Fishery Resources Specialist

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• 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 FAOs 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

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications and language skills
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application

Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work character education military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
Incomplete applications will not be considered
Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAOs behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications assessment tests background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing your application in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries please create a one-time registration with FAOs client support team for further assistance: IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

Organizational Setting

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. Its main objective is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
The GFCM formulates and recommends appropriate measures and ensures these recommendations are implemented; coordinates efforts by countries to effectively manage fisheries and aquaculture; monitors the status of fishery resources and carries out scientific work to support advice and decision- making; coordinates and benefits from the support of projects and programmes at the regional and subregional levels to enhance scientific cooperation and capacity building among its membership.
To fulfil its mandate the GFCM collaborates gathers and shares information with a wide network of institutions and this context and as its activities bring new projects and fields of work new products and events need to be properly prepared and promoted. For its ambitious strategies to succeed the GFCM needs to communicate effectively about its work and its impact to key audiences. Good communication can contribute to obtaining support and participation and securing cooperation between all stakeholders involved.

The posts are either home-based or located at GFCM headquarters (Via Vittoria Colonna 1 00193 Rome Italy).

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Resources Specialist reports to the GFCM Fishery Officers and to the GFCM Executive Secretary. She/he closely collaborates with relevant staff at the GFCM Secretariat and in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.

Technical Focus

Areas of work cover sustainable development and management of fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region including sustainable aquaculture development aquaculture capacity development activities within the ADC policy support implementation of relevant plans of action and binding decisions in place small-scale fisheries guidelines implementation Blue Transformation fisheries-related SDG monitoring information management fisheries data interoperability standards data analysis and assessment of the status of marine living resources management strategy evaluation ecosystem approach to fisheries management planning and implementation interactions between fisheries and the marine environment and ecosystems discards monitoring programmes and awareness scientific surveys fishing gear and fishing techniques gear selectivity fisheries decarbonization mitigation of bycatch benthic communities European eel sturgeons piked dogfish vulnerable species deep water corals jellyfish climate change mitigation and adaptation non-indigenous species (including blue crabs) MCS IUU fishing compliance assessment fishing vessels socio-economic impacts value chains social protection recreational fisheries stakeholder engagement gender and work plan of scientific advisory bodies.

Tasks and responsibilities

Provide technical inputs towards the implementation of the GFCM 2030 Strategy towards the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and achievement of its targets and the provision of advice on fisheries and aquaculture;
Provide technical expertise or advice to monitor analyze and/or address ecological biological economic market governance or social issues towards the management and sustainable development of fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea;
Coordinate projects and initiatives supporting fisheries management including on the above-mentioned specific issues as well as in the context of capacity development work under the MedSea4Fish and BlackSea4Fish projects;
Provide substantial support for the planning and organization of relevant events and activities in relation to the GFCM work programme including at subregional level;
Provide technical expertise to assess monitor and address environmental economic social governance and planning aspects of aquaculture in line with GFCM 2030 strategy (e.g. AZA EMP Responsible Investment ADCs) to promote resilient and responsible aquaculture systems;
Provide support to the GFCM CoC and its intersessional activities including the drafting and editing documents on the implementation status of GFCM recommendations and data submission MCS measures including control technologies and fight against IUU fishing at regional level;
Provide support to existing and new research programmes trials at sea fishing gear selectivity tests pilot studies and strategic initiatives in support to the development or implementation of data collection systems standard methodologies technical standards/guidelines international instruments technical innovation technical reports publications;
Contribute to the design implementation and improvement of fisheries and aquaculture information management practices including integrated repositories adherence to interoperability standards where applicable and needed (e.g. FLUX) and provision of analytics platforms ensuring alignment with GFCM and FAO standards.
As required support the implementation of the work plans of the scientific advisory bodies as well as contribute to the process of formulation of scientific advice;
Edit and revise technical and scientific documents and publications where appropriate;
Provide support to information management activities envisaged in the framework for project outputs;
Perform any other related duties as required.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with OCC will be maintained either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator to ensure compliance with OCC standards aligned messaging and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31:
FAO social media policy and guidelines:
Social Media Branding Guidelines:
FAOSTYLE
FAO terminology
FAO Names of Countries
Story guidelines Story template UN map standards FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
Further guidance regarding FAO communications policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced University degree from an institution recognized by the international Association of Universities (IAU) UNESCO (for consultants) or technical specialization (only for PSA) in natural marine biology or related fields social and economic sciences including any of the following fields: biology fisheries or natural resources management aquaculture fisheries or natural resources economics fisheries technology international law international relations social development marine/freshwater affairs data science engineering or other fields related to fisheries governance monitoring control and surveillance (MCS) and information management in fisheries and aquaculture contexts or in other field related to the work of the Organization. Consultants with a bachelors degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
At least one year (for PSA and Consultants) of relevant experience in fisheries research sustainable aquaculture natural resource management project development and implementation data analysis MCS and compliance issues or related fields.
For Consultants: working knowledge (Level C) of English French or Spanish.
For PSAs: working knowledge (Level C) of English or French.

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 possibly with focus on the Mediterranean and/or Black Sea region
Extent of experience in the relevant fields
Drafting and communication skills
Proficiency in using Excel and the MS Office package.

Selection Criteria

Level of experience in fisheries research natural resource management project development and implementation data analysis MCS and compliance or related fields
Level of knowledge of the functioning of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs)
Experience in working with international and intergovernmental organizations preferably in connection with the Mediterranean and Black Sea region
Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines
Thoroughness reliability and autonomy
Level of communications skills (both oral and written) and drafting skills in relevant languages

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