National Fisheries Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO opened the Rohingya Refugee Crisis Response Program in early October 2017 with funding from SFERA under Government Bangladesh official authorization and no objection. Since this time the program has grown in scope, supporting both Rohingya refugees in the camps and host communities. FAO has taken on a significant role in the Inter Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG) structure. Since this time, FAO continues to support both Refugees and host communities adapt to the new context of an extended Refugee Response in Cox’s Bazar district and is in addition providing emergency assistance following natural disasters, following especially Cyclones and Floods and addressing emergency agricultural and livelihoods needs. FAO is leading in several multi-sectoral projects and co-chairs the Food Security Sector the Energy and Environment Network. FAO is also an active member of the Head of Sub-Office level decision making group. 

FAO Cox’s Bazar maintains two primary programme units, the Agricultural Livelihoods Unit and the Natural Resource Management/Disaster Risk Management Unit. Both units are staffed with technical specialist implementing multi-year programming in coordination with government partners, UN agencies, civil society and private sector partners.   While part of the overall emergency response, the FAO Cox’s Bazar programme works across the Humanitarian -Development-Peace Nexus, bridging emergency programmes with development objectives, ensuring all programming contributes to the Government of Bangladesh development priorities and protecting development strategy gains. 

Reporting Lines

The National Fisheries Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, direct supervision of the Emergency and Resilience Programme Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar and in close collaboration with the National Programme Manager and Operations Specialist.

Technical Focus

This is a SC-8 level position. The National Fisheries Specialist will focus on promoting sustainable fishery practices and implementing fisheries projects. Additionally, the incumbent will engage with local communities and stakeholders to promote sustainable fishing practices and improve livelihoods, balancing ecological health with economic and social benefits.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Work closely and maintain liaison with government partners from the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to develop FAO’s programs in support of Government strategies in the Fisheries sector.  
•    Provide technical inputs to the development of programs and projects in fisheries management (including standardized equipment and gear, sustainable catch training, safety-at-sea training, processing, and safe storage),  
•    Work closely with the Headquarters and Regional fisheries teams to ensure that appropriate and innovative technologies are mainstreamed into FAO work in fisheries sector management, 
•    Support the Emergency Response Programme Coordinator to coordinate FAO’s work with that of other agencies working in the sector, 
•    Develop training modules for the master trainers and the beneficiaries on fisheries management and other technical requirements,
•    Oversee implementation of field activities, ensuring cost-effective, efficient and technically sound strategies and methodologies are employed throughout sector work, 
•    Develop written reports, making recommendations as well as respond diplomatically to sensitive issues regarding their findings,
•    Represent FAO at sector and technical working group meetings as required, 
•    Any other duties as assigned by the FAO Representative/Assistant FAO Representative (Programme)/ Emergency Response Programme Coordinator,
•    Identify technical, social, market and processing innovations which will improve the sustainability and income generation potential for local fisher folk,
•    Capture lessons learned and best practices for sharing to the wider community of stakeholders.
•    Any other task assigned by the FAO Representative & Supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Master’s degree related to Fisheries and Aquaculture. 
•    Minimum 7 years of relevant work experiences in programme and/or project planning, implementation, quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
•    Working knowledge of English
•    A Bangladeshi national. 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Significant experience in fisheries/aquaculture principles and approaches.
•    Strong analytical and reporting skills.
•    Previous experience of working  with UN agency/International Organization is an asset
•    Deep understanding of the ongoing emergency response and relevant stakeholders, including UN agencies, government, civil society and donors.
•    Demonstrated understanding global best practices, stakeholders and innovations in fisheries/aquaculture. 
•    Adept in networking, negotiation, persuasion and advocacy for mainstreaming new concepts and approaches. 
•    Knowledge and understanding of fisheries/aquaculture issues in Bangladesh. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION