Project Overview

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) OurFish OurFuture Project is a cooperative agreement awarded by USAID that seeks to address the drivers of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that are degrading coastal fisheries and biodiversity and negatively impacting local livelihoods, food stability, and maritime security in the Pacific Islands region. The five-year project (2021-2026) is implemented by the University of Rhode Island (URI) in collaboration the Locally-Managed Marine Areas Network International Trust (LMMA), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and The University of the South Pacific (USP). The project aims to collaborate closely with the Pacific Community (SPC), other fisheries organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs), and relevant government authorities focusing at regional, national and community levels across six countries in Micronesia and Melanesia: Palau, the Federated States of Melanesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands (SI), and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Role

The Senior Regional Fisheries advisor will provide leadership in fisheries science, monitoring, learning, and policy.  The Senior Regional Fisheries Advisor will liaise with in-country fisheries experts as well as regional partners. The position will be under contract with URI and reports to the Chief of Party. The position location will be at the University of Rhode Island (URI) foreign branch office in Suva, Fiji. The position will work closely with all OurFish OurFuture program staff located at both the University of Rhode Island (URI) Coastal Resources Centre (CRC) Office in Rhode Island, USA, and the Suva, Fiji, URI Foreign Branch.

Key Responsibilities

Technical

• Monitor all fisheries related activities and other responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and identify challenges and solutions to issues which might impede implementation.
• Coordinate closely with the Regional MEL Advisor and provide leadership and advise related to fisheries data and science.
• Coordinate with the Communications Specialist to ensure technical quality of project reports and communications products.
• Maintain regular communication with in-country fisheries leaders, scientists, experts, and extension teams.
• Provide fisheries expert guidance during activity implementation, work planning and during Pause and Reflect sessions.
• Provide training sessions and capacity building support as required.
• Contribute to quarterly and annual reports to USAID; attend planning meetings with USAID.
• Coordinate and consult with government agencies, donor projects, and working groups working within the fisheries sphere.

Finance and administration

• Assist in preparing scopes of work related to fisheries data, monitoring, learning, capacity building, and policy development.
• Contribute to project planning, including the development of annual work plans and budgets; help guide and oversee the alignment of the budget to expected results.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree required in a field related to fisheries. PhD in relevant discipline would be an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in fisheries science, capacity development, and/or policy.
• Proven experience in a role working on fisheries related topics in a project of similar size and complexity.
• Work experience in the Pacific Islands and knowledge of the regional and local political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with government stakeholders, international donors, and local partners at the national and sub-national levels.
• Ability to travel frequently to and across the Pacific Islands region, as required.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Authorized to work in Fiji preferred.

Compensation & Benefits:

An attractive package will be offered to the successful candidate based on appropriate qualifications, experience and skills.

Contract Duration:

Contract duration is for 1 year and to be renewed annually upon positive annual performance through the end of this project being October 2026.

Job Description

For more information on the role and job description, please email info@ourfish.crcuri.org

How to Apply:

To apply please email all of the following, in order, in one single PDF file to the OurFish Chief of Party on email only at rjimmy@ourfish.crcuri.org and cc the CRC Project Manager at pfreeman@uri.edu:

• Cover letter
• Resume or CV (must include contacts of 3 recent referees)

Deadline: Application will close at 4.00pm (Fiji Time) on 26 May 2024. The position remains open until filled. 

This Project follows US Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity laws and does not discriminate in consideration or hiring of individuals.