ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

JOB SUMMARY

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO’s activities related to fisheries and aquaculture and their development, with particular emphasis on human well-being, food security and poverty reduction; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and well-being of fishing communities; collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up-to-date fishery statistics and for the dissemination of FAO’s information on all aspects of world fisheries and aquaculture.

The Division is also responsible for FAO’s activities related to the management and conservation of the living aquatic resources used by fisheries and aquaculture, including the biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance, with particular emphasis on most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats; management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices; development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and well-being of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established in 1993 under the provisions of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The IOTC’s objective is to promote cooperation among the Contracting Parties (Members) and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties of the IOTC with a view to ensuring, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilization of stocks covered by the organization’s establishing Agreement and encouraging sustainable development of fisheries based on such.

The IOTC implements its policy and activities through its secretariat, based in Seychelles.
The Commission has four key science-based functions and responsibilities which enable it to achieve its objectives.

Briefly these include: reviewing the status of the stocks and to gather, analyse and disseminate scientific information (including catch and effort statistics and other relevant data); supporting research and development activities in respect of the stocks and fisheries covered by the IOTC; adopting, on the basis of scientific evidence, Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) to ensure the conservation of the stocks covered by the Agreement; and reviewing the economic and social aspects of the fisheries based on the stocks covered by the Agreement.

The position is located in Victoria, Seychelles in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) within the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI).

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Programme & IOTC Data Officer) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer (IOTC Science Manager).

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.

Key Functions

•    Liaises and assists government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO’s activities in the country and with other UN agencies.

He/she may represent FAO at inter-agency meetings as required.
•    Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization’s mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities, including development and maintenance of communication tools (such as website, press releases and publications) and support to implementation of FAO’s regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country.
•    Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on fisheries, including information on external aid in FAO’s corporate systems, and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
•    Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies, as required, and developing country level development frameworks.
•    Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
•    Briefs, trains and supervises junior staff; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided.
•    Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

•    Assists in the collation, verification and input of fisheries, biological and socio-economic data into IOTC integrated databases.
•    Assists in the quality and compliance assessments of data submissions to the IOTC Secretariat.
•    Estimates missing data, using ancillary sources of information and appropriate statistical procedures.
•    Assists in the maintenance of IOTC databases and in the preparation of data sets for IOTC dissemination and in supporting scientific and compliance-related meetings.
•    Maintains appropriate up-to-date documentation of the data sets and associated procedures, including development of standard metadata and publication on online open repositories (e.g., metadata catalogues).
•    Assists in the preparation of progress reports on data collection activities and fisheries data reviews for presentation to meetings of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies.
•    Attends and actively contributes to IOTC Working Parties and Scientific Committees and participates in the reporting of the proceedings.
•    Participates in field activities in support of the implementation of data collection and management activities in IOTC countries, including assistance with the implementation of the IOTC Regional Observer Programme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    National of the country of assignment.
•    Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries or any other field related to the work of the Organization.
•    Two years of relevant experience in agricultural development or fisheries development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO’s activities in the country.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of the local language.

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, particularly in field positions.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and database management.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on fisheries.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals, as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.
•    Ability to perform automated reporting and advanced data analysis.
•    Knowledge of tuna fisheries, including data collection, processing and reporting systems.

How to Apply
Step 1: Please re-read this job description from the beginning to the end.
Step 2: Click the APPLY FOR JOB button at the end of this job advert.
Step 3: After going to parent website, please read instructions carefully and ensure you apply as soon as possible.

Good luck!