Hygienic seafood and Processing Specialist

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

FAO Myanmar is implementing a project under a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) titled “Enhancing Resilience and strengthening livelihoods of small-scale fishery communities in Rakhine State” to improve sustainable fishery production by strengthening the capacity of SSF (Small Scale Fisheries) organizations and fishing communities. The project will be implemented through the utilization of existing resources being developed by GCP/GLO/965/SWE and GCP/MYA/020/LDF projects to provide a number of trainings to small-scale fishers and leaders of SSF associations who will become Master Trainers and train project beneficiaries. The training will focus on fishery resource management linking with the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAFM) framework and good post-harvest practices and social development of SSF, gender, nutrition, food hygiene, COVID-19 safety measures as well as build capacities in the Eco-system approach to Fisheries (EAFM).
The main objective is to improve SSF households’ knowledge of and skills in hygienic seafood production and post-harvest practices. The project will also enhance the good manufacturing practices of small-scale fishing communities and women’s groups engaging in seafood post-harvesting and processing. The main purpose of this consultancy is to improve the quality and safety of seafood products from small-scale producers in the Bogalay Township, Ayeyarwady Region.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision and guidance of FAO Representative in Myanmar, director supervision of Assistant FAOR (Programme), technical guidance of Lead Technical Officer, HQ technical officer, and in close coordination with other international and national staff, implementation partners as well as FAO Myanmar other project’s technical specialists, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Technical Focus

This assignment is to identify the barriers to hygienic seafood production and improve processing methods relevant to the current market conditions and small-scale fisheries. Moreover, it is to prepare a training manual on fish quality, safety, and post-harvest handling targeting small-scale fish producers and handlers in the Bogalay Township. This will ensure the food safety and hygiene of fish and fishery products, reducing post-harvest losses.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop a work plan for promoting SSF Guidelines implementation in Myanmar
• Create synergy with the ongoing GCP/GLO/965/SWE project and the achievements of the suspended GEF-funded GCP/MYA/020/LDF project.

More specifically, the incumbent will complete the following tasks:

• Review relevant documents and information including the hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system, good manufacturing practices, nationally accepted standards, and existing fish quality and safety manuals and protocols held in different national and regional agencies.
• Conduct field data collection, collate, analyze, and synthesize the existing information on fisheries products quality, safety, and proper handling to identify issues and challenges facing the small-scale fish producers and fish handlers and how they can be addressed.
• Develop a hygienic seafood production and processing training manual that takes into consideration the needs of small-scale fishers.
• Participate in training for SSF women groups that engage in seafood post-harvesting and processing.
• Finalize and submit the training manual and report.
• Meeting with colleagues and participating in consultations with relevant actors working on small-scale fisheries in coastal areas of Myanmar (including international and regional networks), including providing communication materials and information, as appropriate.

The incumbent will be home-based and report directly to the NFIFL Lead Technical Officer (LTO) for the SSF Guidelines.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited university or similar institution of higher education in fisheries, aquaculture, biology, ecology, environmental management, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Nationals of Myanmar.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• 10 years’ experience is desirable.
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Relevant advanced degree specifically referred to Fisheries, Biology, or Aquatic Natural Resources.
• Knowledge of seafood safety regulations and standards.
• Proficiency in sorting, inspecting, weighing, and packing seafood items.
• Familiarity with various fish species and processing procedures.
• Experience working with fisheries stakeholders at different levels (communities to authorities) and relevant developmental approaches that support better management of aquatic resources.
• Experience in Myanmar and/or SE Asian countries.
• Experience with UN agencies.
• Expertise in small-scale fisheries in Myanmar or SE Asian countries, including experience with extension services, and facilitation of adoption of novel approaches.
• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, from land users to ministerial staff on capacity-building opportunities.
• Experience in designing and drafting training materials.
• Experience in assessing aquatic resources management needs.
• Extent of relevant experience with internationally funded projects (FAO/UN/GEF desirable).

Selection Criteria

• Good knowledge and experience in hygienic seafood production and processing.
• Experience in working with UN or international development organizations
• Experience in engaging with fishers, private sector and other relevant stakeholders
• Experiences in translation of technical guidelines English to Myanmar and Myanmar to English
• Experience in writing concept note or project proposal
• Demonstrated ability to organize the implementation of complex tasks
• Demonstrated ability to work for meeting the deadlines and under pressure
• Excellent communication in both oral and written English as well as Myanmar language
• Willingness and ability to travel to rural areas.

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).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
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• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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