Fishery Resources Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
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. The GFCM's primary mission is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The organization formulates and recommends appropriate measures, ensures their implementation, coordinates efforts among countries for effective fisheries and aquaculture management, and monitors the status of fishery resources. The GFCM also engages in scientific work to support decision-making and collaborates with a wide network of institutions and partners to enhance scientific cooperation and capacity building. The organization is committed to effective communication about its work and impact to key audiences, which is essential for obtaining support and participation from stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Fishery Resources Specialist will play a crucial role in implementing the GFCM 2030 Strategy aimed at ensuring the sustainability of fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. This position requires providing technical expertise and advice on various ecological, biological, economic, market, governance, and social issues related to fisheries management and sustainable development. The specialist will support scientific working groups and national experts by preparing scientific data and technical documentation, as well as reviewing scientific outputs. The role also involves developing and improving analytical tools and workflows used in fisheries science and management, acting as a liaison between scientific experts and data management teams, and coordinating projects that support fisheries management. The specialist will contribute to the planning and organization of events related to the GFCM work programme and provide technical expertise to assess and address various aspects of aquaculture in line with the GFCM 2030 strategy. Additionally, the role includes supporting research programmes, trials at sea, and the development of data collection systems and methodologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical inputs towards the implementation of the GFCM 2030 Strategy for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
• Monitor, analyze, and address ecological, biological, economic, market, governance, or social issues related to fisheries management.
• Support scientific working groups and national experts by preparing scientific data and technical documentation.
• Develop and improve analytical tools and workflows for fisheries science and management.
• Act as a liaison between scientific experts and data management teams.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity development to scientific working groups and national experts.
• Coordinate projects and initiatives supporting fisheries management.
• Plan and organize relevant events and activities in relation to the GFCM work programme.
• Assess and address environmental, economic, social, governance, and planning aspects of aquaculture. 1
• Support existing and new research programmes and trials at sea. 1
• Contribute to the design and implementation of fisheries and aquaculture information management practices. 1
• Edit and revise technical and scientific documents and publications. 1
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University degree in natural or marine biology, social and economic sciences, or related fields recognized by the international Association of Universities (IAU) or technical specialization in relevant areas.
• For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are required.
• At least one year of relevant experience in fisheries research, sustainable aquaculture, natural resource management, project development, data analysis, or compliance issues.
• For consultants: working knowledge (Level C) of English, French, or Spanish; for PSAs: working knowledge (Level C) of English or French.
• Core competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Technical/functional skills relevant to fisheries and aquaculture management.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the international Association of Universities (IAU) or technical specialization in fields related to natural or marine biology, social and economic sciences, fisheries management, aquaculture, or other relevant areas. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are required.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of relevant experience in fisheries research, sustainable aquaculture, natural resource management, project development, data analysis, or compliance issues. Experience in working with international and intergovernmental organizations, particularly in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, is preferred. Demonstrated experience in fisheries assessment, data analysis, and compliance monitoring is also essential.

Languages:
For consultants, a working knowledge (Level C) of English, French, or Spanish is mandatory. For PSAs, a working knowledge (Level C) of English or French is required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position may be home-based or located at the GFCM headquarters in Rome, Italy. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders and requires the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. The GFCM is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.