. Impressed by how such tools have reduced my bureaucratic load, the ocean team at IDDRI has enthusiastically adopted them, allowing us to dedicate more time and energy to substantive research and project development. ### Representational skills I regularly represent IDDRI and our work to high-level representatives at official meetings at UN headquarters and at related side events, workshops, and meetings. I also represent IDDRI in coordinating with external funders and partners, including government agencies, research institutes and UN bodies. As a student, I was part of a project to send a university delegation to Rio+20. I represented my institution in numerous side events and meetings, including a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister. Research and communication skills My research and writing skills are evidenced in my extensive and varied publications. In addition to publishing over 20 peer-reviewed papers on a range of topics, I have experience writing communications for different audiences, including working papers, submissions to government and regulatory bodies, media articles, and press releases. I am a confident public speaker and regularly speak at conferences, workshops, and invited lectures. I also have a strong track record in advocacy and outreach. As a keen user of social media and other digital tools, I have built an extended professional network through which I am able to promote and disseminate our work. For example, I recently distributed IDDRI’s flagship publication to almost 9,000 followers on Twitter, and to stakeholders and practitioners worldwide through mailing lists, personal contacts, and an op- ed in The Conversation. As a result, a journalist from Nature interviewed me for a news article, and the report has become the go-to guide to the negotiations. ### Language skills English is my native language, though I have a passion for language learning. I have both written and presented in French, and am currently taking individual classes with the goal of obtaining the DELF (C1) this year. I speak Spanish (approx. B1-B2) and have previously studied Portuguese, Swedish, Indonesian and British Sign Language. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I believe that I will make an invaluable contribution to OSPARs work on biodiversity, and I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Page 2 of 5 Application for Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity B. Personal details 1. Wright 2. Glen William 4. [REDACTED PHONE] / glen.w.wright@gmail.com 6. West Midlands, UK 7. Male 9. August 2017 or earlier C. Education Schools attended Years Institution(s) [REDACTED PHONE] King Edward VI College (sixth form) [REDACTED PHONE] Summerhill School [REDACTED PHONE] Church of the Ascension Primary school ### Higher education Years Institution(s) Qualification Class Main subjects Environmental law [REDACTED PHONE] University of Nottingham LLB Bachelors Human rights [REDACTED PHONE] University of Texas US law International law [REDACTED PHONE] University of New South Wales LLM Masters Environmental law Law of the sea 2012-Present Australian National University PhD Doctorate Marine governance Further education • Marine Biology (University of Exeter CPD course, enrolled 2016) • Contemporary Issues in Oceans Governance (online course, 2014) • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Teach International, 2012) • Introduction to Counselling (AQA, 2008) • Information and Communication Technology (GNVQ, 2002) • British Sign Language Level 1 (CACDP, 1998) D. Language skills English Mother tongue French Good/fluent Spanish Good Page 3 of 5 Application for Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity E. Computer skills Owing to a longstanding interest in computing, I am an advanced user of: • Word processing software; • Basic data management software (Excel, Access); • Writing and citation management tools (Scrivener, Mendeley, EndNote); • Web design software and programming languages (Dreamweaver, HTML, PHP, MySQL); • Content management systems (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal); • Presentation tools (PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote); • Social media management platforms (Hootsuite, Buffer, TweetDeck); and • Image editing software (Photoshop, GIMP). F. Employment record ### Present employment Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI, Sciences Po), Paris • Type: Think tank/research institute • Start date: March 2014 • Title: Research Fellow • Salary: £30,000 I coordinate our activities on areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), including developing a strategy, producing publications, making proposals for the new agreement, and attending UN meetings and other high-level events. I am collaborating with international partners to develop a suite of projects on ABNJ, regional ocean governance, and the implementation of SDG 14. I am also responsible for the delivery of inputs to a project studying options for the protection of biodiversity in ABNJ in the Southwest Indian Ocean. Employment history REN21 (UNEP), Paris • Type: Non-profit association • Dates: September 2013 – February 2014 • Title: Researcher • Location: Paris I managed an international community of experts and coordinated with authors and contributors to produce the Global Status of Renewables report. I provided in-house research on key policy issues and used my computing expertise to streamline contact and project management processes. Total Environment Center, Sydney • Type: NGO • Dates: August 2011 – August 2013 • Title: Energy Advocate • Location: Sydney I ran a campaign to improve sustainability of the Australian National Electricity Market. I developed projects, drafted submissions to various national bodies, and wrote accessible discussion papers on complex topics. I also managed consultants, wrote media releases, and coordinated with other advocacy organisations. Page 4 of 5 Application for Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity Herbert ████ Freehills, Sydney • Type: Law firm • Dates: September 2010 – October 2011 • Title: Paralegal • Location: Sydney I conducted drafted