National Fisheries Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a technical, knowledge-based organization aimed at moving forward policy dialogues and advocating for the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; elimination of poverty, advancing economic and social progress for all, as well as sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate, and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

FAO Bangladesh assists the Government to formulate policies, programmes, and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. The fisheries sector is vital for Bangladesh’s food security and is source of the livelihoods to millions of fishers and stakeholders along the fisheries value chain. The sector has emerged as a major growth driver, contributing close to 4 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the last decade, employing around 11 percent of the population and contributes up to 60 percent of animal protein uptake.

Currently the FAO is supporting the Government of Bangladesh and stakeholders in the fisheries sector in a number of areas and through a number of programmes. One area of concern is rapid changes in landuse occurring close to river bodies, which has negatively affected inland capture fisheries through encroachment of fish habitat and breeding areas, cutting off of river flow due to construction of incompatible fishery water related infrastructures, degradation of water quality due to poor waste management from industries, agriculture, and households. Following a request from the Government of Bangladesh, FAO will offer technical support, through the Technical Cooperation Project Facility (TCPf) in assessing landuse change impact on the fishery ecosystem and diversity in the three main river basins in Bangladesh (Meghna, Jamuna, and Padma) and provide specific policy recommendations to sustainably integrate landuse planning, using landscape approach for sustainable fisheries management.

FAO Bangladesh is therefore seeking the services of a National Fisheries Specialist to coordinate the Technical Cooperation Project Facility (TCPf) in consultation with main stakeholders and supervise the service provider, who will undertake the assessment study. The main stakeholders in the study include Department of Fisheries (DoF), Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Department of Environment (DoE) and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at the FAO Regional Office (RAP), the Senior Technical Advisor (STA), the Assistant FAO Representative (Programs) and the National Operations Officer, and in close consultation with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and other stakeholders.

Technical Focus

The National Fisheries Specialist will support the management to establish strong communication among the stakeholders and supervise the service provider undertaking the assessment of Landuse change impact on the fishery ecosystem and diversity in the three main river basins in Bangladesh, with the aim of providing specific policy recommendations to sustainably integrate landuse planning, using landscape approach for sustainable fisheries management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the management to liaison among the stakeholders.
• Supervise service provider in field data collection and ensure adherence to approved study analytical framework, methodological approaches, and tools.
• Supervise service provider and ensure timely deliverable of outputs, including reviewing the deliverables of LoA;
• Provide support to organize technical workshops and meetings and prepare related reports.
• Participate in similar project activities and report back to FAO country office.
• Prepare progress reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) as required.
• Undertake any other task assigned by the FAO Representative.
• Prepare and submit an end of assignment report, highlighting tasks undertaken and progress achieved as mentioned above.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of master’s degree related to fisheries and aquaculture.
• At least 10 ( Ten ) years of experience in the specified field
• Working knowledge of English and fluency in Bangla.
• National of Bangladesh or a resident with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in understanding of the technical aspects of inland fisheries management systems, methods and tools related to ecosystem and biodiversity.
• Experience in undertaking landuse impact assessment on fisheries sector.
• Experience in coordination studies among different stakeholders, including formulating policy briefs and recommendations.
• Excellent communication, writing skills and effective oral presentations.