Request for Expression of Interest – Fishery Assistant
The Government of the Republic of Maldives through the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources is implementing Maldives –Transforming Fisheries Sector Management in South-West Indian Ocean Region and Maldives Project financed by the World Bank. The aim of the Project is to strengthen regional, evidence-based fisheries management in the South-West Indian Ocean Region and to improve competitiveness in the fisheries sector in the Maldives.
As part of this project, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources seek 02 individuals for the position of Fishery Assistant.
COMPONENT 1: Enhance Evidence-based Management Advice to the Fisheries Sector in the South-West Indian Ocean Region (implemented by the IOC)
1.1. Promoting the Development and Coordination of Relevant Innovative Regional Research with a Focus on Capacity Development Programs and Initiatives
1.2. Coordinating and Consolidating Regional Cooperation for Evidence-based Advice on Management of Fisheries and Other Uses of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
1.3. Linking and Coordinating the Fisheries Initiatives and Programs in the Region
COMPONENT 2: Supporting Maldives as the Catalyst for Strengthened Regional Capacity for Fisheries Governance and Management
2.1. Improved and Innovative Implementation, Enforcement and Monitoring of Fisheries Management Plans and Sharing Results with SWIO Countries
2.2. Augmented Comprehensive Quarantine, Disease Surveillance and Management and Experience Sharing with SWIO Countries
2.3. Skills and Capacity Building for Supporting Enterprise Development in Fisheries Sector
2.4. Augmentation of Project Management Capacity of MoFOR including Building Capacities for Enhanced Regional Cooperation
COMPONENT 3: Enhanced Competitiveness and Private Sector Participation for improving Business Climate for Fisheries in Maldives and the South-West Indian Ocean Region
3.1. Decarbonization of the Fisheries Sector
3.2. Diversification/Expansion of Fisheries Sector through Facilitating Small and Medium Enterprise Businesses
OBJECTIVES OF ASSIGNMENT
The Project Management Unit (PMU) wishes to contract Fishery Assistant to support the science activities of component 2 (Improved and innovative implementation, enforcement and monitoring of fisheries management plans and sharing results with SWIO countries) of the Project. The objective of the assignment is to support the Research Assistant and Research and Science Specialist to implement the science activities to be undertaken under the component.
The relevant and respective activities of the Project include: (a) scientific monitoring of the tuna and non-tuna fisheries to contribute to the enhanced understanding of the fishery and stock status of the species; (b) scientific observation of fishing trips to understand the operational aspects of fishing trips in detail; (c) biological studies on key reef, tuna and live-bait species important for the Maldives fisheries; (d) resource assessment of key species in the reef associated fisheries; (e) population structure and connectivity of key reef and live-bait species; (f) documenting the fishing grounds and seasonality of tuna and non-tuna fisheries and (g) establish baseline population information for data limited invertebrate species.
The Fishery Assistant will be expected to report to the Research and Science Specialist and to work closely with the Research Assistant and other members of the PMU, technical staff of MoFOR and MMRI as well as with the project members from the World Bank.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY
The overall responsibilities of the Fishery Assistant include, but are not limited to the following:
The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews, submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their ability.
The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the project. S/he must be willing to work in a team, be able to travel to outer islands for field work, be comfortable in working on fishing vessels at sea and be flexible to emerging or changing conditions and undertake initiative to overcome challenges. S/he must be able to swim and snorkel as s/he will be travelling and be on sea going and fishing vessels for field work.
Duration of the assignment is 36 months from the commencement of the works with potential extension based on performance. The successful candidate is expected to commence the services in November 2025.
This position is based at the Project Office of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources in Male’ with travel to Islands vessels or field visits as maybe required.