Project Officer – Fisheries Economist

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve this objective, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver through, among others, the implementation of a new organizational structure and the filling of the vacant project position of Project Officer – Fisheries Economist in the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in Nairobi, Kenya. The Inter-African Bureau for Animal Health Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU).

The Commission of the African Union invites citizens of Member States to apply for the below specified position at the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources in Nairobi, Kenya.

Post

Job Title: Project Officer – Fisheries Economist
Grade: P3, Step 5
Supervisor: Chief Animal Production Officer
Duty Station: AU-IBAR: Nairobi, Kenya
Department: Rural Economy and Agriculture

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct technical supervision of the Chief Animal Production Officer at AU-IBAR, the incumbent will provide general technical support to the Project Team Leader.

The incumbent shall perform the following specific duties:

1. Assist in the coordination of the activities of the project implemented by AU-IBAR
2. Assist in implementing appropriate strategy to ensure effective communication with project stakeholders and implementing partners
3. Develop a strategy to update and develop market information relating to fish
4. Prepare regulatory, economic, statistical, and policy analyses and reports to inform fish trade policies and fisheries management
5. Develop framework for harmonization of fisheries trade policies, regulations traceability and certification mechanisms
6. Develop frameworks for improved traceability and certification of fish products
7. Assist in building capacity of competent authorities for accredited certification and compliance with regional and international fish import requirements
8. Strengthening capacity of AU Member States in fisheries improvement programmes for MSC and ASC eco-labelled certification for enhanced trade in seafood and aquaculture fish product
9. Conduct analysis of fisheries trade corridors,
10. Facilitate the development of coordinated positions of AU MS in forums of international standard setting organizations
11. Strengthening capacity of AU MS aquaculture practitioners in aquaculture business planning and development
12. Institutional strengthening fish trade information networks on the continent and linkage with African fisheries reform mechanism,
13. Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Educational Qualification Required

A Master of Science (Msc) Degree in economics, agricultural economics, resource economics or related discipline is required. A PhD in a related field is an added advantage.

Work Experience Required

1. At least 7 years proven working experience in marketing and trade of agriculture products in Africa
2. At least 3 years’ experience in donor funded marketing or trade related-project on in agricultural commodities
3. Sound knowledge on challenges and trade issues in fisheries of Africa
4. Proven knowledge on international trade and marketing issues in fish and fisheries products
5. Knowledge of regional and international instruments, strategies, frameworks, guidelines, tools etc. for agricultural commodity trade facilitation etc.
6. Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials and international development partners
7. Sound knowledge on roles of regional organizations (RECs, RFBs etc.)

Other Relevant Skills

• Professionalism: Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
• Planning and organizing: Ability to plan and organize work within a project and ability to make timely decisions. Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work;
• Communication: Effective analytical, written, oral and presentation skills, particularly the ability to present information in a concise yet accurate manner; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view; and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries.
• Teamwork: Good networker with the ability to maintain a positive and fruitful dialogue and relationship with the main institutions operating on the continent
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Language Requirement

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages is a must. Knowledge of one or several other working languages is an added advantage.

Tenure of Appointment

The appointment will be made on a short term contract for a period of eleven (11) months, of which the first three months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be renewed subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Gender Mainstreaming

The AU- IBAR is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$84,477.46 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$70,613.43 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website not later than 14 May 2016.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)