The FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) has been supporting several interventions linked with the Fishery sectors of the Southwest Indian Ocean and, South-East Atlantic as well as with the Inland Fishery sectors in Southern Africa. Within SFS, its Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Coordination Unit and Team provides and coordinates technical leadership, supervision and support to the several Fishery-related programmes and projects. The main objective of the team, established in December 2021, is to provide technical support to countries in Southern Africa to optimize positive development impacts on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors as well as the wider blue economy.

The post is in the SFS Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Coordination Team. The unit is guided by instruments that promote and apply good practice including the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries amongst others that are relevant to capture fisheries and aquaculture development. The unit is technically and scientifically supporting projects and initiatives including capture fisheries and aquaculture expertise.

The SFS Fisheries and Aquaculture Coordination Unit is seeking to attract technical expertise to populate a roster of consultants and subscribers with a variety of profiles, which can be called upon when their expertise is required, ensuring a transparent and rigorous selection process, to support the implementation of technical and scientific activities. Inclusion in the database does not guarantee a contract with FAO..

Reporting Lines

The technical specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa / FAO Representative for Eswatini, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, with direct supervision from SFS Fishery Officer.

Technical Focus

Within fishery and natural resources development expertise, the technical areas/profiles covered will be as follows : Capture fisheries and aquaculture technology and related techniques; socio-economics, economics, finance and accounting; value-chain assessment and development; post-harvest processing and loss reduction; business management and operation; marketing; engineering; techniques; genetics; feed formulation and manufacturing; innovation and digitalisation; Governance, planning and law; sector management and participation; science and research, fisheries assessment; monitoring control and surveillance; project management, administration and operations, and programmes/projects design and development.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the preparation and implementation of technical and scientific activities and relevant outputs including technical and scientific materials in his/her area of specialisation to promote sustainable capture fisheries, aquaculture and natural resources management and development.
• Provide specialist advice and support to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Coordination Unit and other relevant Units and teams in his/her area of technical expertise.
• Design and support research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities.
• Collaborate with relevant FAO HQ and RAF technical teams and colleagues.
• As applicable, organize and participate in missions and other events in support of the delivery of activities including training, capacity building, participatory and consultative processes, and technical assistance to initiatives.
• Contribute to knowledge management and sharing of information of the SFS Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Coordination Unit as well as other relevant units.
• Perform any other duties that relate to his/her area of technical expertise.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•  University degree in fisheries science, aquaculture, natural resources management, biology, aquatic sciences,  veterinary, social science, administrative/financial management, information management, international studies, law, or related fields; .
•    Five years of relevant work experience in fisheries management & development or natural resources management
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
•    National of Zimbabwe or resident in the county with a legal work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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