contract clauses, designed presentations, and wrote research notes on a range of topics, including the regulation of coal exploration and mining, the Renewable Energy Target, and carbon pricing. University of New South Wales, Sydney • Type: Academic • Dates: August 2010 – December 2011 • Title: Research Assistant As a Research Assistant to ██████, I extensively researched the regulation of marine genetic resources, international climate law, and legal issues surrounding synthetic biology. I also researched and drafted sections of Australia’s first textbook on renewable energy law and assisted with the development of courses in climate law and renewable energy law. G. References My present employer would be happy to provide a reference: ████████ Coordinator, Oceans and Coastal Zones Programme [REDACTED EMAIL] [REDACTED PHONE] Additional references 1. ███████████, Seascape Consultants; Programme Coordinator, Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative [REDACTED EMAIL] [REDACTED PHONE] 2. Takehiro Nakamura Coordinator, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit, United Nations Environment Programme [REDACTED EMAIL] [REDACTED PHONE] 3. Sebastian Unger Scientific Coordinator, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies [REDACTED EMAIL] [REDACTED PHONE] ### H. Declaration I confirm that the information in this application is a true and complete response to the requests for information in the instructions for applicants for the post of Deputy Secretary of the OSPAR Commission. I understand that any wilful misstatement in this information will render me liable to dismissal, if I am employed by the OSPAR Commission. __________________________ Page 5 of 5 Victoria House 37-63 Southampton Row London WC1B 4DA United Kingdom t: +44 (0)[REDACTED PHONE] e: [REDACTED EMAIL] www.ospar.org Vacancy Announcement and Job Description for the post of Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity 1. Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the post of Deputy Secretary in the Secretariat of the OSPAR Commission. 2. Under the Commission’s Staff Rules, the appointment will be for an initial period of three years (subject to an initial period of probation). After a review at the end of that period, a second three‐ year contract may then be offered. There is a maximum period of service of six years, except in special circumstances. 3. The successful candidate will be asked to take up his /her post sometime from beginning of August 2017. The post is based in the Secretariat offices in central London. 4. The post is open to nationals of the Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention, that is, nationals from the following countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and nationals of any other State which is a Member State of the European Union. The OSPAR Commission 5. The OSPAR Commission is an international intergovernmental organisation established to protect the marine environment in the North‐East Atlantic Ocean. It consists of representatives of the Contracting Parties: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the European Union. The Commission is administered by a Secretariat based in London, which also supports a sister organisation, the Bonn Agreement. 6. The Secretariat consists of an Executive Secretary, four Deputy Secretaries and six administrative assistants. The working languages are English and French. 7. The responsibilities of the Secretariat are to help the Commission develop and implement its policies and regulation. This includes the preparation of, and assistance at, the meetings of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies, the preparation of reports and documents for these meetings, general secretariat duties connected with the smooth running of the Commission’s activities and relations with the public, the media and inter‐governmental and non‐governmental organisations. OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North‐East Atlantic Commission OSPAR pour la Protection du Milieu Marin de l’Atlantique du Nord‐Est 1 of 3 8. Further information about the OSPAR Commission can be obtained from the Commission’s website at www.ospar.org. Description of the post and requirements 9. Deputy Secretaries are expected to make themselves familiar with the full range of the Commission’s activities and to work to ensure integration between the different themes of work. 10. The work involves advising the relevant committees and working groups of the Commission, ensuring the preparation of the documents necessary for their meetings (including drawing up technical reports, supervising the compilation of statistical reports for publication and editing draft background documents on specific problems), writing the summary records of those meetings and ensuring appropriate follow‐up to the conclusions of the meetings. The person appointed to this particular role is responsible for the many strands of work that are under OSPAR’s Biodiversity Strategy and the current Deputy Secretary has also been leading on OSPAR’s Data and Information Management Strategy. 11. The person to be appointed will have attained a general educational standard equivalent to a good university degree, preferably in environmental management, natural or environmental sciences and will normally have had at least five years' work experience in environmental policy development and implementation. 12. The principal abilities required include:  a good working knowledge of environmental policy and its regulatory basis, with particular reference to the marine environment;  an understanding of the marine environment from an ecosystem perspective;  knowledge of practical, legal and institutional aspects of intergovernmental organisations;  the ability to address the application of environmental knowledge and information for the purposes of OSPAR’s objectives and on‐going work;  representational skills to present material to the Commission and its subsidiary bodies and to represent the views and policies of the Commission in other forums;  sound organisational and administrative skills (including IT skills, among which should be familiarity with word‐processing, spread‐sheets and data management)  experience that would help to further develop the Data and Information strategy within OSPAR would be an advantage. 