Fishery Officer (GFCM Subregional Coordinator for the Central Mediterranean)

Organizational Setting

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The main objective of the GFCM is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. To this end, the GFCM formulates and recommends appropriate measures for the conservation and rational management of living marine resources and ensures these recommendations are implemented; constantly reviews the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry, recommending specific measures in connection with its development; promotes and carries out training, research and development activities, in addition to cooperation and technical assistance in fisheries-related fields; collects, publishes and disseminates information on exploitable living marine resources and on fisheries exploiting these resources; and promotes programmes for marine and coastal fisheries enhancement.

The post is located in the GFCM Central Mediterranean Technical Unit of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) in Tunis, Tunisia.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer (GFCM Subregional Coordinator for the Central Mediterranean) reports to the GFCM Executive Secretary and the GFCM Senior Fishery Officer and will closely collaborate with relevant staff in the GFCM Secretariat, both at GFCM in Rome, Italy and in other subregional technical units, transversally. S/he supervises a team of specialists dedicated to the implementation of the GFCM workplan in the central Mediterranean subregion.

Technical Focus

The Fishery Officer (GFCM Subregional Coordinator for the Central Mediterranean) supports and participates in the implementation of policies and work programmes, at subregional level, related to the provision of scientific advice to the GFCM on all topics of relevance for the sustainable management of fisheries and including status of living resources, habitats and ecosystems, social and economic characteristics of fisheries and potential management measures. S/he liaises with experts and representatives of relevant administrations towards the efficient implementation of above mentioned policies and work programmes. The Fishery Officer (GFCM Subregional Coordinator for the Central Mediterranean) plays a role in enhancing the quality of scientific advice on fisheries, through technical expertise and the promotion of the GFCM subregional approach to fisheries management and the use of innovative methodologies and tools towards meeting the requirements of advisory bodies. The incumbent swork contributes to the successful achievement of the Commission's mandate.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Researches, analyses and provides access to fisheries and aquaculture technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related data, and information and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of fisheries and aquaculture programmes, projects, products, publications and services.

• Produces a variety of technical data, statistics, information and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.

• Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and initiatives, and/or assessments; provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Participate in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/economic/environmental/nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.

• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other centres/divisions/offices and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members, such as organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.

• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.

• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc., to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/ advice and expertise.

• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects, mainly in the context of MedSea4Fish.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, online tools.

• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy and implementation of their programmes.

• Contributes to the preparation and implementation of the GFCM work programme in the subregion, in particular that of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC), as well as implement relevant cooperative projects in the area, towards the formulation of scientific and technical advice to the GFCM on issues related to fisheries management.

• Provides technical support to the work of the SAC, and in particular its subregional committee for the Central Mediterranean. This includes the preparation of technical background documentation, the development and maintenance of technical networks with scientific institutions, relevant partners and experts, organization of training and capacity building activities addressing expert's needs, and the preparation, holding and follow-up of the meetings.

• Ensures the compilation of concise and comprehensive technical elements in support of the advice on the status of stocks and potential management measures for fisheries in the Central Mediterranean, as emanating from relevant expert meetings and in support of the discussion at the SAC and the Commission.

• Contributes to analysing and contrasting information on Mediterranean fisheries as received by the GFCM Secretariat and producing comprehensive reports on the state of fisheries and marine ecosystems in the Central Mediterranean.

• Coordinates the activities of the GFCM Central Mediterranean Technical Unit, including liaison with subregional experts and relevant administrations.

• Actively supports the implementation of the MedSea4Fish programme at the subregional level.

• Represents the Organization at relevant international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.

• Performs other related duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in fishery science, marine sciences or related discipline.

• Five years of relevant experience in the Mediterranean region, including in the elaboration and implementation of analyses and measures for the management of fisheries, particularly in interaction with relevant international organizations.

• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).'

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Team Work

• Communication

• Building effective relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

• Extent and relevance of experience of technical work in support to fisheries management, including on data collection and monitoring of commercial stocks, vulnerable marine species, habitats and ecosystems, as well as the use of marine spatial planning.

• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in relation to the management of fisheries within Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and/or in other relevant organizations, is considered a strong asset.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and organization of technical meetings, field work and stakeholder consultations on matters related to fisheries.

• Demonstrated ability in the preparation and revision of technical documents and reports.

• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French and/or Arabic is an asset.