Fishery Officer

Job title:

Fishery Officer

Company:

FAO

Job description

Organizational Setting
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) works with Members and partners to transform aquatic systems and promote the responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Leaving no one behind.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. Its main objective is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best use of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
To this end, the GFCM adopts binding recommendations and other resolutions and ensures these decisions are implemented. The GFCM decision-making process is based on the work of several subsidiary bodies, which lead advisory processes that start with field monitoring and data collection and culminate in the formulation of appropriate management and conservation measures. In line with its mandate and main strategic priorities agreed by its contracting parties, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the FAO Four Betters, the GFCM focuses on i) Fisheries and ecosystems: healthy seas and productive fisheries; ii) Compliance and enforcement: a level playing field to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; iii) Aquaculture: a sustainable and resilient sector growing to its full potential; iv) Livelihoods: decent employment and engaged fishers towards profitable fisheries; and v) Capacity development: technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and efficient partnerships in a subregional perspective.
To support these endeavours, the GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team is inter alia responsible for the assessment and monitoring of all compliance related data and information annually collected from GFCM Contracting Parties and cooperating non-Contracting Parties, as well as for the processing and analysis of such data and information. The annual assessment and monitoring of compliance is instrumental to the evaluation of performance at the country level that is overseen by the GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team in close coordination and liaison with national focal points. Furthermore, the GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team is tasked to promote cooperation, including with other RFMOs, in matters of common interest in relation to specific sets of compliance data and information, such as information required for the compilation and update of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) lists.
The post is located in the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193, Rome).Reporting Lines
The Fishery Officer reports to the GFCM Executive Secretary and collaborates with relevant staff in the GFCM Secretariat, both at the GFCM office in Rome, Italy and in the subregional technical units, transversally. S/he leads the GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team.Technical Focus
Support the full compliance with GFCM policies by Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) related to decisions adopted, in accordance with i) the mandate of the GFCM and its Compliance Committee; ii) Targets 2 and 5 of the GFCM 2030Strategy; iii) select objectives in Ministerial Declarations in place and; iv) relevant policy instruments and working relationships with relevant organizations and stakeholders.Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides specialized expertise in technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals, as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Oversees, in coordination with the Executive Secretary, the work of the Compliance Committee, including i) the monitoring and assessment of compliance by GFCM CPCs with existing recommendations, ii) the strengthening of regional, subregional and national data reporting frameworks, specifically those of relevance to GFCM management plans, and iii) the provision of technical assistance to CPCs to address lack of compliance.
• Leads the GFCM Compliance Team and periodically liaises with relevant GFCM Secretariat staff, in particular the team leaders of the Fisheries and Aquaculture teams on matters of common interest to the Compliance Committee and the Scientific Advisory committees for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
• Participates in the strategic planning of GFCM activities, and specifically in preparing, reviewing and implementing the workplan of the Compliance Committee, as approved by the Commission and carried out during the inter-session.
• Provides compliance-related advice to the Executive Secretary, including in relation to relevant national, regional and international priorities and needs relating to compliance or lack thereof, as well as in relation to the application of tools and tables for the assessment, monitoring and strengthening of compliance based on GFCM recommendations. Specifically, provides advice on compliance matters stemming from the implementation of GFCM joint inspection schemes, including in relation to the conduct of inspections as well as the application of monitoring, control and surveillance standards at the national level.
• Assists national focal points involved in the activities of the Compliance Committee, with particular regard to the implementation of activities associated with the fight against IUU fishing and the modular implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance, as well as in relation to the annual assessment of compliance by the Compliance Committee and the provision of technical assistance on topics such as monitoring, control and surveillance technology, inspection procedures and reports, vessel monitoring system formats and protocols and the harmonization of control data.
• Represents the GFCM to ensure visibility of its compliance related work in relevant meetings, in particular in relation to compliance issues and the fight against IUU fishing, including on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
• Acts as a contact point for partner organizations on topics related to compliance in order to build synergies and commonalities, specifically for other RFMOs compliance officers.
• Liaises with relevant FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres, as well as with relevant experts outside the Organization, to promote and implement initiatives relating to the fight against IUU fishing and the implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance measures.
• Contributes to the development of a modular approach to monitoring, control and surveillance by the GFCM, including the implementation of a vessel monitoring system, electronic logbook and other control tools.
• Performs duties, where necessary and required, as related to the above duties.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWINGMinimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in fishery science, marine affairs or in any related field as relevant, in particular, to compliance processes.
• Seven years of relevant experience in fisheries, with a strong focus on actions supporting the fight against IUU fishing, including through the implementation, monitoring and assessment of management measures adopted by national, regional or international organizations, the provision of technical support, on monitoring, control and surveillance including on regulatory and institutional issues, as well as the implementation of inspections schemes.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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 or knowledge of the regulatory framework at country, subregional and regional levels and of measures to assess and ensure compliance with fisheries related measures in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of advice in relation to the implementation of measures adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and familiarity with the operations of compliance committees established by RFMOs.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and organization of technical meetings, in particular on issues relating to the fight against IUU fishing.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of technical support and advice to governments on monitoring, control and surveillance and related institutional issues.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with governments and organizations and to participate in international/regional meetings and fora.
• Familiarity with the formulation and the implementation of projects that include a compliance component, with particular regard to issues such as IUU fishing and monitoring, control and surveillance.
• Proficiency in the preparation and revision of technical documents and reports.
• Knowledge of GFCM policies will be an asset.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of Arabic, French or Spanish will be a strong asset.

Expected salary

Location

Roma

Job date

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:58:11 GMT

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