Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

 

Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

Vacancy: Communication Secretary at the HELCOM Secretariat

Applications are invited for the post of Communication Secretary at the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) Secretariat to take care of the external communication and public relations activities of HELCOM. The post, which is based in Helsinki, Finland at the Commission’s Secretariat, will be become vacant on 1 February 2023.

Candidates with the required expertise and qualifications are invited to submit their application no later than 14 November 2022.

Please read here the full vacancy announcement

Vacancy in the HELCOM Secretariat: Project Researcher on Biological Effects of Contaminants

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organization (Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden) with its headquarters (Secretariat) in Helsinki, Finland, working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. At present, we are around 30 staff members at the HELCOM Secretariat, and our working language is English. We offer an open, friendly, dynamic and energetic, often fast-paced, international working environment 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.

We are currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic expert to strengthen our team as a Project Researcher in the field of hazardous substances, specifically on the Biological Effects of Contaminants (marine/aquatic/environmental contaminants).

Biological Effects of Contaminants project

The recent update of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP 2021) and preparatory work leading up to this have identified the need for a strengthening of work related to the Biological Effects of Contaminants in HELCOM (i.e. in the Baltic Sea marine environment). The main focus of this work is to make significant steps towards achieving action HL13 in the BSAP 2021: ‘By 2028 develop further relevant monitoring for the biological effects of hazardous substances in order to facilitate a reliable ecosystem health assessment’. To support the fulfilment of this regionally agreed action and take steps towards it this project will initially focus on reviewing existing methodologies and exploring possible harmonisation, developing and testing an integrated approach that can be applied across the region, and developing a series of relevant recommendations for future use or future development regionally in this field.

The work builds on previous processes within HELCOM, including the following:

Responsibilities

The Project Researcher’s task is to review suitable Biological Effects of Contaminants methodologies, carry out the development and testing of an integrated assessment approach for the region, and develop recommendations on future work and harmonisation options with relevance to the Baltic Sea (HELCOM) region. The activities include:

  • Developing an initial proposal/work plan for the tasks to be carried out;
  • Taking guidance from the relevant regional Experts within the EGs and WGs;
  • Carrying out relevant review and preparatory steps, e.g., taking stock of current status quo in HELCOM, reviewing relevant methodologies and indicators available and evaluating current integrated assessment approaches;
  • Drafting a summary of available methodologies and their potential for application;
  • Further developing and applying an integrated assessment approach for the region;
  • Evaluating best options for harmonisation and future work in the form of recommendations;
  • Supporting other associated processes as considered needed by relevant Secretariat staff.

The tasks are expected to be carried out independently. However, the Project Researcher will cooperate with the HELCOM staff involved, who will provide comments and general guidance on the overall HELCOM framework. The HELCOM Expert Group on Hazardous Substances (EG HAZ), in particular the recently formed sub-team focussing on Biological Effects, will support and guide the work. EG HAZ is an international network of regional experts that works to enhance regional collaboration and serves as a platform for information exchange. The work carried out in the project will also be reviewed and guided by relevant HELCOM Working Groups (WGs). Relevant work may also enter the Third Holistic Assessment of the Baltic Sea report (see the 2018 version).

The Project Researcher is responsible for reporting and communicating of project work and outcomes to relevant HELCOM groups. In addition, the person may be requested to work in other processes and projects related to the same topics/field.

Qualifications and experience

The tasks require a background in the Biological Effects of Contaminants, including mixture and combined effects and statistical approaches for their identification. Expertise in a closely related field, such as marine biology, ecology, ecotoxicology, or environmental chemistry, will be beneficial. Documented expertise and knowledge related to the statistical evaluation of multiple drivers of physiological response in aquatic organisms, the impacts of contaminants in the marine/aquatic environment, and interdisciplinary work are also a significant benefit.

The successful candidate shall have:

  • University degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) related to the Biological Effects of Contaminants or another related field;
  • Minimum of two years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level;
  • Familiarity and experience in several of the following:
    • Biological effects of environmental contaminants;
    • Physiological ecology;
    • Mixture and combined effects in aquatic environments;
    • Use of biomarkers and bioindicators of animal health;
    • Statistical and analytical approaches for analysis of biological effects;
    • Environmental/marine policy at the national or international level;
    • Interdisciplinary work in environmental sciences.
  • Excellent organizational and administrative skills and proven ability to deliver to tight timelines;
  • Ability to work independently, take responsibility and initiative;
  • Excellent social and team skills;
  • as well as high competence in IT skills;

Experience in the following work will be considered an asset:

  • Projects related to the marine environment/Baltic Sea;
  • Environmental chemistry, stress ecology, ecotoxicology or similar;
  • Multivariate statistical analysis of large data sets;
  • National or international management of environmental contaminants;
  • Experience of international cooperation;
  • Policy implementation experience.

