Job Description
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 in Africa. 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 in Africa. 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 Accra, Ghana
Reporting Lines
The Senior Fishery and Aquaculture Officer reports to the Deputy Regional Representative
Technical Focus
Fisheries management, aquaculture production, post harvest processing, fish trade, fishery products safety and quality
Key Results
Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Regional Programmes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with Regional objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives
Key Functions
- Plans, manages, or leads highly specialized or multi-disciplinary teams, leads, coordinates, and/or participates in Regional committees, project teams, and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies;
- Analyzes global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Objectives, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies;
- Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence based strategies, and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks;
- Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services;
- Provides technical and policy advice to Member countries and technical support to decentralized offices in the development and implementation of their programmes;
- Leads and/or 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, on-line tools;
- Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders;
- Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy;
- Performs other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in fisheries, aquaculture, economics or marine affairs with a specialization in fisheries management and/or governance or other field related to fisheries and aquaculture
- Ten years of relevant experience in fisheries management, aquaculture production, post harvest processing, fish trade, fishery products safety and quality, statistics and data management of fisheries, or related field
- Working knowledge of English or French and limited knowledge of the other
Competencies
- Results Focus
- Leading, Engaging and Empowering
- Communication
- Partnering and Advocating
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
- Strategic Thinking
Technical/Functional Skills
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential
- Extent and relevance of experience and/or knowledge in fisheries and aquaculture including related areas which may include fisheries policy, international relations, economics, trade, post-harvest processing, fishing industry, fisheries products in development or international organizations.
- Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of programmes in fisheries and aquaculture or related areas
- In depth understanding of the role of development and international organizations with competence in fisheries and aquaculture
- Ability to mobilize resources
- Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses
About the Organization
An intergovernmental organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts - to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.
