Fishery Officer (Data Coordination)

The Fishery Officer (Data Coordination) leads the development, coordination and continuous improvement of fisheries and aquaculture data management systems and processes within the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). The role supports evidence-based decision-making by ensuring timely collection, quality assurance, analysis, and dissemination of relevant data and information to support scientific advice, policy-making and programme implementation.

Responsibilities

• Researches, analyses and provides access to fisheries and aquaculture technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related data, and information and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of fisheries and aquaculture programmes, projects, products, publications and services.
• Produces a variety of technical data, statistics, information and reports, as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and initiatives, and/or assessments; provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/economic/environmental/ nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members, such as organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Oversees data processes, conducts data analysis and produces statistical outputs, indicators and data products to support scientific advice, policy-making and programme implementation, fostering collaboration and maintaining effective working relationships with Members, partners, other RFMOs and relevant institutions on data issues.
• Contributes to evidence-based decision-making through the provision of high-quality data, analyses and information products.
• Manages the GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) and the GFCM System for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SIPAM), supporting the work of the GFCM scientific advisory committees and compliance committee as well as contributing to capacity development efforts.
• Supports the team within the GFCM Secretariat in charge of overseeing the collection, transmission, management, analysis and dissemination of relevant data and information, including by providing advice to the Executive Secretary and reporting to the GFCM membership.
• Reinforces data workflows, standards, protocols and tools to support the full data lifecycle, including data validation, storage, processing, dissemination and use and ensure proper documentation of data systems, processes and metadata to support transparency, reproducibility and institutional knowledge.
• Coordinates within the Secretariat the specification, testing and continuous improvement of data and information platforms, digital services, and data collection systems and methodologies, ensuring harmonization of data calls, alignment with their intended management and use, and promoting interoperability across GFCM systems and data sources.
• Informs the development, enhancement and maintenance of relevant fisheries and aquaculture data management systems, databases and associated tools, ensuring they are robust, efficient, secure and fit for purpose.
• Applies and further develops data quality assurance and quality control procedures, including automated validation and cross-checking mechanisms, and coordinates the integration and curation of fisheries and aquaculture data from Members and other sources, ensuring timeliness, completeness and consistency.
• Facilitates data access, exchange and dissemination in line with institutional policies, coordinates responses to internal and external data requests, and provides technical advice, analytical support and guidance within the Secretariat, subsidiary bodies and Members to strengthen data use, interpretation and national data collection and management systems, including by preparing and disseminating technical and policy documents, including working papers, reports, and knowledge products.
• Promotes best practices, innovation and harmonization in fisheries and aquaculture data management; contributes to strategic planning related to data assets, systems and innovation within the Secretariat.
• Supports the implementation of GFCM data governance frameworks, including data standards, access rules and confidentiality provisions.
• Designs and delivers trainings, workshops and materials on data standards, tools, systems and methodologies.
• Assists in resource mobilization and project development aspects related to data systems, digital innovation and analytics.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fishery science, statistics, development economics, sustainable agriculture (including fisheries) or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in fisheries or bio-statistics, with a focus on data processes, including the collection and management at national, regional or international level of data and information.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Experience in fisheries and/or aquaculture statistics as well as in supporting sound data collection management, analysis and dissemination for decision-making.
• Experience in designing and implementing data quality assurance and quality control frameworks, including automated validation and verification procedures.
• Experience in data analytics, statistical modelling, indicator development, data visualization and the production of evidence-based information products.
• Expertise in diverse data management systems, databases and other tools.
• Experience in the provision of technical assistance to varied recipients on relevant data processes, including data and information management, data analysis and data quality.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with governments and organizations, including through the provision of technical support and advice on data and related institutional issues.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and providing advice to senior officials, including on resource management aspects.
• Familiarity with the role played by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations in the collection, management and reporting of relevant data and information.

Skills

• Fisheries Science
• Biostatistics
• Data Collection Management
• Fisheries Statistics
• Aquaculture Statistics
• Data Quality Assurance
• Automated Data Validation
• Data Analytics
• Statistical Modelling
• Indicator Development
• Data Visualization
• Evidence-based Reporting
• Data Management
• Database Management
• Technical Assistance
• Stakeholder Liaison
• Multi-disciplinary Team Leadership
• Resource Management Advice
• Regional Fisheries Management Organizations

Languages

English, French