Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFworks with Members and partners to transform aquatic systems and promote the responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Leaving no one behind.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCis a regional fisheries management organization (RFMestablished under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. Its main objective is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best use 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 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 decisionmaking; coordinates and benefits from the support of projects and programmes at the regional and subregional levels to enhance scientific cooperation and capacitybuilding among its contracting parties and cooperating noncontracting parties.

To support these endeavours and fulfil its mandate, the GFCM collaborates, interacts, gathers and shares information with a wide network of national institutions, consortia and academia, international organizations, intergovernmental, nongovernmental and civil society organizations, as well as experts and scientists. In this context and as its activities bring new projects, fields of work and an expanding organizational remit, new products and events need to be properly prepared and promoted. In addition, for its ambitious strategies to succeed, the GFCM needs to communicate effectively about its work and its impact to key audiences and stakeholders. Good communication can contribute to obtaining support and participation and securing cooperation between all stakeholders involved.

The post is located in the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193, Rome, Italand the incumbent is expected to provide expert support to the Executive Secretary and relevant staff of the GFCM Secretariat including its subregional technical units, transversally.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer reports to the GFCM Executive Secretary and collaborates with relevant staff in the GFCM Secretariat, both at GFCM office in Rome, Italy and in the subregional technical units, transversally. S/he supervises a team of specialists dedicated to the implementation of the GFCM workplan on compliance related matters.

Technical Focus

Support the full implementation of GFCM policies by Contracting Parties and Cooperating nonContracting Parties (CPCrelated to decisions adopted, in particular on fisheries management, in accordance with the mandate of the GFCM and its Compliance Committee; iTargets 3 and 5 of its midterm strategy; iiselect objectives in Ministerial Declarations in place and; irelevant policy instruments, thereby contributing to curb IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulatefishing, including via enhanced MCS and working relationships with relevant organizations and stakeholders.

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 Organizationwide, crossdivisional 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 Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, online 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 Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

•    Oversees, in coordination with the Executive Secretary, the work of the GFCM Secretariat in relation to the Compliance Committee, including the monitoring and assessment of compliance by GFCM CPCs with existing recommendations, the strengthening of regional, subregional and national data reporting frameworks, specifically those of relevance to GFCM management plans, and the provision of technical assistance to CPCs to address lack of compliance.
•    Leads the GFCM Compliance Team and periodically liaises with relevant GFCM Secretariat staff, in particular the team leaders of the Fisheries and Aquaculture teams on matters of common interest to the Compliance Committee and the Scientific Advisory committees for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
•    Participates in the strategic planning of GFCM activities, and specifically in preparing, reviewing and implementing the workplan of the Compliance Committee, as approved by the Commission and carried out during the intersession.
•    Provides compliancerelated advice to the Executive Secretary, including in relation to relevant national, regional and international priorities and needs relating to compliance or lack thereof, as well as in relation to the application of tools and tables for the assessment, monitoring and strengthening of compliance based on GFCM recommendations.
•    Assists national focal points involved in the activities of the Compliance Committee, with particular regard to the implementation of activities associated to the fight against IUU fishing and the modular implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance, and fosters periodical dialogue with them in view of the annual assessment of compliance by the Compliance Committee with the aim, where required and needed, to streamline and provide technical assistance to them.
•    Represents the GFCM to ensures visibility of its compliance related work in relevant meetings and fora, including on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
•    Acts as a contact point for partner organizations on topics related to compliance in order to build synergies and commonalities.
•    Liaises with relevant FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres, as well as with relevant experts outside the organization, to promote and implement initiatives relating to the fight against IUU fishing and the implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance measures.
•    Contributes to the development of a modular approach to monitoring, control and surveillance by the GFCM, including the implementation of vessel monitoring system, electronic logbook and other control tools.
•    Performs duties, where necessary and required, as related to the above duties.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•         Advanced university degree in fishery science, marine affairs, international law related to fishery, development economics, sustainable agriculture (including fisherieor a related field.

•         Seven years of relevant experience in fisheries, with a strong focus on actions supporting the fight against IUU fishing, including through the implementation, monitoring and assessment of management measures adopted by national, regional or international organizations, the provision of technical support, including on regulatory and institutional issues, as well as the implementation of inspections schemes.

•         Working knowledge (full proficiencylevel of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiencylevel of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanis.

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 or knowledge of the regulatory framework at country, subregional and regional levels  and of measures to assess and ensure compliance with fisheries related measures in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

•         Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of advice in relation to the implementation of measures adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and familiarity with the operations of compliance committees established by RFMOs.

•         Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and organization of technical meetings, in particular on issues relating to the fight against IUU fishing.

•         Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of technical support and advice to governments on monitoring, control and surveillance and related institutional issues.

•         Demonstrated ability to liaise with governments and organizations and to participate in international/regional meetings and fora.

•         Familiarity with the formulation and the implementation of projects relating to fisheries, with particular regard to issues such as IUU fishing and monitoring, control and surveillance.

•         Proficiency in the preparation and revision of technical documents and reports.

•         Knowledge of GFCM policies will be an asset.

•         Working knowledge (full proficiency – level of Arabic, French or Spanish will be a strong asset.