The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to protecting the environment of the Baltic Sea. Its Contracting Parties are Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden.
The HELCOM Secretariat, which supports this mission, is located in Helsinki, Finland. Our team consists of approximately 50 staff members. We work in an open, friendly, dynamic and fast-paced international environment, where English is the official working language. At HELCOM, we foster a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere, offering all staff members the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to achieving our common goals. For more information about HELCOM, please visit our home page: www.helcom.fi.
HELCOM collects data on the Baltic Sea environment reported by HELCOM Contracting Parties into thematic databases, on topics as widely varied as the number of illegal oil discharges or the blubber thickness of seals. The data is made available for several different user groups, and interoperability with other European and global databases is important. The data collected for HELCOM is used for regular assessments of the status of the Baltic Sea environment, and are the evidence base for developing new policies and implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan.
We are currently seeking an experienced Data Coordinator to join our Secretariat team, to further develop HELCOM’s data collection and management work, and to implement the HELCOM Data and Information Strategy. The Data Coordinator’s main responsibility is overseeing HELCOM’s data collection, management and sharing activities, as well as implementing data solutions and facilitating data submissions. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that data collected for HELCOM’s work is quality-assured, reliable, transparent and interoperable with relevant European and international standards. Tasks will include cooperation with the HELCOM Subsidiary Bodies (Working Groups and Expert Groups) dealing with data collection requirements, as well as the management of GIS data and online data portals hosted by HELCOM. The work should be carried out in accordance with relevant international standards and data collection initiatives, and tasks will include coordination and liaison with other international organizations. The Data Coordinator is also responsible for coordinating the Secretariat staff involved in data work, as well as planning and steering the work of externally funded projects contributing to HELCOM’s data collection, data sharing and data analysis activities.
Responsibilities
The main tasks include:
- Coordinate HELCOM’s data collection activities and support the data-related work of HELCOM Working Groups and Expert Groups;
- Coordinate the work of the HELCOM Secretariat data team;
- Facilitate the implementation and further develop the HELCOM Data and Information Strategy;
- Monitor and engage with European and international initiatives related to sharing and harmonization of marine data;
- Plan and participate in externally funded projects to strengthen the HELCOM Data management framework;
- Maintain and update the content of the HELCOM Map and Data service and the HELCOM Metadata catalogue;
- Oversee the maintenance of thematic databases hosted by the HELCOM Secretariat, see https://helcom.fi/baltic-sea-trends/data/;
- Coordinate the visualization and dissemination of data products to a wide range of audiences;
- Manage contracts with external data hosts and service providers;
- Oversee the maintenance and management of ArcGIS Enterprise server environment, in cooperation with IT administrator.
Qualifications and experience
The role requires a candidate with a strong background in environmental and marine data management and a solid understanding of existing related data collection initiatives. The candidate should be able to work hands on with HELCOM datasets as well as coordinate and plan the data management work.
The successful candidate should have:
- A university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field, e.g. Environmental Science, Geography, Data science;
- A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience;
- Experience and knowledge of:
- Data harmonization, validation and management,
- GIS data management (mainly ArcGIS environment),
- Relational database management (PostgreSQL),
- ArcGIS Enterprise server environment;
- Ability to learn and an interest to follow, advance and adopt the latest developments and standards in the field of marine and environmental data management and data science;
- Excellent organizational, communication and administrative skills and the ability to deliver to tight deadlines;
- Ability to work independently, take initiative and assume responsibility;
- Great interpersonal and team-working skills as well as a service-oriented approach;
- Proficiency in English.
Experience/knowledge in the following will be considered an asset:
- Open-source GIS desktop software and server solutions,
- Programming skills (Python, R),
- Data analysis and visualization,
- Experience working in/or with international organizations.
Terms of appointment
We offer a secure, permanent, and full-time contract, starting in June or July 2025, at the HELCOM Secretariat in Helsinki, Finland. The starting salary for the position is 3100 € per month. Please note that HELCOM salaries are exempt from Finnish income taxation i.e. the salary is not subject to income tax.
Employee benefits include occupational health care, flexible working hours, hybrid working, generous leave allowance, recreational activities, and professional development opportunities.
How to apply
Candidates with the required expertise and qualifications are invited to submit their application (consisting of a CV and a motivation letter as one file) via email to recruitment@helcom.fi no later than 13.4.2025. Please write “Data Coordinator” in the subject field of the message. The interviews are scheduled to take place on 28-29 April 2025.
