Organizational Setting
Cambodia has one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the world, significantly contributing to the food security and livelihoods of its people. Fish accounts for 76 percent of households’ animal protein intake and is the second most consumed food after rice, with an average consumption of 52.4 kg per person per year. As the most available and cheapest form of animal protein, fishing is an important safety net for vulnerable households.
However, Cambodian fisheries face sustainability challenges from illegal fishing, excessive fishing capacity, habitat destruction, and climate change. To address these issues, the European Union (EU) in collaboration with the Fisheries Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (FiA/MAFF) launched the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector (CAPFISH). This programme focuses on aquaculture and capture fisheries, aiming to support social and economic development, food security, and poverty reduction. The CAPFISH-Capture component supports the Royal Government of Cambodia's long-term goals for social and economic development, food security, and poverty reduction, as outlined in the Deep Fisheries Reforms and the National Strategic Development Plan.
FAO is currently providing technical support to CAPFISH-Capture in collaboration with line ministries and relevant institutions at national and sub-national levels particularly Fisheries Administration cantonments to improve fisheries conservation, management and compliance with fisheries laws and regulations including National Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Marines Fishing (NPOA-IUU) in the inland and marine domain as well as improving resilience of the fishing communities of the Tonle Sap and coastal areas.
Reporting Lines
The Technical Advisor (Monitoring, Control and Surveillance) reports to the FAO Representative in Cambodia, and will work under the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) from FAO-RAP and in collaboration with FAO HQ technical units and the Head of the FiA MCS unit. The Technical Advisor (Monitoring, Control and Surveillance) will be responsible for providing broad technical support to FiA.
Technical Focus
The Technical Advisor (Monitoring, Control and Surveillance) will provide technical support to the Fisheries Administration (both at national and subnational levels) and other selected Government agencies for MCS of marine fisheries in line with implementation of the framework provided by the National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUU) and the National Plan of Control and Inspection (NPCI).
Tasks and responsibilities
• Lead the roll out of the Vessel Monitoring System roadmap for Cambodia and provide support to FiA and service provider on installation scheduling of the second tranche of 800 VMS units, planning of coordination with local authorities and monitoring VMS reporting of new installations;
• Conduct ongoing training and support to FiA, the Inspectorate, and the Fisheries Administration Cantonment’s (FiAC) VMS unit of implementing Standard Operating Procedure to monitor the VMS system;
• Support FiA, Inspectorate and FiAC on the implementation of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) including PSMA training, including pre-notification procedure and process (and SOP developed), and practical in-port & on vessel training inspections and inspection form completion (a regional harmonized SOP developed);
• Lead the finalization of the updated National Plan of Action on IUU Fishing and incorporating the NPCI objectives and targets by closely working with FiA, and relevant stakeholders;
• Support the coordination and implementation of licensing and registration of fishing vessels by FiA, FiAC and other relevant government agencies;
• Lead the project support to FiA, Inspectorate, and FiACs monitoring control and surveillance activities through development of training manuals, Standard Operating Procedures, patrol planning using VMS and SMART generated data, such as heat maps;
• Support progress reporting and work planning and advise and support the planning and drafting of documentation pertaining to the project’s exit strategy or extension planning;
• Support FiA in the development of a draft Marine Spatial Plan to create fishing zones and dedicated fisheries management areas in the marine domain;
• Perform any other relevant duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in either the natural or social sciences including in any of the following fields: fisheries management, aquatic biology or ecology, fisheries or natural resources economics, fisheries technology, social development, fishery law or marine/freshwater affairs, or other fields related to fisheries resources, management and fisheries value chains
• At least ten years of relevant experience in international relations, providing support to national or international bodies, national or international secretariats
• Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
• Extent and relevance of experience with marine fisheries in particular fisheries governance, fisheries habitats, MCS, and fisheries research
• Familiarity with FAO and EU project procedures is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to build technical capacity of government counterparts and fisheries stakeholders
• Experience working in Cambodia or in south-east Asia is considered an asset