Organizational Setting
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. The main objective of the GFCM is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
To this end, the GFCM formulates and recommends appropriate measures for the conservation and rational management of living marine resources and ensures these recommendations are implemented; constantly reviews the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry, recommending specific measures in connection with its development; promotes and carries out training, research and development activities, in addition to cooperation and technical assistance in fisheries-related fields; collects, publishes and disseminates information on exploitable living marine resources and on fisheries exploiting these resources; promotes programmes for marine and coastal fisheries enhancement.
To further support these endeavors, the GFCM adopted the GFCM 2030 Strategy towards the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries as a regional reply to the objectives enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the FAO Strategic Objective 2, in order to ensure that the alarming trend in the status of commercially exploited fish stocks is reversed by means of the five targets relating to 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.
The purpose of this call is to attract global talent for the Consultant and Personal Services assignments that may provide support and/or lead fisheries projects and technical support processes in the GFCM region. The assignment may be home-based or located at the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl with potential travel for field missions. The Global call will create a roster of Applicants that will be used to identify candidates for relevant assignments.
The assignment can be from 1 month up to 11 months. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and ย depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.
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 policy support, implementation of relevant plans of action and binding decisions in place, small-scale fisheries guidelines implementation, Blue Transformation, fisheries-related SDG monitoring , 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
โข ย ย 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;
โข ย ย Provide technical expertise or advice to monitor, analyze and/or address ecological, biological, economic, market, governance or ย social issues towards the management and sustainable development of fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea;
โข ย ย 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;
โข ย ย Provide substantial support for the planning and organization of relevant events and activities in relation to the GFCM work programme, including at subregional level;
โข ย ย 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;
โข ย ย 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 ย systems, standard methodologies, technical standards/guidelines, international instruments, technical innovation, technical reports, publications;
โข ย ย 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;
โข ย ย Edit and revise technical and scientific documents and publications where appropriate;
โข ย ย Provide support to information management activities envisaged in the framework for project outputs
โข ย ย Perform any other related duties as required.
FAO Standards and guidelines:
โข ย ย 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.
โข ย ย 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 ย
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia ย ย
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044enย
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081enย
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faotermย
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en ย ย
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).ย
โข ย ย 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
โข ย ย University degree (mandatory 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, fisheries or natural resources economics, fisheries technology, international law, international relations social development, marine/freshwater affairs, or in other field related to the work of the Organization.
โข ย ย At least one year (for PSA) or two years (for Consultants) of relevant experience in fisheries research, natural resource management, project development and implementation, data analysis, MCS and compliance issues or related fields.
โข ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work, possibly with focus on the Mediterranean and/or Black Sea region
โข ย ย Extent of experience in the relevant fields
โข ย ย Drafting and communication skills
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Level of experience in fisheries research, natural resource management, project development and implementation, data analysis, MCS and compliance or related fields
โข ย ย Level of knowledge of the functioning of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs)
โข ย ย Experience in working with international and intergovernmental organizations, preferably in connection with the Mediterranean and Black Sea region
โข ย ย Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines
โข ย ย Thoroughness, reliability and autonomy
โข ย ย Level of communications skills (both oral and written) and drafting skills in relevant languages