National Fisheries Research Specialist

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, 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.

The European Union (EU) has established the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector (CAPFISH). The overall objective of the CAPFISH Programme is to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in the achievement of its long-term vision of social and economic development, food security and poverty reduction as initiated with the Deep Fisheries Reforms and laid down in the National Strategic Development Plan. The Programme is structured in two components: one on aquaculture (i.e. CAPFISH-Aquaculture, adopted in 2016, EUR 30 million) and one on capture fisheries (i.e. CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries, adopted in 2019, EUR 92.7 million).

The stated objective of the capture fisheries component of the CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme is for Cambodia to have sustainable capture fisheries, contributing to food security and poverty reduction. The CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme comprises three interrelated pillars: 1. fisheries management and conservation; 2. post-harvest and trade; and 3. improvement and diversification of fisheries communities' livelihoods. The CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme functions through direct Budgetary Support to the Royal Government of Cambodia Fisheries Administration (FiA) and by Complementary Support provided through the FAO (fisheries management and conservation pillar), UNIDO (post-harvest and trade pillar) and NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (improvement and diversification of fisheries communities' livelihoods pillar).

This Complementary Support project (i.e. FAO-CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries) supports the fisheries conservation and management pillar within the CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme. The specific outcome that the project will work to achieve within its timeframe and resources is improved capacity to strengthen fisheries management at the community, district/provincial, and national levels.

Reporting Lines

The National Fisheries Research Specialist reports directly to the Chief Technical Advisor (Team Leader), under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia. He/she will work in coordination with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and in close collaboration with the Fisheries Administration team.

Technical Focus

The National Fisheries Research Specialist will provide support to the Fisheries Administration (FiA), the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute (IFReDI) and Marine Fisheries Research and Development Institute (MaFReDI) in the development and implementation of research strategies, organisation of research, and identification of research priorities and strengthening of information management systems.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Fishery Specialist will:

• Work with the project Technical Assistance Team (TAT), FiA and project lead Fisheries Research Specialist to develop and implement an annual integrated workplan aligned to the FiA annual workplan;
• Advise FiA, IFReDI and MaFREDI on the preparation and implementation of their long term Strategic Plans for Fisheries Research to Support Fisheries Management in marine and freshwater fisheries;
• Advise FiA on the development of mechanisms for communicating research results to policy makers and stakeholders at all levels, including through scientific meetings for knowledge exchange;
• Assist FiA on strengthening links with the education sector (Universities) and other research partners;
• Advise FiA on the identification of research priorities for marine and freshwater fisheries;
• Participate actively and support FiA in fisheries research meetings at all levels (prepare presentations and background papers for meetings, support facilitation if required;
• Work closely with the project gender mainstreaming team to assist FiA and stakeholders on integration of gender equality, indigenous people and youth and child labour issues into research and research strategies ;
• Support FiA to create and implement a capacity development strategy for fisheries research and assist in the development of training materials and courses;
• Work with the project communication and visibility expert on the development and dissemination of media and support the identification of good practice and lessons learned in fisheries research;
• Advise FiA on the integration of fisheries research into PDAFF and FiAC planning processes to identify key issues to be addressed by research
• Support the project ‘Provincial Capacity Building Teams” through the provision of training in relation to fisheries research and Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) implementation;
• Support project and FiA monitoring and evaluation activities including the establishment of baselines, progress reporting and work planning;
• Support FiA in the analysis of the current fisheries management information system in Cambodia for marine and inland fisheries; and,
• Carry out any other related duties as required by the FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in either the natural or social sciences including in any of the following fields: fisheries management, aquatic biology or ecology, fisheries or natural resources economics, fisheries technology, social development, fishery law or marine/freshwater affairs, or other fields related to fisheries resources, management and fisheries value chains
• At least five years of relevant experience in fisheries research in Cambodia, providing support to national bodies
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Cambodia

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, particularly in field positions is desirable
• Extent and relevance of experience with marine and freshwater fisheries in particular fisheries research, governance, fisheries habitats, MCS community fisheries
• Familiarity with FAO and EU project procedures is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to build technical capacity of government counterparts and fisheries stakeholders

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.