Senior Fishery Officer (IOTC Science Manager)

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries Division (NFI) is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO's activities related to fisheries and aquaculture and their development, with particular emphasis on human well-being, food security and poverty reduction; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and well-being of fishing communities; collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up-to-date fishery statistics and for the dissemination of FAO's information on all aspects of world fisheries and aquaculture. The Division is also responsible for FAO's activities related to the management and conservation of the living aquatic resources used by fisheries and aquaculture, including the biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance, with particular emphasis on most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats; management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices; development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and well-being of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established in 1993 under the provisions of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The IOTC's objective is to promote cooperation among the Contracting Parties (Members) and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties of the IOTC with a view to ensuring, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilization of stocks covered by the organization's establishing Agreement and encouraging sustainable development of fisheries based on such. The IOTC implements its policy and activities through its secretariat, based in Seychelles.

The Commission has four key science based functions and responsibilities which enable it to achieve its objectives. Briefly these include: reviewing the status of the stocks and to gather, analyze and disseminate scientific information (including catch and effort statistics and other relevant data); supporting research and development activities in respect of the stocks and fisheries covered by the IOTC; adopting, on the basis of scientific evidence, Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) to ensure the conservation of the stocks covered by the Agreement; and reviewing the economic and social aspects of the fisheries based on the stocks covered by the Agreement.

The position is located in the IOTC in Victoria, Seychelles.

Reporting Lines The Senior Fishery Officer (IOTC Science Manager) reports to the IOTC Executive Secretary.

Technical Focus Tuna fisheries science and stock assessment; pelagic ecosystems; project management. The Senior Fishery Officer (IOTC Science Manager) is tasked with ensuring that the science needs of the Commission are delivered. He/she works in close cooperation with the Chairs of the IOTC Scientific Committee and its working groups on scientific and data matters of the Commission.

Key Results Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes of work, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions • Plans, manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams; leads, coordinates and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies. • Analyses global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Framework, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies. • Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence-based strategies and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks. • Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services. • Provides technical and policy advice to Members and technical support to decentralized offices in the development and implementation of their programmes. • Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities with Members, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning and on-line tools. • Represents the Organization at 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. • Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions • Leads and supervises the scientific work of the IOTC Secretariat and provide guidance and technical support to the IOTC science staff. • Oversees and participates in the Secretariat's activities associated with IOTC scientific meetings. • Provides support to Chair of the Scientific Committee in the development and implementation of a Strategic Plan for the Scientific Committee. • Plans and provides oversight for research programmes approved by the Commission. • Provides advice to the Executive Secretary on all science related matters. • Participates in the strategic planning of all IOTC's Secretariat activities. • Liaises with the IOTC Secretariat's data group to ensure the timely availability of data required for science processes. • Enhances the IOTCs fisheries scientific reputation through effective leadership, evolving process improvements and using innovative approaches to meeting fisheries scientific output. • Maintains domestic and international situational awareness of the fisheries scientific research and fisheries management environment through continuous environmental scanning.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in fisheries science or related field. • Ten years of relevant experience in undertaking and/or managing fisheries science, including complex multi-country projects. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies • Results Focus • Leading, Engaging and Empowering • Communication • Partnering and Advocating • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement • Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions. • Knowledge of the role and work of international fisheries organizations. • Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of programmes related to fisheries science and the delivery of technical advice to resource managers. • Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French is considered an asset.