Fisheries Global and Regional Processes Specialist

Organizational Setting

International specialists represent an important source of expertise for FAO, making their specialist contributions across the globe towards the achievement of the Organization’s strategic framework to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. 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. 
The Fisheries Global and Regional Processes Team (NFIFP) of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) has the primary responsibility of supporting global dialogue, cooperation, capacity development and implementation of international instruments, processes and mechanisms to achieve sustainable fisheries. NFIFP’s main areas of work include activities related to: i) the FAO Committee on Fisheries [including through the management of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries questionnaire], ii) developing and implementing international fisheries instruments, liaising and collaborating with international organizations in global and regional matters, and iii) supporting regional mechanisms and monitoring processes such as reporting on SDG 14.6.1. 
NFIFP is responsible for the implementation of FAO’s Global Capacity Development Programme to support developing States and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in developing capacity to adopt and implement the provisions of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (the PSMA) and complementary international instruments and regional mechanisms to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Programme currently comprises sixteen projects with funding from the European Union (EU), Iceland, Germany, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Spain and Sweden.
A number of Project Task Forces (PTFs) manage and assist in the implementation of the projects developed within the framework of the Global Programme. The PTFs include NFIFP Senior Management and other officials, legal officers of FAO’s Development Law Service (LEGN) of the Legal Office, as well as other officials of FAO Headquarters and decentralised offices.

Reporting Lines

The Specialists will work under the overall supervision of the Team Leader NFIFP and the direct supervision of 
relevant Officers of NFIFP. 

Technical Focus 

Provision of support to FAO's work related to the implementation of international fisheries instruments, including the PSMA and complementary international instruments and regional mechanism, with a focus on combatting IUU fishing. In this regard, a wide range of expertise with different technical focus is required, including on fisheries legal and policy matters, fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS), fishing operations, fisheries information systems, programme/projects management and implementation, accounting, photography and audio-visual content production, publishing and communication. 

Tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of each selected Specialist will be defined in the Terms of Reference for specific 
assignments. In general, assigned tasks and responsibilities will normally include a number of the following elements 
depending on specific assignments and the expertise of the incumbent:

•    Support the formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Programme/projects in accordance with FAO’s Strategic Framework and the FAO project cycle. Contribute to the preparation of programme/ projects status reports.
•    Assist in managing and monitoring of budgets and expenditures, and the delivery of results in accordance with approved projects budgets and work plans.
•    Assist with financial reporting, general accounting, project accounting, and related tasks in accordance with FAO policies and regulatory framework, standards and systems. 
•    Provide organizational support to the Programme, projects and activities under NFIFP’s responsibility, including with respect to the organization of international meetings.
•    Contribute to NFIFP’s work related to resource mobilization. 
•    Assist beneficiary countries in undertaking the necessary policy and legislative revisions for the adoption and effective implementation of the provisions of the PSMA and complementary international instruments and regional mechanisms. 
•    Assist beneficiary countries in developing and implementing the MCS elements within the broader framework of the support provided by projects and other relevant initiatives to enhance capacity of concerned agencies and officials to combat IUU fishing though port State measures (PSMs) and related instruments and tools.
•    Liaise and coordinate with Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) on conservation and management measures adopted and implemented at regional level to combat IUU fishing with a view of supporting concerned developing States in enhancing their capacity to improve compliance.
•    Contribute to development and running of global information systems and tools in support of effective implementation of the PSMA and complementary international instruments, including the PSMA Global Information Exchange System (GIES). the FAO Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels (Global Record) and other applications relevant to the Programme.
•    Contribute to relevant studies, publications and analyses, knowledge products and dissemination materials related to NFIFP’s areas of work, including guidelines, capacity building, communications and training materials. 
•    Coordinate, implement and administrate assigned programme/ projects and/or project components and activities in accordance with FAO rules, procedures and systems, and donor requirements. 
•    Organize and participate in field missions and other events in support of the delivery of NFIFP’s programme of work, including for consultation, training, capacity building and technical assistance to beneficiaries of FAO support programmes and projects. 
•    Collaborate with relevant UN agencies (IMO, ILO, UNEP, World Bank and UNODC in particular), Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs), other Intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia and institutes in areas of mutual interest (only for Consultants).
•    Represent NFIFP at internal and external meetings, particularly those related to the development and implementation of NFIFP-led programmes/ projects (only for Consultants). 
•    Enrich NFIFP photo and audio-visual library for different communication products and purposes.
•    Any other duties related to NFIFP’s areas of work. 

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: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en  
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia   
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en 
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en 
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm 
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en    
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

•    For consultants: university degree in Fisheries Science, Fisheries Management, Fishing Operations, Fisheries Law, Marine Affairs, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Project Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Communication, Journalism, or other relevant field. For PSAs: technical specialization in Fisheries Science, Fisheries Management, Fishing Operations, Fisheries Law, Marine Affairs, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Project Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Communication, Journalism, or other relevant field.
•    For base level consultants (C level) 3 years of relevant experience in NFIFP’s areas of work (fisheries management; fisheries governance; fisheries law and policy; fisheries enforcement and compliance; fisheries information exchange; monitoring, control and surveillance; information systems; media and communications; training; project management); for middle level consultants (B level) at least 7 years of relevant experience in NFIFP’s areas of work; and for senior level consultants (A level) at least 12 years of relevant experience in NFIFP’s areas of work. For base level PSA (C level) 1 year of relevant experience in NFIFP’s areas of work, for B level PSA minimum 5 years of relevant experience in NFIFP’s areas of work and for A level PSA a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in NFIFP’s areas of work are required.  
•    For PSA and consultants: working knowledge (level C) of English 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Knowledge of an additional FAO language is preferable. 
•    Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point) including online communications tools. 
•    Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the main technical areas of NFIFP’s work. 
•    Extent and relevance of experience working in the field
•    Experience in coordinating and liaising with national authorities, UN agencies, donors, intergovernmental 
organizations, and non-governmental organizations