FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: RAPI-273-08-PRJ
Deadline For Application:  18 October 2008
Position Title Chief Technical Advisor
Duty Station Bangkok, Thailand
Grade Level P-5
Duration Fixed Term: 1 year (extendable to 5 years)
CCOG Code: 1H05
Organizational Unit Fisheries Unit, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAPI)
Fisheries Department (FI)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) will act as Secretariat to the Project Steering Committee (PSC). The RCU will coordinate work at the national level through the National Coordinators (NC) and at regional level through regional sub-contracting agencies or individuals. The RCU will be located at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok for the first year of the project and thereafter will move to a hosted location in one of the participating countries.

  • Under the general guidance of the ADG/RR FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the technical guidance of the Senior Fishery Officer (RAPI), the direct supervision of the Regional Coordinator and in consultation with relevant services in FAO HQ,; the Chief Technical Advisor will have the primary responsibility for all technical aspects of the Programme and will either conduct said work occurring at the regional level directly or will recruit and supervise regional and international experts to do so. Specifically he/she will:
  • Formulate and guide the implementation of the project; as required participate in the appraisal of the technical consultancies that shall be retained for specific activities under the responsibility of the RCU;
  • Supervise the development and implementation of an adequate information system and related databases;
  • Develop and ensure quarterly progress reports and contribute to the development of annual work plans;
  • Liaise and work closely with the BOBLME’s eight National Technical Advisers (NTAs);
  • Participate in the preparation of national work programmes in support of the development of the project’s annual work programme;
  • Provide technical support to NTAs and appropriate personnel in BOBLME relevant participating national technical agencies when requested through the NTA;
  • Represent the Project in relevant BOBLME technical meetings and conferences;
  • Fulfil the duties, responsibilities and functions of the Regional Coordinator as required; and
  • Prepare requests for proposals and bidding documents, terms of reference and performance contracts for, and supervision of, consultancies that shall be retained for specific activities under the responsibility of the RCU.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

N.B.: Promotion to this post is for duration of assignment only

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • Advanced university degree in marine fisheries, marine protected areas, living marine resources (or comparable field);
  • Ten years of relevant experience in the technical aspects of aquatic ecosystems and sustainable living resources management;
  • Working knowledge of English.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support and advice in large complex projects related to natural resources management in developing countries
  • Knowledge and experience in natural resources management in developing countries and ability to analyze related technical information
  • Experience and ability to work with international organizations/agencies
  • Ability to organize meetings and training activities
  • Familiarity with the Bay of Bengal region
  • Familiarity with UN agencies’ field programmes, procedures for project implementation
  • Experience in working in the BOB region and knowledge of its network of BOBLME relevant regional institutions;
  • Proven capacity to work and establish working relationships with government and non-government representatives;
  • Ability to take initiative and to work with minimum supervision; and
  • Experience in preparing project technical and financial reports for international donors;

Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A RAPI-273-08-PRJ
Simon Funge-Smith, Senior Fisheries Officer, RAPI
FAORAP Maliwan Mansion, 39 Pra Athit Rd., Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Fax No: +66-2-697-4445
E-mail: simon.fungesmith@fao.org

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

  FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

  Post Number: N/Unidentified