National Catch and Effort Specialist (SC-9)

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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; the elimination of poverty, advancing economic and social progress for all, as well as the 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 of Bangladesh 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 supply and food security and is central to the livelihoods of millions of fishers and stakeholders along the production 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. Recently the Government has entered into a financing agreement with the World Bank to implement programmes and activities on marine fisheries management, through the Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Management Project (SCMFP) with the objective of increasing coastal and marine fisheries’ contribution to the economy, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability.

Considering the complex nature of the project, and its multifaceted and wide-ranging activities, professionals and contractors from a wide range of expertise in science, information technology, economics, management, social sciences are required. The FAO representation in Bangladesh has therefore been engaged by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) to provide technical support to enhance the Marine Fisheries Information Management System (M-FIMS) which relate to three closely linked packages entitled:

1. Design of Catch and Effort Monitoring Systems and Online Electronic Registration and Licensing System.

2. Capacity Enhancement and Long-term Quality Assurance for Stock Assessment and Survey.

3. Support to Acoustic and Oceanographic Survey in Bangladesh Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The two Technical Assistance packages on Design of Catch and Effort Monitoring Systems and Online Electronic Registration and Licensing System, and the Capacity Enhancement and Long-term Quality Assurance for Stock Assessment and Survey and have already been signed between the FAO and the Government of Bangladesh, while the Technical Assistance package on Support to Acoustic and Oceanographic Survey in Bangladesh Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is under discussion.

Reporting Lines

The National Catch and Effort Specialist will work under the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, under the technical supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative, the Fisheries Portfolio Manager and the National Operations Officer and in will work in consultation and collaboration with the SCMFP Unit, Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Technical Focus

The National Catch and Effort Specialist will ensure that best practices and approaches are reflected in the design, implementation and monitoring of Technical Assistance related to the design the Catch and Effort Monitoring Systems, and capacity building on DoF maintaining the systems and undertaken Catch and Effort assessment.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Catch and Effort Specialist main tasks include the following, but other related works may be assigned:

• Contribute to the preparation a detailed work plan for implementation of Design of Catch and Effort Monitoring Systems, Online Electronic Registration and Licensing System Technical Assistant package.
• Assist to facilitate consultations with DoF and other relevant stakeholders to identify institutional capacities and data needs for catch and effort monitoring systems
• Contribute to review existing functional specifications of catch and effort monitoring system for completeness and compatibility with the M-FIMS conceptual structure.
• Support the review of data and information needs for catch and monitoring system and stock assessment
• Contribute to review existing, adaptable systems globally, global standards, Government of Bangladesh data policies and standards on catch and monitoring.
• Participate in reviewing and specifications of suitable software tools, platforms, and frameworks for the development of the Catch and Effort and stock assessment modules to ensure integration and coherence with M- FIMS.
• Support SCMFP staff with the development of marine fisheries catch-and-effort data collection and management system and its implementation.
• Submit end of assignment report highlighting task undertaken and progress achieved as mentioned above.
• Develop training modules and train DoF staff on managing, curating, summarizing and publishing fisheries statistics and mandated public fisheries information

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Statistics, Fisheries or Environmental sciences.
• At least seven (7) experience fisheries monitoring, data management and fisheries management roles and systems in developing countries and developed countries.
• Experience in preparation of technical documents on fisheries monitoring, management and statistical systems at national level
• National of Bangladesh or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

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FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of marine fisheries related sectors in Bangladesh.
• Work experience in systems development for fisheries monitoring, management or scientific research will have an added advantage.
• Experience in managing software systems development for large-scale data collection systems.
• Good interpersonal skills and experience working with government officials.
• Adaptable to multicultural and multidisciplinary team of experts and willing to undertake intensive field works
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Bangla

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