13. It is expected that the person appointed will ideally have particular experience or knowledge of marine environmental monitoring and assessment and/or implementation of policies relating to marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Knowledge of relevant International or European marine regulation and policy making is also relevant. 14. The bulk of the Secretariat's work is conducted in English, but documents, reports and publications are also produced in French and some of the correspondence is written in French. A thorough knowledge of English is therefore essential, as is the ability to draft quickly, accurately and concisely in English. Given equal professional qualifications, preference will be given to candidates who also have a good knowledge of French. 15. Deputy Secretaries are required to travel frequently within Europe and to accept irregular working hours. Terms of Service and Remuneration 16. The terms and conditions of service will be those set out in the Commission’s Staff regulations (Agreement 2000‐14). Remuneration will be in accordance with Grade A3 of the scales of remuneration of the Coordinated Organisations for staff serving in the United Kingdom. Further details on the salary and on allowances which may be payable are contained in the “Remuneration” document. Procedure 17. Further details of this post and the way in which applications should be made is included in the “Application Instructions” document. 18. The closing date for applications is 30 September 2016 and applications should be sent for the attention of the Executive Secretary to [REDACTED EMAIL]. The Secretariat will acknowledge receipt of your application by email. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within a few days, please contact the Secretariat to check that your application has been received. Please include the following in the subject line of your email: “Application Deputy Secretary 2017”. 19. The indicative timetable for this appointment procedure is as follows: Step Date Applications to be sent to the Executive Secretary 30 September 2016 at the latest Shortlisting of candidates 14 October 2016 Interview with short‐listed candidates resulting in 27 October 2016 recommendations for appointment Approval procedure finalised 10 November 2016 Successful applicants to take up appointment from Beginning of August 2017 Please note that the above timings are indicative only. OSPAR Deputy Secretary Post vacant from: August 2017 Closing date for applications: 30 September 2016 Location: Central London The OSPAR Commission is seeking a university graduate with a minimum of five years’ professional experience in environmental policy development and implementation. Experience in dealing with the implementation of international conventions is desired. Experience in working with data and information in policy making would also be considered an advantage. Applicants must be nationals of one of the 15 OSPAR Contracting Parties or of any other State which is a Member State of the European Union. Main duties and responsibilities 1. Assist the OSPAR Executive Secretary on policy issues regarding the implementation of the OSPAR Convention and OSPAR Strategy, in particular, related to the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy and the Data and Information Management Strategy; 2. Prepare OSPAR meetings, including drafting agendas, meeting and working documents and identify follow‐up actions, including liaison with OSPAR Contracting Parties for the implementation of OSPAR working programmes; 3. Support other work areas and contribute to the development and implementation of other strategic and cross‐cutting issues as required, including in relation to delivery of periodic status reports; 4. Liaise with other regional environmental conventions and organisations in taking forward work under OSPAR Committees, as appropriate, and represent the OSPAR Commission in meetings, workshops and seminars organized by external organisations. ### Education University degree in environmental management, natural or environmental sciences or related fields. Languages English and French are the working languages of the OSPAR Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French would be an asset. Required competencies 1. Strong organisational skills in coordinating and prioritising activities and administrative skills (including IT competences in a suite of office applications – word‐processing, spread‐sheets and data management); 2. Ability to work independently under general guidance, and to exercise initiative and judgement; 3. Excellent written and spoken English and document drafting, presentation and communication skills; 4. Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines; 5. Ability to work as part of a team in an international cross‐cultural context. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge, experience and understanding of:  environmental policy and its regulatory basis, with particular reference to the marine environment;  the marine environment from an ecosystem perspective;  practical, legal and institutional aspects of intergovernmental organisations; and should have:  the ability to address the application of environmental knowledge and information for the purposes of OSPAR’s objectives and ongoing work;  representational skills to present material to the Commission and its subsidiary bodies and to represent the views and policies of the Commission in other forums;  experience that would help to further develop the Data and Information Strategy within OSPAR would be an advantage;  ideally – particular experience or knowledge of global marine environmental regulation/ European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive or equivalent EU regulation and processes. For further details please see the “job description” and the “application instructions” documents. For further information about OSPAR, please consult the website: www.ospar.org or telephone the Secretariat: [REDACTED PHONE]. 2