Fisheries management and assessment specialist

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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Organizational Setting

The FAO Fisheries Division (NFI) promotes policies and strategies aiming at the sustainable and responsible management and development of fisheries and aquaculture in inland and marine waters. For this purpose, the Division provides discussion fora, information, legal and policy frameworks, codes and guidelines, options for strategies, scientific advice, practical tools, technical support, and training material, among others.

The Assessment and Management Team (NFIFM) is responsible for all programmes and activities related to Assessment and Management of fisheries and conservation of fishery resources, including all aspects of Fisheries Management and Assessment related to the social, economic and ecological dimensions in the framework of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. The Team: 1) provides information, advice and technical assistance to FAO Members and Regional Fisheries Bodies and Arrangements on Fisheries Management and Assessment in support of sustainable marine and inland fisheries in the context of the contribution of capture fisheries to food and nutrition security and livelihoods globally, including: collection, management and analysis of data; assessment of fisheries and fish stocks; fisheries management policies and institutions; development, implementation and adaptation of fisheries management plans, international agreements, and best practices for responsible fisheries; 2) promotes and supports the development, dissemination and adoption of tools, methods and approaches to facilitate the management, monitoring and assessment of fisheries, including in data- and capacity-poor contexts; 3) monitors the global status and trends of fish stocks and fisheries; 4) supports the monitoring of the relevant SDG indicators; 5) supports and promotes cooperation and coordination with other institutions and programmes in and outside FAO, both governmental and non-governmental, concerned with responsible fisheries; and 6) provides technical advice and information on the availability and role of processes and tools for fisheries governance and management in ocean governance and relevant multi-lateral environmental agreements (e.g., Convention on Biological Diversity).

International consultants and PSAs represent an important source of expertise for FAO, making their specialist contributions towards the achievement of the Organization’s strategic objectives indispensable. For FAO to be able to attract and employ the best possible experts in the wide range of technical areas of its mandate, a competitive selection process has been introduced. This process is intended to create a pool of candidates which can be called upon when their expertise is required, ensuring a transparent and rigorous selection process.

Reporting Lines

The Consultants/PSA Subscribers will work under the overall supervision of the NFI Division Director and the direct supervision of a relevant Officer of one of the Teams.

Technical Focus

The Consultant or PSA Subscriber will work as part of a closely collaborating team to conduct activities, research, analyses and development on issues related to the assessment and management of marine and/or inland fisheries in the social, economic and/or ecological dimensions of fisheries assessment of fish stocks and project management. This work may require some specialization in the one or more of the following areas of NFIFM work:

• Monitoring and assessment of fisheries and fish stocks, including the design and conduct of scientific research surveys and monitoring programmes;
• Collection, management and analysis of data for monitoring and assessment of the social, economic and ecological dimensions of fisheries, or of the health of fish stocks and ecosystems;
• Fisheries management, including the association with the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), tools like rights-based approaches, and area-based management measures;
• Fisheries research, covering all three dimensions (Ecological/Biological, Social, Economic) of fisheries;
• Contribution of area-based fisheries management measures and other sustainable use practices in non-fisheries specific arenas (e.g., Convention on Biological Diversity);
• Capacity Development (CD), including development or delivery of trainings, courses and educational materials as well as provision of advice on institutional capacity;
• Management and operation of projects/Programmes;
• Communications and information/knowledge management.

Tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of each selected Consultant will be defined in the Terms of Reference for the specific assignment. In general, assigned tasks and responsibilities will normally include one or more of the following elements depending on the assignment and the expertise of the Consultant:

• Formulate Projects in accordance with FAO’s strategic framework and the FAO project cycle;
• Coordinate, implement and manage assigned programmes/projects and/or project component and activities in accordance with FAO rules, procedures and systems, and donors requirements;
• Organize and participate in field missions and other events in support of the delivery of NFI’s programme of work, including for consultation, training, capacity building and technical assistance to beneficiaries of FAO support programmes and projects;
• Lead or contribute to relevant studies, publications and analyses, knowledge products and dissemination materials related to NFI’s areas of work, including the development and implementation of guidelines, guidance, tools, capacity development and training materials, or similar products;
• Contribute to NFI’s work related to resource mobilization, monitoring of implementation of activities and projects, and organization of international meetings;
• Lead or contribute to the development of technical tools in support of fisheries management and assessment, or of the assessment of fish stocks or aquatic systems;
• Collect, manage, collate and analyse data related to fisheries management and assessment, assessment of fish stocks or aquatic system, or assessment of different management measures on non-fisheries processes and of the status of fish stocks;
• Collaborate within NFI’s remit with the various Teams and whenever required other Divisions, including providing assistance to countries and partners in responding to emergencies involving the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
• Collaborate with relevant UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organisations, in areas of mutual interest.
• Represent NFI in internal and external meetings, in particular those related to the development and implementation of NFI-led programmes/projects (only for consultants).
• Any other duty related to NFI’s areas of work and to specific assignments.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (for Consultants) / Relevant educational background (for PSA) in fisheries, economics, biological sciences, oceanography and limnology, development, communications, information management/technology, data or computer science, management/business administration or other field relevant to NFIFM work.
• Relevant experience in the field of management and assessment of fisheries or assessment of fish stocks/aquatic systems, or in other areas related to support to NFIFM work
  • For PSA or base-level consultants (C level): 1 to 4 years of relevant experience
  • For middle-level consultants (B level): at least 5 years of relevant experience
  • For senior level consultants (A level): at least 12 years of relevant experience
• Working knowledge of either English, French or Spanish is required. Limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for Consultants). Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish for PSAs.

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 the field is desired.
• Relevant experience on or knowledge of provision of scientific support and advice to national, regional and international fisheries management and research institutions, as well as conservation organizations, in both developed and developing countries.
• Relevant experience in planning and implementation of research and/or development programmes in fisheries and/or aquaculture or aquatic environmental management with special emphasis on fisheries management and assessment
• Relevant experience in training and capacity development
• Adequate level of knowledge of current global issues, as well as trends, constraints, and research needs related to fisheries management and assessment, or assessment of fish stocks and aquatic systems, in marine and inland systems;
• Relevant experience in the analysis and assessment of fisheries for management advice in the context of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, including the use of rights-based approaches, and area-based fisheries management tools.
• Familiarity with resource mobilization processes, including experience in negotiations with other international organisations;
• Familiarity and experience with policies, mechanisms and requirements of the UN system and donors’ community;
• Relevant experience in providing programmatic support services such as in communication, information/knowledge management, information and communication technologies or other relevant technical support areas.
• Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point).

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the main areas of work of NFIFM;
• Extent and relevance of experience in training and capacity development;
• Extent and relevance of experience in technical support areas of relevance to the work of NFIFM;
• Extent and relevance of experience in working and negotiating in multi-cultural environments, or with people of different cultural matrices;
• Extent and relevance of experience in development and/or management and/or support of projects and Programmes, including formulation, work planning, budgeting, implementation, reporting, communication and information/knowledge management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating and liaising with industry, academia, national authorities, UN agencies, donors, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
• Extent and relevance of experience living and working in specific conditions for the implementation of field projects;

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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

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