Terms of appointment

The appointment is planned to be full time, starting in September or early October 2022 and for a duration of 18 months. The monthly salary is 2.800 € per month. Please note, that the HELCOM salaries are exempt from Finnish income tax.

How to apply?

Candidates with the required expertise and qualifications are invited to submit their application (consisting of a CV and a motivation letter) via e-mail to recruitment@helcom.fi no later than 21 August 2022. Please write “Project Researcher HAZ Biological Effects” in the subject field of the message. Interviews are tentatively planned to take place at the Secretariat on 31 August 2022.

Vacancy in the HELCOM Secretariat: Project Researcher on strengthening the HELCOM framework for hazardous substances

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organization (Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden) with its headquarters (Secretariat) in Helsinki, Finland, working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. At present, we are around 30 staff members at the HELCOM Secretariat, and our working language is English. We offer an open, friendly, dynamic and energetic, often fast-paced, international working environment 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.

We are currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic expert to strengthen our team as a Project Researcher in the field of hazardous substances (marine/aquatic/environmental contaminants).

Strengthening the HELCOM framework for hazardous substances project

The recent update of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP 2021) and preparatory work leading up to this have identified the need for the development of a well-defined and functional strategic framework for addressing hazardous substances in HELCOM (i.e. for the Baltic Sea region). The main focus (or final outcome) of the project is to develop a document that represents a strategic holistic approach to manage hazardous substances (with an action plan). To achieve this final aim a number of preparatory steps are needed to build on previously carried out work and identified gaps.

The work builds on previous processes within HELCOM, including the following:

Responsibilities

The Project Researcher’s task is to carry out the preparatory work needed and subsequently develop a strategic framework for addressing hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea (HELCOM) region. The activities include:

  • Developing an initial proposal/work plan for the tasks to be carried out;
  • Taking guidance from the relevant regional Experts within the EGs and WGs;
  • Carrying out relevant review and preparatory steps, e.g. taking stock of current status quo in HELCOM, identifying links and overlap and addressing gaps between relevant policy initiatives, and reviewing priority substances;
  • Drafting the document that represents a strategic holistic approach to manage hazardous substances (with an action plan);
  • Supporting other associated processes as considered needed by relevant Secretariat staff.

The tasks are expected to be carried out independently. However, the Project Researcher will cooperate with the HELCOM staff involved, who will provide comments and general guidance on the overall HELCOM framework. The HELCOM Expert Group on Hazardous Substances (EG HAZ), in particular the recently formed sub-team focussing on the strategic approach, will support and guide the work. EG HAZ is an international network of regional experts that works to enhance regional collaboration and serves as a platform for information exchange. The work carried out in the project will also be reviewed and guided by relevant HELCOM Working Groups (WGs) and presented for adoption to the Heads of Delegation (HODs) at a final stage.

The Project Researcher is responsible for reporting and communicating of project work and outcomes to relevant HELCOM groups. In addition, the person may be requested to work in other processes and projects related to the same topics/field.

Qualifications and experience

The tasks require a background in environmental chemistry, managing hazardous substances /environmental contaminants, or a corresponding field. Previous expertise and knowledge related to environmental policy (e.g. the Baltic Sea Action Plan, related HELCOM Recommendations, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Water Framework Directive, REACH, Industrial Emissions Directive, or the Stockholm Convention), national action plans and measures to address contaminants in the marine environment, marine biology and interdisciplinary work are also a significant benefit.

The successful candidate shall have:

  • University degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental chemistry or other related field (e.g. environmental policy);
  • Minimum of two years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level;
  • Familiarity and experience in several of the following:
    • Environmental chemistry
    • Marine/aquatic pollution/contamination
    • Environmental/marine policy at the national or international level
    • Interdisciplinary work
  • Excellent organizational and administrative skills and proven ability to deliver to tight timelines;
  • Ability to work independently, take responsibility and initiative;
  • Excellent social and team skills;
  • Thorough knowledge of the English language as well as high competence in IT skills;
  • Experience from working in multinational projects.

Experience in the following work will be considered an asset:

  • Projects related to the marine environment/Baltic Sea;
  • Management of contaminants/hazardous substances;
  • National or international management of hazardous substances;
  • Experience of international cooperation;
  • Policy implementation experience.

Terms of appointment

The appointment is planned to be full time, starting in September 2022 or early October and for a duration of 18 months. The monthly salary is 2.800 € per month. Please note, that the HELCOM salaries are exempt from Finnish income tax.

