We are pleased to announce that the UNESCO-IOC OceanTraineeship programme for 2025 is now open for applications of trainees.

 

UNESCO-IOC Ocean Traineeship aim to provide opportunities for hands-on learning and upskilling through a temporary assignment at host institutions with expertise on subject areas relevant to the IOC mandate. 

 

As an IOC Ocean Trainee you will be able to learn specific technical skills that you require in your home institution and for which the host institution and mentor have expertise. You will, after hands-on training, be asked to carry out work that is regularly done by the mentor. 

 

Training applicants must:

- be at the early stages of career development;

- be citizens from IOC Member States included in the DAC List of ODA (refer to list from OECD DAC);

- be employed by government institutions; 

- work on activities contributing to implementation of work plans adopted by IOC Regional Sub-Commissions.

 

For 2025 cohort, there are six (6) host institutions that offer placements to trainees providing their expertise in priority areas. Applicants will be asked to indicate which of the host institutions below best fit their traineeship objectives and how undertaking the trainings at the said host institution relates to their current role and will benefit their employing institutions.

 

1. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval, Argentina

2. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), India

3. Natural Histor Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

4. CSIRO NCMI Information and Data Centre, Australia

5. INVEMAR - Marine and Coastal Research Institute, Colombia

6. Decade Collaborative Center for Coastal Resilience, Department DIFA University of Bologna, Italy

 

training applicants should complete this online application form. It is also a requirement to attach a recommendation letter from your supervisor at your employing institution.

 

DEADLINE for applications is on 25 June 2025- 23:59 (Central European Summer Time). All applicants will be informed of the decision before mid July 2025. The traineeship should take place between September and December 2025 for a time of 3 months.

 

Do not leave for the last minute since the system will close automatically. In case you have any questions please contact the organisers (email: ioc.training@unesco.org) well in advance and always using the name of the call in the subject. Be aware that given time differences you may not get a reply to your question(s) immediately.

 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

Applications will be evaluated by the UNESCO-IOC and host institutions based on the following:

1. Applicant’s profile;

2. Quality of the application;

3. Relevance of the application to the priorities included in the IOC Regional Sub-Commission  workplans;

4. Justification how the training will contribute to building the capacity of the individual and his/her employer organization with lasting impact to the regional capacity;

5. Geographic and gender balance amongst the recipients of the Ocean Traineeship.

 

Qualified applications will be forwarded to the respective  host institutions for their review. The final deliberations will be conducted by the IOC CD team and the host institution’s supervisor/mentor.

 

If shortlisted, an interview will be arranged to co-design the iwork plan in close collaboration with the host supervisor/mentor.

 

Please carefully read the following terms of the traineeship.Submitting an application to the OceanTraineeship indicates your agreement to these terms.

 

The training does not constitute a salary. The IOC will provide the following to successful trainees: 

1. Round trip international air ticket to and from the airport of the trainees country of residence to the nearest airport to the host institution.

2. A monthly stipend will be provided to cover your expenses during the training and will be based on the amount recommended by the host institution. Details on expected expenses can be discussed with the host institution.

3. Travel insurance

4. The training does not cover other expenses incurred domestically such as local transport, visa costs, medical tests, etc.