Issue date: 03 January 2024
UPDATE (20 March 2024) The following candidates have been selected:
| Rank | First Name | Last Name | Sex | Country | Country Class. |
| First-ranked candidates | |||||
| 1 | Bharath | Ammanabrolu | Male | India | |
| 2 | Janice | Angengo | Female | Kenya | |
| 3 | Mpho | Sehlabo | Female | South Africa | |
| 4 | Abbie | Allela | Female | Kenya | |
| Reserve or Alternate Candidates | |||||
| R1 | Ana | Vasquez | Female | Costa Rica | |
| R2 | Asmaa | Ferikh | Female | Egypt | |
| R3 | Fahima | Bellabad | Female | Algeria | |
| R4 | Brian | Lynch | Male | Jamaica | SIDS |
In accordance with its contract for exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, signed with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on 19 April 2014, China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association (COMRA) is offering four (4) At-sea training opportunities to candidates from developing States in 2024.
OUTLINE
This training is being organized and implemented by COMRA. It is designed to provide participants with practical knowledge relating to the exploration of cobalt-rich crusts resources. This includes geological and biological sampling, geophysical surveys, environmental baseline data collection and relevant handling skills on deck.
DURATION
The at-sea training will be done during a research cruise in the western Pacific Ocean from July to October 2024 for approximately 40 days. The exact dates will be communicated to the trainees with due prior notice given, once finalized.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be considered for this programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Education: at least a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent education, in marine geology, marine geophysics, or marine environment (including biology or ecology).
- Work Experience: at least one year working experience in a relevant field. Experience in offshore work is advantageous.
- Language: Proficient in English (spoken and written).
- Health: In good health
- Age: Under 45 years old
- Skills: Good research and/or management skills
- Other: National of a developing country that is a Member State of the International Seabed Authority.
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
In addition to the costs directly for training, COMRA will cover all costs related to:
- Visas to enter/travel to the country of port.
- Transportation inclusive of round-trip international airfare (economy class)
- Food and accommodation onboard and on land
- Personal accident insurance.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The selected trainees will be required to obtain health certificates from a medical institution confirming that they are in good health and fit to work at-sea, prior to embarking on the training.
Trainees will also be required to sign the ISA Contractors’ Training Programme General Guidance and Code of Conduct for Trainees prior to the start of the training, and a confidentiality agreement with COMRA.
At the end of the training, trainees must submit a report to COMRA and ISA outlining the training completed; the benefits of the training opportunity; the knowledge gained; and how the training will advance their career and/or educational pursuits.
Trainees who have successfully completed their training will receive certificates.
HOW TO APPLY:
All interested applicants are invited to register and submit their applications on the ISA CTP Application Portal, along with their supporting documents, including:
- A coloured passport sized photo
- A copy of their passport biographical page or national identification card.
- Signed nomination form [doc/pdf] by the nominating entity.
- Copy of degree and/or certificate
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of English.
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity on the Application Portal:
Contractor Name: China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association (COMRA)/CFC
Year: 2024
Programme Name: At-sea training
Application Deadline: 23 February 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
One of the Voluntary Commitments registered by ISA at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference (#OceanAction 40768) and reiterated in 2022 was ‘Enhancing the role of Women in Marine Scientific Research through Capacity Building’ – As partner of the Women in Deep-Sea Research project (WIDSR), COMRA has pledged to allocate 50% of its training opportunities to qualified women applicants.