Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
The Regional Office supports regional, policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
The post is located in Technical Officers Group, RAFT, within the West Africa Team, with duty station in Accra, Ghana.
Reporting Lines
The Fishery and Aquaculture Officer reports to the Senior Forestry Officer, RAFT, Team Leader of the West Africa Team.
Technical Focus
Provide support to the development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in West Africa including formulation and implementation of management and development policies, programmes and field projects, response to country and sub-regional requests for technical and policy assistance, capacity building and diffusion of best practices in the concerned fields, and backing relevant intergovernmental and professional Fishery and Aquaculture bodies operating in the sub-region.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of Departmental/Division programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with Departmental/Division objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives
Key Functions
· Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-Departmental committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy 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, 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 (optional)
· Monitors the fishery and aquaculture situation in countries and in the sub-region as a whole, study and analyse their technical assistance needs identifying major related issues in marine and inland waters;
· Provides policy and technical advice on the main fisheries and aquaculture sector challenges in the sub-region, more particularly regarding the prevalence of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fisheries, the low domestic capture share from the countries Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the inadequate incentives, technical assistance and capacity for aquaculture development in inland water bodies and on-farm;
· Advises governments and other stakeholders on the formulation, implementation and monitoring of fisheries and aquaculture development and management policies, programmes and projects primarily in West Africa;
· Collaborates with Regional Fishery and Aquaculture Bodies in the sub-region, their subsidiary bodies and regional networks concerned with fisheries and aquaculture, such as the Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF), giving advice to the Secretariats on issues of relevance to inland and marine fisheries;
· Liaises and provides assistance to governmental and private sector professional aquaculture bodies to improve organization of access to better inputs for farmers while strengthening the various segments of the aquaculture value chain;
· Provides advice to river basin authorities on how to put in action lessons learned from previous aquaculture programmes and/or design and implement new initiatives;
· Advises on the use of improved seed and risk analysis in the various river basins in West Africa;
· Perform other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
· Advanced University degree in Marine/Freshwater Biology, Aquaculture, Fishery/Aquaculture Science, Fishery/Aquaculture Economics or related field;
· Seven years of relevant experience in fishery and aquaculture development at field level, research or application of micro and macro-economic techniques to aquaculture or assessment development;
· Working knowledge of English and French
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 is desirable and field experience at both national and regional levels in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly West Africa would be an asset
· Extent and relevance of international experience and expertise in fishery and, especially, aquaculture development, including both the policy and the field dimensions, particularly in West Africa;
· Extent and relevance of experience in project/programme formulation, implementation and monitoring in the field of fishery and, especially, aquaculture;
· Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support and advice to national, sub-regional and regional fishery and aquaculture management and development bodies and research institutions;
· Ability to mobilize resources and to deliver against deadlines
· Excellent communication skills in English and French are considered a strong asset.
Please note that all candidates should adhere toFAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
· All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.
· Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
· Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.
· Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.
· Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.
· Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.
REMUNERATION A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, visit the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) website:http://icsc.un.org/rootindex.asp
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org
