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Natural Resource Management Adviser The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands
Attractive tax free salary plus benefits
Two-year contract

This is an opportunity to make a positive difference to the economic development of The Cook Islands by helping the country to sustainably manage the exploitation of its valuable seabed mineral resources.

The Cook Islands' seabed holds a large cobalt-rich magnesium nodule resource estimated at 7,500 million tonnes - a potentially highly lucrative resource and a key element in the country's future national development plan.

Thanks to assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat the Cook Islands has already made significant progress in the establishment of a modern regulatory framework for the seabed minerals sector, resulting in the enactment of new national legislation and preparing for the establishment of a new authority, the Seabed Minerals Authority (SMA).

Working as a technical advisor to the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR), you will provide vital advice and guidance as the local mining industry transitions into a regulated environment.

You will: define a coherent operational and corporate plan which informs the design of the SMA management structure; ensure that SMA and MMR officials are fully trained in the effective and efficient regulation of seabed minerals; train SMA and MMR officials in the new Seabed Minerals Act's regulatory framework; develop well understood inspection and monitoring protocols.

With a Master's degree or equivalent in Natural Resource Management or other relevant subject, you must have extensive experience of offshore natural resource management and of working at the government/ministry level. Experienced in organisational development, management reform, capacity development and training, you will have sound knowledge of international best practice and developments concerning offshore natural resources regulation; experience of seabed minerals regulation at the national or international level would be beneficial.

If you have worked in Pacific Island states or other small state jurisdictions, it would be an advantage.

We promote democracy, advance development and celebrate diversity. We are the Commonwealth - an association of 54 member countries around the globe who share the common values of peace, security and sustainable development.

You must be able to operate effectively in our multi-cultural setting and be a national of a Commonwealth country.

For further information about this opportunity, please visit www.thecommonwealth.org

Closing date for applications 23 February 2011