COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS SPECIALIST

Organizational Setting

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

Reporting Lines

The Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Specialist reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).

Technical Focus

The Philippines is among the countries implementing the global project “Responsible use of fisheries and aquaculture resources for sustainable development” (GCP/GLO/352/NOR) which aims to contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of fisheries resources, amidst the pressure from the combined effects of overfishing practices, including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, pollution and ocean acidification. It contributes to the project’s Component 2 (Assist partner countries and key stakeholders to adapt to climate change effectively and secure sustainable socio-economic development) where in countries previously supported by GCP/GLO/959/NOR “Support member countries implement climate change adaptation measures in fisheries and aquaculture” are supported in their additional needs.

The project is continuing its support to the Philippines’ Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 4 supervised by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region IX. It aims to carry forward the local adoption and implementation of the Small Pelagic Fisheries Management Plan (SPFMP) & Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Restoration Plan (CMERP) for Zamboanga del Norte.

Tasks and responsibilities

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Specialist will supportthe project activities as part of the implementation of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Restoration Plan (CMERP) for Zamboanga del Norte (ZDN). She/he will carry out the following tasks:

• Contribute to the coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), and city/municipal ENROs, on joint or collaborative activities in ZDN; • Prepare the training design/concept note and programs/agenda, and support the conduct of for capacity-building activities related to MPA Management Planning, Coastal resource assessment, Coastal Resource Management (CRM), ecosystems restoration / rehabilitation strategies; • Coordinate with partners and/or service providers and facilitate the assessment of marine and coastal resources for selected ZDN coastal municipalities; • Coordinate and oversee the establishment of site-based mangrove nursery, assisting in the technical design and approval, and procurement actions for materials; • Prepare presentation materials for and attend meetings related to the technical assignment; • Support the documentation of lessons learned and perspectives from the field; • Perform other tasks relevant to the technical specialization as deemed necessary by the project and FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• The candidate must have an advanced university degree in fisheries, environmental science, environmental management, development studies, social science, or related fields; • At least seven (7) years of work experience in environmental project or development projects related to the environment; • Working knowledge of English; • A national of the Philippines or resident in the Philippines with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point). • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English • Familiarity with FAO operational procedures is an advantage • In line with FAO policy, commitment to placing accountability to people affected by disaster framework at the core of FAO’s emergency policy and practice, from preparedness up to the onset of an emergency in all phases of the programme cycle