Fishery Resources Specialist

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 partners. In 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, 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;
•     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: 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

•     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, or in other field related to the work of the Organization. Consultants with a bachelor's 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. 
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English.

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