The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is recruiting an Associate Office Manager at P-2 level for the Executive Office of the Secretary General in Kingston, Jamaica. The appointment is for a fixed period of 2 years, and only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible. Applications close on 25 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the job opening and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
Job Opening at a Glance
🏢 Organisation: International Seabed Authority
📌 Position: Associate Office Manager
🎖️ Category and level: P-2
🆔 Job Opening ID: 285880
🧾 Recruitment type: Position Specific
📍 Duty station: Kingston, Jamaica
⏱️ Appointment: Fixed period of 2 years
🌐 Eligibility: Nationals of ISA Member States
The Authority and Its Mandate
The International Seabed Authority is an international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority organizes and controls activities in the Area, meaning the seabed and ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area.
Inside the Executive Office of the Secretary General
The position is based in the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG). The Associate Office Manager provides high-level executive, administrative and protocol support to the Secretary-General to ensure the efficient functioning of the Executive Office.
The role ensures effective coordination of:
📨 Executive communications
🧩 Senior management processes
🎀 Protocol services
🌟 High-level engagements with Member States, diplomatic missions and external stakeholders, including during missions and engagements of the Secretary General
The post holder works under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the Secretary General and within delegated authority.
Running the Secretary-General's Office Day to Day
🗓️ Manage the Secretary-General's calendar, scheduling appointments, meetings, conferences and official engagements
🤝 Receive and attend to high-level visitors and dignitaries with discretion and professionalism
🎟️ Arrange and coordinate senior-level meetings, official functions and receptions hosted by the Secretary-General
📝 Serve as Ex-Officio Secretary to the Senior Management Group (SMG), including agenda preparation, minute-taking and follow-up on decisions
✈️ Coordinate official travel for the Secretary-General, including liaison with Permanent Missions and counterparts
📚 Prepare briefing materials for official missions, meetings and high-level engagements
✉️ Manage executive correspondence: screening, routing, drafting and follow-up
🗄️ Maintain confidential, policy and executive management files
⌨️ Coordinate secretarial services within the Executive Office and ensure quality control of communications
📇 Maintain updated directories of senior officials and diplomatic contacts
🔍 Conduct background research and information searches as required
Protocol Work With Diplomatic Missions
🧭 Advise Permanent Missions and ISA staff on protocol matters
🛂 Serve as liaison between ISA, diplomatic missions, embassies and host authorities in Jamaica and New York
📜 Act as Secretary to the Credentials Committee, overseeing accreditation and credential presentation processes
📘 Maintain and publish the ISA Blue Book of Permanent Missions
🔢 Maintain the ISA Order of Precedence List
🖊️ Organize signing ceremonies for agreements and official instruments
🎉 Coordinate official receptions, events and entertainment hosted by the Secretary-General
🚘 Escort ministers, ambassadors and VIP visitors
⚖️ Liaise with the Office of Legal Affairs on diplomatic privileges and immunities matters
🎫 Coordinate delegation credentials and access passes with the Security and Safety Unit
🏠 Liaise with the host government on protocol issues
➕ Perform other related duties as required
Competencies ISA Will Look For
Professionalism
🧠 Sound judgment, confidentiality, organizational excellence and the ability to manage multiple priorities
💬 Clear, diplomatic and effective written and oral communication
⏰ Strong coordination, prioritization and time management skills
✅ Provides guidance and ensures quality outputs where applicable
🏅 Shows pride in work and in achievements, and demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter
🎯 Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
🧗 Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns and shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
🧘 Remains calm in stressful situations
Communication
🗣️ Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
👂 Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
❓ Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
🎨 Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience
📢 Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
Planning and Organizing
🥅 Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
🔝 Identifies priority activities and assignments and adjusts priorities as required
🕰️ Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
☂️ Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
🔄 Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
⚡ Uses time efficiently
Managing Performance
🔑 Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority
🧷 Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member
⚙️ Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills
🏁 Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
💭 Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff
💡 Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative
🌱 Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff
📏 Appraises performance fairly
Degree Requirements
🎓 An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations, Management, Law or a related field is required
📖 A first-level degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies, with two additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience Needed for a P-2 Post
📊 Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in executive office management, administration, protocol or related fields is required
🌍 Experience in international or intergovernmental organizations is required
🖥️ Strong office systems and coordination experience at executive level is required
💻 Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital communication tools is required
Language Level Required
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required, at the following minimum levels under the UN Language Framework:
📗 Reading: UN Level III
✏️ Writing: UN Level III
🎧 Listening: UN Level III
🎙️ Speaking: UN Level III
How Candidates Are Assessed
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
The evaluation of applicants is conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application, according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations, including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.
Terms of the 2-Year Appointment
📅 The appointment is available for a fixed period of 2 years
🔁 Renewal is subject to the availability of the post, funds and satisfactory performance in the role
🛑 ISA reserves the right not to make any appointment to the vacancy, or to make an appointment at a lower level from the one advertised
🧪 All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation, and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity, are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment
🧳 By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c)
🚚 Staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions
Diversity and Recruitment Principles
🏆 The paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity, in line with article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations
📋 All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs
💙 ISA and the United Nations are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect
👥 Staff are recruited and employed regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities
🌸 The ISA and United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
🗺️ Due regard is paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible
👫 The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs
♿ Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process
🌬️ The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment
Conduct Conditions for Candidates
Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
The job opening defines sexual exploitation as any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power or trust for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
Sexual harassment means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship.
How to Apply Through Inspira
Applications are handled through the United Nations online recruitment platform, inspira.
📑 Carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform
🆘 Refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage
👤 Provide complete and accurate information on your personal profile and qualifications, according to the instructions provided in inspira
🚫 Check your application before sending it: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification can be made to applications that have been submitted
🕛 Job openings on the Careers Portal are removed at 11:59 p.m. New York time on the deadline date
Explore more positions with international organizations in the Jobs section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ISA Associate Office Manager based?
The position is based in the Executive Office of the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston, Jamaica. The duty station is Kingston.
Who can apply for this ISA position?
Only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible for consideration. Candidates must also meet the education, experience and language requirements set out in the job opening.
What does the Associate Office Manager do?
The post holder provides high-level executive, administrative and protocol support to the Secretary-General. The work covers the Secretary-General's calendar, executive correspondence, official travel, Senior Management Group support and protocol services.
What degree does the position require?
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations, Management, Law or a related field is required. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in those fields with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted instead.
How much experience is required?
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in executive office management, administration, protocol or related fields is required. Experience in international or intergovernmental organizations and strong office systems and coordination experience at executive level are also required, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital communication tools.
Is French required for this job?
No, English is the language required for this job opening, at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening and speaking. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
How long is the appointment?
The appointment is available for a fixed period of 2 years. Renewal is subject to the availability of the post, funds and satisfactory performance in the role.
What protocol responsibilities come with the role?
The post holder advises Permanent Missions and ISA staff on protocol, acts as Secretary to the Credentials Committee and maintains the ISA Blue Book of Permanent Missions and the Order of Precedence List. The role also organizes signing ceremonies and liaises with the host government on protocol issues.
What does the selection process include?
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Candidates under serious consideration will be subject to reference checks.
Can an application be changed after submission?
No, no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification can be made to applications that have been submitted. Applicants should provide complete and accurate information in inspira before sending the application.
What time does the job opening close?
The opening closes on 25 November 2026 and is removed from the Careers Portal at 11:59 p.m. New York time on that date.
Deadline
⏳ 25 November 2026
Links
Application page: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285880?language=en
UN Language Framework: https://languages.un.org
