International Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Lake Tanganyika is the second largest freshwater fishery in the African continent, with an annual fish production potential of the four countries bordering the lake estimated (in the 1990s) between 165,000 and 200,000 metric tons. In 2011, the total annual fish production from the lake was estimated between 110 and 120,000 tones. This reduction in the catch is considered to be due to a doubling of the fishing intensity in the four countries around the lake. The current catch is estimated at less than 100,000 tones.

The project aims at improving the management of the lake from regional to grassroots level, while solving some major issues pertaining to the current overexploitation of its most valuable resources. The overall objective of the project is to enhance equitable economic growth by promoting sustainable fisheries in Lake Tanganyika. The specific objectives of the projects are 1) to enhance regional policies and institutional frameworks securing more sustainable fisheries management and 2) to develop regional action plans to deter and eliminate Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing. The project will be implemented by FAO in collaboration with Lake Tanganyika Authority as the implementing partner. Stakeholders of LTA around the lake, such as national fisheries institutions, research centers and local authorities will also be partners in delivering activities under the project.

The position is based in Bujumbura.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Specialist reports directly to the FAO Representative for Burundi. He or she will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative for Burundi and in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and Administrative Units, in consultation with the relevant Technical Units and Cooperate Services at FAO headquarters, RAF and SFE, respectively.

Technical Focus

• Research and analyse technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services;
• Produce a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages;
• Provide technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects;
• Collaborate in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases;
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams, and/or lead working groups/teams collaborate with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;
• Collaborate in, provide technical backstopping to and ensure the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, online tools;
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations;
• Support resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
• Specific Functions
• Contribute to the comprehensive review of situation analysis for research and extension services for smallholders to provide strategic guidance to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in beneficiary member countries;
• Provide technical advices as well as expertise to fisheries systems development technical project groups;
• Create a project management calendar for fulfilling each goal and objective;
• Participate in the designing and implementation of smallholder needs-based programmes for rural agriculture research, extension and advisory services for the project target commodities;
• Support the establishment of smallholders' extension and applied research centres for the project target commodities;
• Participate in the designs of blueprint/guideline for the establishment of extension model for the project target commodities;
• Formulate and implement producers' needs-based extension programs and prepares extension/training/communication material for the project target commodities;
• Participate in the designing and implementation of an extension programme to support the implementation of the sustainable community-based natural resources management and promotes best management practices;
• Support the development and dissemination of information and knowledge on products for fisheries.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct and coordinate the operational activities planned under the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Management (LATAFIMA) project.
• Monitor, coordinate and supervise all technical activities carried out by the implementing partners, the project technical assistant, staff and consultants of the fisheries and studies components.
• Act as the project focal point in the capital Bujumbura and ensure good relations with the LTA, the donor, local institutions and other national and regional projects.
• Coordinate stakeholder awareness campaigns on the sustainable management of the resources of Lake Tanganyika, in consultation with the ALT, local authorities and fishing communities.
• Ensure the regular scheduling of steering committees and repair the necessary documentation for the various meetings;
• Ensure the follow-up of the implementation of the recommendations of the Steering Committees;
• Ensure the regularity of reporting as provided for in the contract signed with the donor.
• Quality control (Checking the consistency and compliance with the procedures in force) of the contractual documents before submitting them for signature for validation by the AFAOR Programme, the finance department before transmission to the FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in fisheries biology or any related discipline
• 7 years of relevant experience in fisheries projects
• Working knowledge of both English and French

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of experience in monitoring activities to combat Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting framework surveys, supervising fisheries co-management institutions and monitoring control and surveillance activities would be an additional asset.
• Familiarity with East Africa/ Great Lakes region is a considered advantage.