Fisheries Specialist for FAO Sri Lanka and the Maldives

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

FAO Sri Lanka and the Maldives 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, nutrition and the well-being of fishing communities; collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up-to-date fishery statistics.

FAO Sri Lanka and the Maldives is also responsible for FAO's activities related to the management and conservation of the living aquatic resources used by fisheries and aquaculture, including biodiversity and ecosystem restoration and protection, 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, nutrition and the well-being of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.

Reporting Lines

The Fisheries Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAOR and under direct technical supervision of AFAOR – Programme and assist both positions by preparing notes, briefing papers, technical briefs, etc based on the current context of both countries.

Technical Focus

Support FAO’s work on development of the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka and develop concept notes for resource mobilization purposes and assist with the formulation of project proposals and project documents. Work to implement FAO’s policies, programmes and field projects aiming at building adaptive capacity to climate change and other external stressors affecting fisheries and aquaculture.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Analyse fisheries policies and programmes of Government of Sri Lanka and Government of Maldives and identify technical and resource gaps, both human and financial which need urgent attention.
• Formulate projects in accordance with FAO’s strategic framework and the FAO project cycle, and the CPF of both countries to address the identified gaps and contribute to FAO’s work related to resource mobilization.
• Coordinate, implement and administrate assigned programmes/projects and/or project components and activities in accordance with FAO rules, procedures and systems, and donor requirements.
• Contribute to relevant studies, publications and analyses, knowledge products and dissemination materials related to FAO’s areas of work, including guidelines, capacity building and training material.
• Assist both FAOR and AFAOR (Programme) in the collaboration work with relevant UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organisations and private sector counter parts, in areas of mutual interest.
• Assist both FAOR and AFAOR (Programme) in preparing for internal and external meetings, in particular those related to the development and implementation of FAO’s programmes/projects.
• Any other duties related to FAO’s areas of work in the sector, as assigned by the FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in fisheries studies.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the design and implementation of development programmes/projects dealing with fisheries and/or aquaculture with a focus on climate change.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• A Sri Lankan national or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point).
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in the field is essential.
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of and in provision of scientific support and advice to national, regional and international fisheries/aquaculture management and conservation bodies.
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of research and/or development programmes in fisheries and/or aquaculture or aquatic environmental management with special emphasis on climate change.
• Depth of knowledge of current global issues related to climate change impacts, disaster risk, adaptation or mitigation, trends, constraints, and research needs related to the management and conservation of aquatic resources and ecosystems.
• Familiarity with resource mobilization processes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing national and international meetings, seminars and training courses.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the main areas of FAO’s work in fisheries and aquaculture.
• Extent of experience in project formulation / project management, including formulation, work planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting.
• Experience in coordinating and liaising with industry, academia, national authorities, UN agencies, donors, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

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