The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is an intergovernmental organization which aims to advance the scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and provide information and advice on the sustainable use of the seas.
We are currently in search of a highly organized and self-motivated Advice Officer (Parental Leave Cover) to join our Secretariat located in Copenhagen, Denmark. This is a fixed-term, full-time, parental leave cover position for 6 months, starting in April 2026.
In this dynamic position, you’ll be part of the Advisory Department and will also collaborate closely with other teams, for example, peers in the Science Department. You’ll support highly skilled experts from both the Secretariat and our wider community as you help deliver ICES scientific advisory services.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a varied workday environment, brings a positive, solutions-oriented mindset, and can balance multiple priorities while keeping the big picture in focus. Working with your line manager, team lead, and colleagues, you’ll help ensure our advice is timely, relevant, and grounded in strong evidence.
You’ll also collaborate with Secretariat colleagues and senior ICES leadership to support the ICES Advisory and Science Plans for delivering evidence-based scientific advice to meet conservation, management, and sustainability goals for the North Atlantic in a manner that is credible, relevant, and legitimate.
What we offer
You’ll join us at ICES HQ in in the heart of Copenhagen, where you’ll work alongside leading marine scientists and gain insight into the operations of an intergovernmental organization. Our Secretariat brings together approximately 80 people who represent a wide array of nationalities and backgrounds, and our meeting facilities regularly host experts from our member countries and beyond.
You’ll join a dedicated and supportive team with range of expertise (e.g. marine science, administration, project management) and there is plenty of opportunity for lively discussion, involvement, and room to grow your skills.
Responsibilities
We seek a service-minded colleague to:
Act as key contact to the international ICES network of experts (expert groups, steering groups, and committees) and support advice-related tasks across departments and teams, with a focus on:
support of expert group meetings including planning and communication,
report and advice editing and formatting,
data-entry and quality control, and
cross department linking of ICES groups.
Assist Professional Officers and other Secretariat team members with tasks, primarily drafting of reports and documents and supporting meeting organization
Help develop internal structures facilitating documentation, communication and archiving of information relevant across Advisory and Science work (e.g., Terms of References)
Carry out other relevant ad hoc administration and coordination support, as directed by the Head of the Advice Department, as needed
Qualifications, experience, and personality
To be successful in this role, you should have:
University degree from an accredited educational institution; natural science or administration related is preferred
Strong administrative and organizational skills
Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills
An ability to maintain a good overview of tasks to plan work, but adjust flexibly, to a busy schedule
Extensive experience with editing and formatting text with an eye for detail
Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of applications, specifically Word
Fluency in written and oral English
To find success in our Team, we seek a colleague with the following traits:
Positive, collaborative, and professional attitude
Proactive and inclusive, with a desire to improve ICES systems and culture
In addition, the following qualities are desirable:
General good aptitude to online productivity tools/software
Experience with Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Microsoft Teams desirable
Knowledge of database functionalities
Familiarity with research networks
Terms of appointment
The appointment will be full-time (38 hours per week, including lunch) for 6 months, starting in April 2026.
ICES Secretariat staff enjoy privileges and immunities pursuant to the Host Agreement between the Government of Denmark and ICES. The salaries of ICES staff are exempt from Danish income tax and are based on, but not identical to, the United Nations common salary system. The salary for this role is situated at the “C3” grade. A tax-free pension scheme is available, to which both the employee and ICES contribute.
This role is based at the ICES Secretariat, where regular in‑office presence is key. We also offer flexibility, with the possibility to work from home up to two days a week.
The ICES Staff Rules set out the conditions and principles of employment and the responsibilities of the Secretariat staff.
Applications
When it comes to recruitment and employment of staff at ICES, our goal is securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. ICES is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. ICES welcomes candidates without bias towards gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Members of underrepresented groups in our science network are also encouraged to apply.
If you feel you have the professional and personal qualities and potential we are looking for, please submit your application (CV and cover letter) via Talent Attract using the Apply Now button no later than Sunday 22 February 2026 (23:59 CET).
Interviews with selected candidates will be held in late February/early March. Questions about this vacancy may be directed to HR Officer Rachel West Knudsen.
