[Sdi-latinamericacaribbean] Don Hobern leaving GBIFS; Head of Informatics vacancy announcement

[cnaguirre at ipgh.org]

Source: Iván Valdespino (IABIN Secretariat / Secretaría de IABIN) by way of Santiago Borrero
 
Please find below the directors announcement of Donald Hobern's departure from GBIF and the advertisement of the vacant position as Head of Informatics in the GBIF Secretariat.
 
Dear All
 
It is with much regret that we announce Donald Hobern's intended departure from the GBIF Secretariat towards the end of 2007.  Donald is leaving to take up the role of Project Director for the Atlas of Living Australia, which is seeking to develop a web-based encyclopaedia integrating knowledge of Australia's biodiversity.  As such, not only do we wish Donald all the very best in his new venture whilst thanking him for his huge contribution to GBIF's success to date, we also look forward to continuing to work closely with Donald, the ALA and all contributors to ABIF and to his continued expert inputs to GBIF's further development. 
 
We will communicate more details on Donald's departure later, but in the meantime, request that you forward the accompanying vacancy advert for a 'Head of Informatics' at the GBIF Secretariat to as wide a network of suitable candidates as possible - this is a key position for GBIF and we need to source the best possible candidate.
 
Best wishes
 
Nick
 
-----------------------------
 
Dr Nicholas King
Executive Secretary/Director
Global Biodiversity Information Facility Secretariat
Universitetsparken 15
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark
 
www.gbif.org
nking at gbif.org
Tel: +45 35 32 14 71
Fax: +45 35 32 14 80
Cell: +45 28 75 14 71
 
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VACANCY: Deadline: 15 November 2007
GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION FACILITYHead of Informatics 

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Secretariat seeks a highly experienced Informatics/IT Programme Manager to lead our Informatics team in the ongoing development of our informatics services and internal IT systems. This is a senior-level post reporting to the Director, with an initial contract of up to five years and a highly competitive salary benefiting from the diplomatic status of the Secretariat. The GBIF Secretariat is located in Copenhagen, Denmark with a total staff of 19. For detailed information on GBIF please visit www.GBIF.org.

The GBIF is a growing international initiative with currently 41 countries and 34 international organisations working on the overall mission of mobilising the world's primary biodiversity data via the internet.  Currently the GBIF web portal allows access to more than 950 datasets holding more than a 135 million records (http://data.gbif.org).  Secretariat priorities, with the emphasis on promoting participation and working through partners, include mobilising biodiversity data, developing protocols and standards to ensure scientific integrity and interoperability, building an informatics architecture to allow the interlinking of diverse data types from disparate sources, promoting capacity building and catalyzing development of  the analytical tools for improved decision-making to underpin sustainable development.
 
The Secretariat Informatics team is responsible for:
-        Maintenance and continuing innovative development of the web portal functionality in response to multistakeholder needs.
-        Developing and supporting multiple tools and standards allowing data providers/users to connect their data to the network, access and analyse these data.
-        General IT development and support to the operations of the Secretariat.
 
The Head of Informatics will:
-        Lead the development and implementation of the informatics workplan and budget of the six-person Secretariat Informatics team, as per activities above. 
-        Lead on the development and delivery of key informatics products and services to address multi-stakeholder needs.
-        Liaise continuously with each of the other Secretariat Work Programmes to identify and ensure delivery of appropriate cross-cutting products and services.
-        Play a key role in Secretariat strategic planning and serve as the main liaison between the Secretariat Informatics team and the rest of the Secretariat.
-        Act as Programme Manager for Secretariat IT services and other related Secretariat activities.
 
The Head of Informatics should:
-        Have significant experience (at least 5 years) as a programme/project manager for a variety of high-level, innovative IT projects, particularly web applications.
-        Be output and service driven with a proven ability to manage a team and deliver products in a demanding, dynamic and multistakeholder environment.
-        Have experience extracting and interpreting disparate user needs and translating these quickly into appropriate products and services.
-        Have experience coordinating activities involving a wide range of distributed participants, including governmental, NGO and scientific groups.
-        Have excellent inter-personal skills to foster and motivate a team of skilled professionals and external contributors.
-        Be self-motivated and highly innovative.
 
The following attributes will also be beneficial:
-        Direct experience working as a software developer or software architect.
-        Understanding of the realm of biodiversity information, including taxonomy, collections management, conservation science and policy, and the reporting requirements of the multilateral environmental conventions, etc.
-        Experience liaising with, and contributing to biodiversity-related organisations, agencies and networks.
-        Experience with the development of spatial/GIS solutions and/or semantic web applications.
-        Experience of working on inter-governmental initiatives.
 
The GBIF Head of Informatics post is an exciting opportunity to work in a multi-cultural environment on a major international project and to play a leading role in increasing our understanding and sustainable management of the natural world. The Head of Informatics is expected to take up office by 1 January 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter. 
Further enquiries and applications should be addressed to the Director, Dr Nicholas King at: HOIpost at gbif.org. Applications should include a comprehensive CV, with a cover-letter detailing how you meet the above requirements, and your vision for contributing to the overall mission of GBIF, specifically via the ongoing development of the IT systems, both internal and external.
Closing date: November 15th 2007. Interviews will likely take place in the last week of November.