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 endeavours, 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.
Purpose of the call for expression of interest
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 on socioeconomic and value chain analysis within the GFCM region. The assignment may be home-based or located at the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193 โ Rome, Italy), 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 depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.
Reporting lines
The Fishery Specialist (socioeconomics and value chain) 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 Department.
Technical focus
Areas of work cover sustainable development and management of fisheries (particularly small-scale 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, socio-economic data collection and analysis, value chain assessment and analysis, gender issues, social protection, stakeholder engagement, recreational fisheries and work plan of technical working groups and 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 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 Provide expert technical guidance to support the implementation of national socioeconomic surveys in relevant GFCM contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties, following a harmonized regional methodology
โข ย ย Provide expert technical guidance to support the implementation of species and/or fishery-specific socioeconomic surveysย
โข ย ย Facilitate the analysis of fisheries value chains in the GFCM area of application
โข ย ย Provide expert guidance on conducting value chain analysis for select species in support of management
โข ย ย Provide expert guidance on supporting the role of women along the fisheries value chain
โข ย ย Coordinate projects and initiatives supporting fisheries management, including on the above mentioned specific issues;
โข ย ย Provide substantial support for the planning and organization of relevant events and activities in relation to the GFCM work programme;
โข ย ย Provide support to existing and new research programmes and analysis activities to support the development or implementation of data collection ย systems, 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;
โข ย ย Edit and revise technical and scientific documents and publications where appropriate;
โข ย ย Perform any other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย University (mandatory for Consultants) or specialized degree (only for PSA) in natural, social and economic sciences including any of the following fields: fisheries or natural resources management, fisheries or natural resources economics, social development, political science, gender studies or in other field related to the work of the Organization.
โข ย ย At least one year of relevant experience in fisheries-related research, socio-economic analysis, fisheries stakeholder engagement, natural resource management, project development and implementation, data analysis or related fields;
โข ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for PSA, only working knowledge of English is required)
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-related research, socio-economic analysis, fisheries stakeholder engagement, natural resource management, project development and implementation, data analysis 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 ย 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