National Project Personnel – Fisheries, Aquaculture & Marine Resource Management

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Background

COVID-19 public health measures such affected livelihoods and incomes of poor and vulnerable groups, such as fishing communities especially women fish processors and fishmongers. This group experienced income and livelihood shock emanating from closure of fish markets, social distance and travel bans to stem the spread of COVID-19. Thus, this project will contribute to ensuring sustainable livelihoods, food security, nutrition, and income security among fishing communities especially women fishmongers and processors in 15 coastal fishing communities in three counties in Liberia.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance and leadership of the FAO Representative in Liberia, the technical supervision of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer of FAO Sub-regional Office for West Africa, and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR for Programme.

Technical Focus

The National Project Personnel on Fisheries, Aquaculture & Marine Resource Management will provide both technical and operational support for all programmatic interventions related to the development of fisheries, aquaculture, and marine.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Lead the implementation of the “Livelihood Empowerment of Women in Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) during and after COVID-19” (GCP/LIR/031/JPN), under the auspices of FAO Liberia and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), through the following:

• Support the hiring and deployment of project staff.
• Lead Beneficiaries identification, registration, and organization into groups suitable for community fish processing activities.
• Lead the organization and rollout of Project inception and launch.
• Coordinate the conduct needs assessment and mapping of fishmongers and processors associations and groups including targeted scenario analysis of the fisheries subsector.
• Support the procurement and distribution of fish hygiene, handling, transformation and distribution kits to fishmongers and processor organizations.
• Coordinate the training of fish mongers and processors associations, government officials, CSOs, and fishing community leaders on improved fish hygiene and best practices in fish handling, processing and distribution and COVID-19 measures.
• Support the disinfection of fish markets and landing sites, provision of hygiene facilities, PPEs, raising awareness, and dissemination of COVID-19 health and safety messages among fish sellers.
• Support the construction of improved processing facilities including the FAO- FTT kilns and fish drying racks for women fishmongers.
• Provide technical training for fish processors on FTT while integrating COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
• Lead the provision of improved storage facilities (solar freezers, fish iceboxes, salting containers) to fishmongers.
• Coordinate the conduct of training on the use and maintenance of FTTs and other small-scale post-harvest equipment and infrastructure.
• Support the provision of training to selected fisheries experts, staff from NaFAA, members of fishing groups and associations on how to construct FTTs.
• Support the training of selected journalists on reporting of IUU and COVID-19 impact on livelihoods of coastal communities.
• Facilitate South-south knowledge exchange and learning for fishmongers and female fish processors and Project staff.
• Organize an awareness campaign on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), the PSMA and IUU fishing.
• Organize one practical interagency operations trainings using live activities (vessel arrivals, implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed under the MOU).
• Provide periodic financial and narrative reports (monthly, quarterly, end-of-project) as required

Support the FAO Liberia Programme Unit, with:

• Providing substantive technical input for the implementation of fisheries and aquaculture related projects, including the preparation of progress reports and other technical documents as required;
• Drafting two concept notes targeting resource mobilization for the development of the shrimp fisheries management plan and potential aquaculture production opportunities;
• Supporting the organization and participate in field missions and other events in support of the delivery of Liberia Fisheries and Aquaculture programme of work, including for consultation, training, capacity building and technical assistance to beneficiaries of FAO support programmes and projects;
• Contributing to relevant studies, publications and analyses, knowledge products and dissemination materials related to Liberia Fisheries and Aquaculture areas of work, including guidelines, capacity building and training material;
• Ensuring the visibility of all the Liberia Fisheries and Aquaculture work, through publication of press releases, articles, newsletters and reports and social media posts (website, Blue Growth blog, Twitter, etc.).Supporting overall delivery of programme activities, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in fisheries, aquaculture, biology, marine science, statistics, economics, or relevant field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in fisheries and/or aquaculture statistics, information, socio-economics, national assessments or related fields (including development, humanitarian, resilience programmes).

• Good understanding of country, regional and global fisheries related issues.
• Fluent in English and working knowledge of French.
• Candidates must be nationals of Liberia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in conducting assessment on fisheries and aquaculture related issues.
• Strong ability to organise training and awareness workshops, including the preparation of knowledge materials and participatory activities.
• Ability to work in teams within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work under stress and ensure work life balance.

Selection Criteria

• Extend of experience in the Agriculture and fisheries & aquaculture related issues.
• Independent worker and excellent skills working as part of a team.
• Very high skills/knowledge of background related to the ToR’s Requirements.
• Experience with FAO or other UN agencies’ systems and administration procedures for technical cooperation activities is desirable.