How to apply?

Candidates with the required expertise and qualifications are invited to submit their application (consisting of a CV and a motivation letter) via e-mail to recruitment@helcom.fi no later than 21 August 2022. Please write “Project Researcher HAZ strategic” in the subject field of the message. Interviews are tentatively planned to take place at the Secretariat on 1 September 2022.

Vacancy: Project Financial Coordinator

Applications are closed.

We are currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic expert to strengthen our team at the international HELCOM Secretariat in Helsinki as a Project Financial Coordinator. The Project Financial Coordinator is responsible for financial management of externally financed projects where HELCOM is either coordinator or partner. Most of the projects are co-financed by EU, by the Interreg programme, Horizon and other EU funding instruments.

The selected candidate is expected to start preferably on 14 February 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is full-time and fixed-term until 31 December 2023, with a possibility for prolongation. The salary is 2,900 EUR per month. The salaries paid by the Commission are exempt from Finnish income tax.

Application deadline is 16 January 2022.

More information and application

Vacancy: Administrative Assistant (fixed-term)

This vacancy is now closed. We are no longer accepting applications.

We are currently in search of an enthusiastic expert to strengthen our team at the international HELCOM Secretariat as Administrative Assistant parental leave substitute. The position is to support the Administrative Officer in the administration of the Secretariat. While the tasks are mainly focused on finances, they also include tasks related to HR and general administration of the office.

Responsibilities

  • Assisting in closing of accounts and preparing the financial statement;
  • tasks related to accounting, invoicing, reporting and follow‐up;
  • support in budgeting tasks;
  • tasks related to HR and general administration (e.g. preparing contracts, reports and applications);
  • support in developing the administrative tools of the Secretariat;
  • other administrative tasks as assigned.

Qualifications and experience.

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. business administration, public administration, economics) or corresponding education;
  • minimum of two years of relevant professional experience from financial and administrative tasks;
  • knowledge of accounting practices and systems;
  • ability to work independently, take responsibility and initiatives;
  • excellent organizational and administrative skills and proven ability to deliver to tight timelines;
  • excellent social and team skills;
  • A thorough knowledge of the English and Finnish languages as well as high competence in ITskills.
    Experience from the financial management of EU co‐financed projects is an asset.

Terms of appointment

The selected candidate is expected to start preferably on 11 January 2022. The appointment is a parental leave substitute for one year, with a possibility of prolongation. The salary is 2.800 € per month. Please note that the salaries paid by the Commission are exempt from Finnish income tax.

The interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place on 1 December 2021 in Helsinki.

Vacancy announcement: Communications trainee

We are currently in search of an enthusiastic trainee to support our communication activities at the international HELCOM Secretariat. The position involves both media production and content development tasks related to HELCOM’s institutional communications and the upcoming HELCOM Ministerial Meeting 2021 (MM2021) that will take place in Lübeck, Germany on 20 October 2021. The trainee will also be involved in communication activities related to the updated HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) that is due to be adopted during the MM2021. 

Applicants with the required expertise and personal qualities are invited to submit their application (consisting of a CV, a motivation letter and a portfolio of recent job-related and or study-related work) via e-mail no later than 15 May 2021.

Job offer: Project researcher in economic and social analyses

Project researcher in economic and social analyses to support the third HELCOM holistic assessment of ecosystem health (HOLAS III) in the Methodology Development Project

Please note: recruitment closed

We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced professional and enthusiastic person to strengthen our team at the international HELCOM Secretariat in Helsinki, Finland, as a Project Researcher on economic and social analyses of the marine environment.

The appointment is planned to be full time, starting preferably on 18 January 2021 through the end of the project on 31 March 2022. The monthly salary is 2.800 € per month. Please note that the HELCOM salaries are exempt from Finnish income tax.

The tasks require a background in environmental economics or a corresponding field. Previous expertise and knowledge of ecosystem services, ecosystem accounting, and interdisciplinary work are needed.

The Project Researcher’s task is to implement the activities in the work package on economic and social analysis. The activities include:

  • developing approaches and collecting information for identifying and assessing marine and coastal ecosystem services to improve the implementation of the ecosystem approach;
  • developing an approach for conducting a marine ecosystem accounting pilot study for the Baltic Sea to describe and quantify interactions between the economy and marine environment based on recent EU work and existing methods and approaches;
  • exploring the possibilities to develop indicators for drivers in the Baltic Sea region, for factors that drive changes in human activities and sectors utilizing the marine environment;
  • developing connections between economic and social analyses and environmental assessments of HOLAS III, and the elements within economic and social analyses.

Please apply by 23 November 2020