• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The main objective of the GFCM 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 and the Black Sea. To this end, the GFCM formulates and recommends appropriate measures for the conservation and rational management of living marine resources and ensures these recommendations are implemented; constantly reviews the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry, recommending specific measures in connection with its development; promotes and carries out training, research and development activities, in addition to cooperation and technical assistance in fisheries-related fields; collects, publishes and disseminates information on exploitable living marine resources and on fisheries exploiting these resources; promotes programmes for marine and coastal fisheries enhancement.

To pursue a common vision and guiding principles to achieve sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in this region and to federate all efforts to deliver on national, regional and global commitments, the GFCM adopted a 2030 Strategy for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (GFCM 2030 Strategy). It upholds the heritage of fisheries and aquaculture as pillars for the livelihoods of coastal communities, championing a productive and sustainable food system that contributes to thriving economies and healthy ecosystems. The GFCM 2030 Strategy is articulated in five distinct targets that each contribute to this overarching vision for sustainability: Target 1 focuses on healthy seas and productive fisheries; Target 2 aims to ensure a level playing field to eradicate all illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; Target 3 helps realise the potential of a growing aquaculture sector; Target 4 supports livelihoods through decent employment and fishers engagement; and Target 5 fosters capacity development through technical cooperation and efficient partnerships across the region.

On a global scale, the GFCM 2030 Strategy contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development), aiming to end poverty, achieve food security, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030.

Purpose of the call for expression of interest

The purpose of this call is to attract global talent for the Consultant and Personal Services assignments that may provide support and/or lead fisheries projects and technical support processes in the GFCM region. The assignment may be home-based or located at the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193 – Rome, Italy), with potential travel for field missions. The Global call will create a roster of Applicants that will be used to identify candidates for relevant assignments.
The assignment can be from 1 month up to 11 months. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.

Reporting lines

The Fisheries Compliance Specialist reports to the GFCM Compliance Officer and the GFCM Executive Secretary and will closely collaborate with relevant staff in the GFCM Secretariat. The Fisheries Compliance Specialist will also collaborate with the FAO Legal Office, as appropriate.

Technical focus

In pursuing the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action to Fight Against IUU Fishing, Target 2 of the GFCM 2030 Strategy aims to end IUU fishing by strengthening compliance and enforcement as well as progressing in the field of monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) in a coordinated and transparent way. To that end, the Fisheries Compliance Specialist will support the Compliance Committee (CoC) in assessing the implementation status of GFCM recommendations and compliance related to the development of sustainable fisheries management and MCS requirements in line with the GFCM mandate.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide support to the GFCM CoC and its intersessional activities, including the drafting and editing documents on the implementation status of GFCM recommendations and data submission;
• Facilitate coordination with the CoC national focal points to obtain recently adopted national legislation and update the relevant GFCM Databases;
• Assist the GFCM Secretariat in updating the GFCM Decisions Database and collect data in line with the GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF);
• Assist the GFCM Secretariat in drafting relevant documents for the CoC 16th session, its working groups and ad-hoc meetings, workshops, etc.;
• Support the preparation activities of the Working Group on IUU Fishing, including a session on the clarification process;
• Assist in liaising with other RFMOs’ Secretariats to report to the CoC and the Commission on their practices regarding actions against non-compliance;
• Conduct legal and analytic research on topics related to the CoC work, MCS measures including control technologies;
• Carry out research on issues relating to the fight against IUU fishing at the regional level;
• Cooperate with the GFCM Secretariat in supporting outreach activities, including the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing;
• Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in public international law, international relations, fisheries biology or relevant field;
• At least one year of relevant experience in legal issues, including in relation to fisheries;
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for PSA, only working knowledge of English is required)

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in undertaking research and legal analysis of a range of compliance issues relating to sustainable fisheries development and relevant technical fields;
• Extent and relevance of experience in collection, analysis and input of fisheries data in relevant repositories;
• Familiarity with the work of RFMOs.

Selection Criteria

• Extent of knowledge of legal and compliance issues relating to sustainable fisheries development and relevant technical fields;
• Ability to analyze fisheries data (catch, bycatch, fleet vessel);
• Ability to carry out legal research and analysis;
• Extent of knowledge in the work of the RFMOs;
• Knowledge of Arabic, French, Spanish or Russian will be an asset;
• Advanced university degree in law or related fields will be asset;
• Ability to work independently, under time pressure and meet deadlines;
• Thoroughness and reliability, sense of diplomacy and tact.
• Level of communications skills (both oral and written) and drafting skills in relevant languages

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

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