Fishery Officer (Data Coordination)
Grade: P-3
Organizational Setting
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) works with Members and partners to transform aquatic systems and promote the responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems. 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. Its main objective is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best use 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 and ensures these recommendations are implemented; coordinates efforts by countries to effectively manage fisheries and aquaculture; monitors the status of fishery resources and carries out scientific work to support advice and decision-making; coordinates and benefits from the support of projects and programmes at the regional and subregional levels to enhance scientific cooperation and capacity-building among its contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties.
Data and information are at the core of the GFCM's mandate to support the conservation, management and sustainable use of marine living resources and the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Reliable, timely and harmonized data underpin scientific assessments, management advice, monitoring of fisheries and aquaculture activities, and the evaluation of conservation and management measures. In this context, the Data Team is pivotal within the GFCM Secretariat, ensuring the effective collection, validation, quality assurance and control, integration, analysis, management and dissemination of data and information from across the region, for both fisheries and aquaculture. By strengthening data management, quality, analysis and accessibility, the Data Team enhances the GFCM's capacity to provide robust scientific evidence and advice, supporting informed and evidence-based decision-making, facilitating regional cooperation, transparency in data and information exchange and ultimately contributing to the achievement of the GFCM's strategic objectives.
The position is located in the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, Rome, Italy).
Reporting Lines
The Fishery Officer (Data coordination) reports and operates under the general supervision of the GFCM Executive Secretary, and in close collaboration with the technical staff of the GFCM Secretariat, both at GFCM headquarters and in the subregional technical units, transversally. She/he supervises a team of specialists dedicated to the implementation of the workplan related to the management, analysis, use and dissemination of fisheries and aquaculture data and information.
Technical Focus
Support the effective implementation and delivery of the GFCM mandate by leading the development, coordination and continuous improvement of fisheries and aquaculture data management systems and processes, by ensuring the timely collection, integration, quality assurance, analysis, use and dissemination of relevant data and information, as per GFCM requirements in place and in line with established priorities and adopted workplans. This includes providing technical leadership on data governance, supporting evidence-based decision-making, enhancing data interoperability and innovation, fostering collaboration with Members, partners and relevant organizations, and promoting data quality, harmonization, accessibility and transparency in support of GFCM scientific, management and compliance-related processes.
Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Key Functions
• Researches, analyses and provides access to fisheries and aquaculture technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related data, and information and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of fisheries and aquaculture programmes, projects, products, publications and services.
• Produces a variety of technical data, statistics, information and reports, as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and initiatives, and/or assessments; provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/economic/environmental/ nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members, such as organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Specific Functions
• Underpins the work of the GFCM by overseeing data processes, conducting data analysis and producing statistical outputs, indicators and data products to support scientific advice, policy-making and programme implementation, fostering collaboration and maintaining effective working relationships with Members, partners, other RFMOs and relevant institutions on data issues.
• Contributes to evidence-based decision-making through the provision of high-quality data, analyses and information products
• Manages the GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) and the GFCM System for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SIPAM), supporting the work of the GFCM scientific advisory committees and compliance committee as well as contributing to capacity development efforts.
• Supports the team within the GFCM Secretariat in charge of overseeing the collection, transmission, management, analysis and dissemination of relevant data and information, including by providing advice to the Executive Secretary and reporting to the GFCM membership.
• Reinforces data workflows, standards, protocols and tools to support the full data lifecycle, including data validation, storage, processing, dissemination and use and ensure proper documentation of data systems, processes and metadata to support transparency, reproducibility and institutional knowledge.
• Coordinates within the Secretariat the specification, testing and continuous improvement of data and information platforms, digital services, and data collection systems and methodologies, ensuring harmonization of data calls, alignment with their intended management and use, and promoting interoperability across GFCM systems and data sources.
• Informs the development, enhancement and maintenance of relevant fisheries and aquaculture data management systems, databases and associated tools, ensuring they are robust, efficient, secure and fit for purpose.
• Applies and further develops data quality assurance and quality control procedures, including automated validation and cross-checking mechanisms, and coordinates the integration and curation of fisheries and aquaculture data from Members and other sources, ensuring timeliness, completeness and consistency.
• Facilitates data access, exchange and dissemination in line with institutional policies, coordinates responses to internal and external data requests, and provides technical advice, analytical support and guidance within the Secretariat, subsidiary bodies and Members to strengthen data use, interpretation and national data collection and management systems, including by preparing and disseminating technical and policy documents, including working papers, reports, and knowledge products.
• Promotes best practices, innovation and harmonization in fisheries and aquaculture data management; contributes to strategic planning related to data assets, systems and innovation within the Secretariat.
• Supports the implementation of GFCM data governance frameworks, including data standards, access rules and confidentiality provisions.
• Designs and delivers trainings, workshops and materials on data standards, tools, systems and methodologies.
• Assists in resource mobilization and project development aspects related to data systems, digital innovation and analytics.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fishery science, statistics, development economics, sustainable agriculture (including fisheries) or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in fisheries or bio-statistics, with a focus on data processes, including the collection and management at national, regional or international level of data and information.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in fisheries and/or aquaculture statistics as well as in supporting sound data collection management, analysis and dissemination for decision-making.
• Extent and relevance of experience in designing and implementing data quality assurance and quality control frameworks, including automated validation and verification procedures.
• Extent and relevance of experience in data analytics, statistical modelling, indicator development, data visualization and the production of evidence-based information products.
• Extent of expertise in diverse data management systems, databases and other tools.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of technical assistance to varied recipients on relevant data processes, including data and information management, data analysis and data quality.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with governments and organizations, including through the provision of technical support and advice on data and related institutional issues.
• Extent and relevance of experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and provide advice to senior officials, including on resource management aspects.
• Familiarity with the role played by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations in the collection, management and reporting of relevant data and information.