Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO's Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO's commitment to the sustainable management of aquatic resources and resilient fisheries is integral to its strategic objectives and operations.

Within the framework of the Advancing Sustainable Blue Crab Fisheries in Tunisia through “Expansion of social protection coverage and adequacy for the fisheries sector” (BLUE STEP) project, implemented by FAO in partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Fisheries and Ecosystem-Based Management for the Blue Economy of the Mediterranean (FishEBM MED) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by FAO and executed by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), FAO is supporting the collection of harmonized socioeconomic information on the blue crab fishery in Tunisia to strengthen fisheries management and value chain analysis.

The position will contribute to the implementation of socioeconomic surveys on the blue crab fishery in Tunisia (GSA14), covering both the blue swimming crab (Portunus segnis) and the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), under the technical guidance of FAO and the GFCM.

Reporting Lines

The National Fishery Specialist reports to the FAO Representative in Tunisia and the relevant FAO HQ and GFCM technical officers.

Technical Focus

Provides technical assistance for the planning, coordination and implementation of socioeconomic surveys and data collection activities through comprehensive database to support blue crab value chain analysis in Tunisia.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Prepare the local language translation of the questionnaire to be used during the fieldwork;
•    Assist in the development of a sampling strategy with the support of the GFCM Secretariat and operational plan for field implementation;
•    Perform at least 70 interviews with blue crab fishers for selected fishing vessels in the main ports landing blue crab in GSA 14, using the adapted GFCM/FAO standards survey (provided by the GFCM Secretariat);
•    Compile data in electronic format according to given template and provide the raw data to the supervisors;
•    Support the GFCM Secretariat in carrying out socio-economic data quality control and analysis, as necessary;
•    Assist in the coordination with the Seafood Value Chain Analysis Specialist through providing technical support to integrate fishing-sector socioeconomics information into the comprehensive value chain flow diagram and analysis; Where feasible, the questionnaire exercise will also collect relevant information on supporting actors (e.g. gear makers and other service providers) to identify their roles and linkages within the fishery.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in fisheries sciences or a related field
•    At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in fisheries management assessments, socioeconomic surveys implementation, fisheries research, or related fields, including demonstrated experience in conducting field data collection and data analysis in the fisheries sector
•    Working knowledge of English and French
•    National of Tunisia or resident of the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Proficiency in statistical and data analysis software
•    Experience with statistical packages such as R, Stata, SPSS, or other equivalent data analysis software
•    Excellent understanding of current national food security and fishery policies and practices in Tunisia
•    Be familiar with the socioeconomic questionnaire, its structure, sections and sampling strategy
•    Proficiency in database management
•    Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to work on group
•    Excellent writing skills and ability to synthesize
•    Experience working with UN agencies is an advantage
•    PhD is an asset