Fishery Officer (Scientific Monitoring)

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; promotes programmes for marine and coastal fisheries enhancement. To further support these endeavors, the GFCM adopted the GFCM 2030 Strategy towards the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries as a regional reply to the objectives enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the FAO Strategic Objective 2, in order to ensure that the alarming trend in the status of commercially exploited fish stocks is reversed by means of the five targets relating to i) Fisheries and ecosystems: healthy seas and productive fisheries; ii) Compliance and enforcement: a level playing field to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; iii)Aquaculture: a sustainable and resilient sector growing to its full potential; iv) Livelihoods: decent employment and engaged fishers towards profitable fisheries; and v) Capacity development: technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and efficient partnerships in a subregional perspective.

The post is located at the GFCM Headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, Rome, Italy).

Reporting Lines The Fishery Officer (Scientific Monitoring) reports to the GFCM Senior Fishery Officer and maintains regular contact with the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO Regional Offices and Country Offices in the GFCM area of application, as well as with GFCM Members, observers and partner organizations.

Technical Focus Support to and participation in the implementation of policies and work programmes related to the scientific monitoring of resources, the development and integration of new methodologies for data collection and analysis, the provision of scientific advice on issues related to the status of resources, vulnerable marine ecosystems and species, and technical assistance to Mediterranean and Black Sea countries.

Key Results Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key 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 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.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and online tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

• Compiles relevant existing information and oversees a variety of processes for the collection of fisheries dependent and independent data, in line with standard methodologies that s/he establishes or updates, to support the provision of scientific and management advice on the status of resources, vulnerable marine ecosystems and species.
• Plans, implements and monitors field data collection work for fisheries dependent and independent data, including but not limited to surveys-at-sea and monitoring programmes for bycatch and interactions with vulnerable species.
• Plans, implements and monitors actions towards the improvement of selectivity and/or efficiency of fishing gears, including through piloting new technologies and mitigation measures.
• Provides advice and technical guidance and assistance to GFCM Members and partners, national institutes, experts and fishers on aspects related to the scientific monitoring of fishery resources and of the marine environment and ecosystems, including through dedicated training and capacity development activities.
• Contributes to the preparation and implementation of work programmes of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC), including its subregional committees, and of the Working Group on the Black Sea (WGBS) towards the collection and analysis of data object of monitoring.
• Ensures technical consistency in the planning and execution of activities pertaining to the GFCM 2030 Strategy, in particular in relation to its targets 1, 4 and 5, and ensures integration of activities between the work plans of the SAC and WGBS and the GFCM 2030 Strategy, including by operating in the frame of the MedSea4Fish and BlackSea4Fish projects and furthering their objectives at the national and subregional levels.
• Ensures the compilation of concise and comprehensive technical reports emanating from scientific monitoring activities, including on the distribution of main priority species and vulnerable species as well as other information gathered through these activities, such as the distribution of marine litter.
• Leads and/or participates and/or provides specialized expertise in planning and holding of expert meetings, working groups and strategic events related to scientific issues of relevance to the GFCM, in particular on the monitoring of resources and the marine environment and ecosystems.
• Organizes, promotes and participates, as appropriate, in activities carried out under the general framework of the GFCM and its subsidiary bodies, as well as other partner organizations, in relation to the monitoring of fishing activities and the analysis of fisheries dependent and fisheries independent information on fisheries and ecosystems.
• Performs other related duties as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in marine biology, biological sciences, marine sciences, environmental sciences or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in fishery resources monitoring, in the field of fisheries statistics, in management of fisheries data, or related field, including in the context of 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 in scientific/technical work related to the designing and implementing, at national and/or international level, of monitoring programmes involving a variety of resources and stakeholders.
• Extent and relevance of experience in standardizing practices in fisheries data collection.
• Extent and relevance of experience in analysing and effectively reporting on fisheries information and data.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge or experience in the formulation of advice within Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and/or in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
• Ability to implement project/programmes components for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans.