Overview
The Senior Fishery Officer (Aquaculture) will contribute to the development and implementation of policies and work programs aimed at enhancing scientific advice for the GFCM on key aquaculture issues. The role involves fostering collaboration, leading capacity-building initiatives, and ensuring strategic coordination with GFCM Members and partner organizations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the work of the GFCM Aquaculture Team and Technical Advisory Groups.
- Provide strategic guidance on aquaculture development and oversee expert meetings, working groups, and regional events.
- Plan and guide multidisciplinary teams, ensuring effective collaboration on governance, economic, environmental, and social aspects of aquaculture.
- Oversee the preparation and implementation of work programmes, ensuring the delivery of scientific and technical advice.
- Ensure technical backstopping for GFCM aquaculture activities and field projects.
- Coordinate aquaculture activities within the Aquaculture Demonstration Centres.
- Design and implement capacity building programmes and technical assistance.
- Provide technical leadership on marine spatial planning, environmental monitoring, responsible investment, and aquaculture production management.
- Prepare and review technical documents, guidelines, reports, and recommendations.
- Foster collaboration with GFCM Members, observers, and partner organizations.
- Represent the GFCM in regional and international activities related to aquaculture.
Required Experience
- Ten years of relevant experience in aquaculture governance, policy development and strategic planning, with emphasis on marine and coastal aquaculture, hatchery systems and sustainable resource management.
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
- Proven expertise in regional aquaculture governance within RFMOs, particularly in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
- Extensive experience in marine spatial planning, environmental impact assessment, responsible investment and approaches to enhancing the social acceptability of aquaculture.
- Demonstrated leadership in coordinating regional or international aquaculture initiatives and developing policy and regulatory frameworks.
- In-depth knowledge of aquaculture development in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, with direct experience collaborating with national authorities, scientific institutions, producer organizations and industry stakeholders.
- Strong track record in supervising scientific and technical work, including guidelines, advisory frameworks and regulatory tools.
- Extensive experience in project evaluation, technical oversight and backstopping of aquaculture-related field activities.
- Demonstrated ability to design, manage and implement capacity building programmes and field projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration across institutions and expert networks.
Qualifications
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in aquaculture, marine science, fisheries science, environmental science or another field relevant to aquaculture governance and development.
