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 Adam Purnomo Male Indonesia
2 Gabriela Alvarez Female Panama
Reserve or Alternate Candidates
R1 Henry Okonkwo Male Nigeria

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 two (2) engineering training opportunities to candidates from developing States in 2024.

OUTLINE

This engineering training has been designed to provide trainees with knowledge and skills in deep-sea cobalt-rich crusts exploration, environmental assessment, metallurgical processing, mining technology, and more.

At the end of the training, trainees should have:

  • Have a good understanding of laws and policies governing the international seabed area, the deep-sea environment and ecology.
  • Increased awareness of deep-sea technologies and the application of these equipment
  • Exposure and practical knowledge in resources exploration and exploitation, and equipment application in deep sea area.

DURATION

The training will be done in Qingdao, China from May to June 2024 for approximately one (1) month. The exact dates will be determined and later communicated to the trainees with due prior notice.

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, marine environment (including biology or ecology), or marine technology and equipment.
  • Work Experience: at least one year working experience in a relevant field.
  • 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 China
  • Transportation inclusive of round-trip international airfare (economy class)
  • Food and accommodation in China
  • 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, 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: Engineering

 

Application Deadline: 12 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.