Vacancy Announcement

Deadline for Application: 14/12/2020

Aquaculture and Fish Processing and Product Development Specialist

Organizational Setting
FAO in collaboration with the government, UN-organizations and development partners began serving both the host communities and Rohingya population in building their livelihoods and skill development opportunities in Cox’s Bazar from October 2017. As continuation of the crisis response intervention, the European Union (EU) funded EU-FAO PROACT Project titled ‘Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar will be promoting economic inclusion and strengthening local supply chains and markets, as well as development of private sector partnership across the sub-sectors of crop production and fisheries.

The PROACT project contributes in improving households’ nutrition in introducing nutrition sensitive activities and develop opportunities for host communities to economically benefit from markets created by the presence of Rohingya. In addition, the project continues FAO’s commitment to environmental rehabilitation and economic support for the local communities. The restoration of environmental balance to the targeted area is a core commitment in creating sustainable livelihoods.

Reporting Lines
The Aquaculture and Fish Processing and Product Development Specialist is a SC 09 position and will work under the overall supervision guidance of the FAO Head of Sub-Office, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the Team Leader, the incumbent will be responsible in enhancing pond fish farming, strategies and support to the improved aquaculture practices for the fish farmers in increasing production as well as households’ income. S/he will be also responsible in providing technical support to the small dry fish processing entrepreneurs and develop skills of the workers in producing and marketing of safe dry fish.

Technical Focus
The Aquaculture and Fish Processing and Product Development Specialist will provide aquaculture technical support to the project beneficiaries and implementing partners and stakeholders for a sustainable production and market systems approach. The incumbent will facilitate the activities for increasing fish production, strengthen value chains and improve households’ nutrition and income. S/he will be responsible to support small-scale dry entrepreneurs in producing safe dry fish production maintaining hygienic conditions at work place. 

Tasks and responsibilities

Specific Tasks on Aquaculture

  • Promote climate resilient aquaculture production technologies that will address food security increasing aquaculture farming households’ participation, especially women in aquaculture farming systems and markets in improving their nutritional levels and households’ income;
  • Provide technical support in aquaculture activities of the project;
  • Provide support to the aquaculture farmers’ group formation process in liaison  with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and other development partners through proper communication and information sharing;
  • Develop the capacities of the identified beneficiaries based on the needs assessment and provide inputs support in promoting aquaculture farming activities as appropriate;
  • Adopt an integrated approach that links sustainable pond fish production, households’ nutrition and resilience efforts to  the aquaculture farming communities;
  • With a focus on on-farm research, coordinate participatory trials and demonstration on improved fish production in commercial purposes;
  • Take lead in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops, conferences, seminars and field visits for aquaculture activities of the project; 

Specific Tasks on Fish Processing and Product Development

  • Promote safe dry fish production technologies that will enhance the capacity of the small scale entrepreneurs in increasing business growth and support the workers, especially the women in improving their livelihoods;
  • Develop an appropriate model and provide technical assistance to the small scale entrepreneurs in safe dry fish processing and marketing activities;
  • Provide technical support to implement the project activities on dry fish processing and other related aquaculture projects of FAO Cox’s Bazar in collaboration government and other development partners;
  • Identify training needs for the government and implementing partners’ staff and support to build the capacity of the small-scale dry fish entrepreneurs and their workers on safe dry fish production;
  • Take lead in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops, conferences, seminars and field visits for dry fish processing activities of the project; 

Other Tasks

  • Contribute in the planning of project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines;
  • Provide technical support to partners on best ways to manage pond aquaculture systems in the challenging agro-ecological zones;
  • Work closely with public and private sector partners to develop innovative approaches to extend and scale-out pond fish farmers’ access to new technologies and management practices;
  • Collect and analyse relevant technical, social, economic, environmental and technology related information and data to support the delivery of the project’s products and services and publishing of the results in journals and / or conference proceedings;
  • Assist the project Team Leader and the MEAL team in the development and implementation of the technical, analytical, and reporting frameworks and related methodologies, approaches and tools to support the planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring of the project;
  • Perform other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • Master’s degree in aquaculture, fisheries, marine science or related field;
  • Minimum of Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional work experiences with the United Nations or international development organizations on aquaculture, market system, or marine fisheries and environmental conservation.
  • National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills

  • Experiences in working for value-added fish products, services, and recommendations to partners and stakeholders on improved pond fish farming systems;
  • Knowledge in working for farm trials, demonstrations and research projects on climate adaptive pond aquaculture ;
  • Proven track record of successful teamwork, good presentation/facilitation skills;
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills required;
  • Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision;
  • Self-motivation, willingness to learn and strong work ethics in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Duty station: Bangladesh-Coxs Bazaar.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
  • Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
  • For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
  • For further information on categories, contract duration, and honoraria; please refer to the Conditions page.

HOW TO APPLY

  • To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.
  • Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
  • The subject must refer to “Application for the position of “Aquaculture and Fish Processing and Product Development Specialist”
  • Vacancies will be removed from the recruitment portal at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for the application date. We encourage applicants to apply well before the deadline date.
  • If you need help or have queries, please contact:iRecruitment@fao.org

All recruitment to FAO posts are made on a competitive and transparent basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply directly to FAO and follow the instructions on the above-mentioned website. Please note that no intermediary is allowed to expedite or facilitate such process. All those who represent themselves as such are fraudulent and should be reported to FAO immediately.

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.