Organizational Setting
The Fisheries 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 Fishery Officer (Data Coordinator) reports to the IOTC Executive Secretary.

Technical Focus
In close coordination with senior management, the Fishery Officer (Data Coordinator) will lead and coordinate the collation, provision and exchange of information related to the decisions taken by the Commission and provide timely advice, analysis, reporting, data management and general support to the IOTC Secretariat.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides specialized expertise in technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Coordinates the collation, curation, and dissemination of data related to the decisions taken by the Commission. These include, inter alia, fisheries statistical data related to the IOTC mandatory data collection and reporting requirements, as well as biological and socio-economic information of interest to the Commission.
• Verifies quality and accuracy of received data through alternative sources of information, correct reporting inconsistencies and ensures adherence to data submission methodologies and best practices.
• Participates in the design and regular maintenance of the IOTC data management systems and processes.
• Develops adequate procedures to maintain operational all relevant IOTC data management systems, including automated error-checking and cross validation tasks.
• Estimates missing or incomplete datasets using appropriate statistical procedures.
• Provides high quality advice on data management and data monitoring issues as required.
• Maintains up-to-date documentation of the data management systems and associated processes and workflows.
• Prepares a wide range of datasets as required for use by the IOTC Scientific Committee and its Working Parties, including the provision of enhanced metadata and documentation.
• Provides technical support to countries in the region in establishing, maintaining, and/or improving national statistical systems for collecting and reporting data to the IOTC.
• Contributes to the dissemination of information on data-related activities through the IOTC website.
• Performs any other related duties assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in fisheries science, statistics, data management or equivalent.
• Seven years of relevant experience in data management and analysis, preferably in the field of fisheries data, with excellent command of Structured Query Language (SQL), R, R-Shiny, or other equivalent frameworks and programming languages.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• 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, is desirable.
• Understanding the concepts and methods used in fisheries stock assessment and the use of scientific information in fisheries management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of tuna fisheries, both of industrial and small-scale nature (experience in the Indian Ocean is highly desirable).
• Extent and relevance of experience in fisheries data collection, dissemination and management protocols, including the development of data management workflows.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and dissemination of fisheries statistical data sets.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the management and leading of training workshops.
• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, particularly in developing or least developed countries, is desirable.
• Proven ability in writing technical papers and scientific meeting reports.
• Ability to mobilize resources.