Background information
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. Its main objective 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, the Black Sea, and connecting waters. Composed of 24 contracting parties (23 countries and the European Union) and 3 co-operating non-contracting parties, it makes binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management, based on scientific research and analysis, and provide advice to ensure sustainable aquaculture development.
Recent years have seen a radical transformation in the organization, which has become a highly active and effective Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO). In 2011, the GFCM launched a process to review and modernize its legal and institutional framework. This led to an amendment to its Constitutive Agreement in 2014, and to a reformed GFCM with vastly improved regional cooperation and compliance mechanisms.
The GFCM is now one of the most open and participatory RFMOs, with improved performance, impact and innovation in all areas of its work. Effective enforcement mechanisms are partnered with capacity-building programmes to ensure the successful implementation of binding recommendations. The shift to a more participatory approach in its scientific committees, alongside the development of technological tools such as the Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF), ensure better collection, compliance and quality of the scientific data that underpins these recommendations. The GFCM is now facing one of the most ambitious periods in its history. The recently approved Mid-term strategy (2017-2020) towards the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries, and the Strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture introduce challenging objectives and targets for the coming three years. As they bring new projects, fields of work and an expanding organizational remit, new products and events need to be promoted. The well-received publication on The state of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2016 (SoMFI) was the first time the GFCM had made all its research and data available in one publication, and a second edition is planned for 2018. The GFCM Forum on Fisheries Science (GFCM FishForum) is planned for the same year – the first event of its kind being organized by the GFCM.
In 2016, 85% of Mediterranean and Black Sea fish stocks were fished at biologically unsustainable levels. The work of the Commission to reverse this trend and secure this vital socio-economic resource is increasingly urgent. For its ambitious strategies to succeed, the GFCM needs to communicate effectively about its work, and its impact, to key audiences and stakeholders. Good communications can demonstrate to countries that their ongoing support and participation will deliver results that benefit them all, and can help secure the cooperation that will sustain and increase the impact of the Commission’s work.
Job description
The GFCM is seeking a in-house consultant who will ensure the coordination of its communications activities and liaise with the partners and stakeholders involved, as appropriate. In particular, the consultant will be expected to:
- Elaborate a communication plan (web, press releases, social media, etc.) addressing major GFCM products, meetings and events, including the GFCM Forum on Fisheries Science and the launch of awareness campaign on bycatch, in line with GFCM and FAO communications policies;
- Ensure the implementation of the communication plan and of the activities deriving from it;
- Organize communications using the various means and channels available and promote GFCM activities and products and liaise with different medias and counterparts;
- Prepare information and communication materials;
- Liaise with providers (graphic designers, video-makers, consultants, etc.) as required;
- Participate, as required and requested, in relevant meetings;
- Perform any other duties as required to support the tasks included in his/her contract.
Candidate profile
The consultant should:
- hold a degree in a related field, including communications, journalism, international relations, fisheries or environmental policy, biology or any other field relevant to the work of the Organization n.
- have minimum five to seven years of professional experience with evidence in building communications capacity, preferably in an international context;
- have a demonstrated interest in international relations and communications, possibly on fisheries, science or environmental issues;
- be interested in the dynamics of multi-stakeholder processes and institutions;
- have an experience on dealing with contractors and providers
Requirements
- Perfect knowledge and ability to efficiently communicate in English, both orally and in writing; knowledge of French and/or other languages of Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries will be considered as an asset.
- Ability to craft compelling communications messages and materials around complex issues;
- Demonstrable ability to develop organizational voice and presence;
- Ability to develop material and messages which are appropriate to key audiences;
- Experience in effective use of social media to build profile and campaign, and to engage audiences, particularly on complex issues;
- Self-starter, good team players but able to work on his/her own initiative and to manage his/her own workload effectively.
Contract conditions
This consultancy, subject to meeting needed criteria is expected to start by 1 July 2017 for a duration of 9 to 11 months with a probation period of two months. A competitive consultancy rate, approximately around 4500 USD a month, will be determined based on FAO rules and depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The FAO Human Resources Office will perform a final revision and issue the contract following the rules of the Organization. The consultant is expected to work full-time at the GFCM headquarters (Rome, Italy).
HOW TO APPLY:
Submission of applications
Interested candidates should send their application to the GFCM Secretariat (gfcm-secretariat@fao.org) by 15 June 2017 following the procedure detailed here http://www.fao.org/gfcm/background/job-opportunities/en/. The application e-mail should indicate as a title “Application for communications consultancy”. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. The selected candidate will receive specific terms of reference indicating expected deliverables/duration of assignment.
