2016_01: Secrétaire exécutif de la Réunion des Parties à l’Accord des pêcheries du sud de l’océan Indien (APSOI)

South Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement – EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Executive Secretary

KEY FUNCTION: To ensure the efficient and effective operation of the new South Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) Secretariat

LOCATION: Saint-Denis de La Réunion, La Reunion Island, France

DURATION: Fixed term: 4 years with the possibility of one renewal

SALARY RANGE: The Executive Secretary’s remuneration is expected to be in the range on the United Nations salary scale for a P5 agent

Context

The Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) was signed in Rome the 7^th July 2006 and entered into force in June 2012. So far, SIOFA has been ratified by Australia, the Cook Islands, , the European Union, France on behalf of its Indian Ocean Territories, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and New Zealand are also signatories to this Agreement but have not ratified it.

The objectives of this Agreement are to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the Area through cooperation among the Contracting Parties, and to promote the sustainable development of fisheries in the Area, taking into account the needs of developing States bordering the Area that are Contracting Parties to this Agreement, and in particular the least developed among them and small-island developing States.

The first Meeting of the Parties, the Agreement’s decision-making body, was held in Australia in October 2013. The second Meeting of the Parties, held in Mauritius in March 2015, agreed to base the Headquarters in La Réunion, a French Department and outermost region of the EU, in the Indian Ocean.

An Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties took place in Brussels in October 2015. Important decisions were taken for the functioning of this new regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO), notably the adoption of the Rules of Procedures and Terms of Reference for three subsidiary bodies, putting SIOFA on track to become a fully effective RFMO.

Contracting Parties agreed that the EU would assume responsibility for the Interim Secretariat until the next Meeting of the Parties. The Executive Secretary shall be selected during the third Meeting of the Parties in La Réunion in June 2016, on the basis of a procedure agreed in Brussels in October 2015.

Purpose

The purpose of the position is to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the SIOFA Secretariat during the first years of the Organisation in its Headquarters in La Reunion. The Executive Secretary will be accountable to, and report to, the Meeting of the Parties.

Qualifications and prior experience

The prospective candidate should have:

• University-level qualifications, preferably at post-graduate level, in a relevant field. Relevant fields include fisheries management, marine biology, economics, international law and/or international relations.
• At least ten years relevant experience in fisheries management policy or policy formulation and implementation or multilateral relations.
• The ability to exercise a high degree of professional initiative and autonomy.
• Experience in the organization of international meetings, staff management, as well as the preparation and management of budgets, working documents and reports.
• High level diplomatic and representations skills to represent the organisation regionally and internationally as required; an excellent command of English. Preference may be given to candidates who also have a good working knowledge of French.
• Other essential requirements include competence in the selection of staff.
• Desirable requirements include: a high degree of adaptability and ability to cooperate effectively with people of different nationalities and of various social and cultural backgrounds and education levels, as well as experience on fisheries related issues.

Functions and duties

The functions of the Executive Secretary are described in the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) Rules of Procedure, as follows:

Rule 9 – Executive Secretary’s functions and duties

1. The Executive Secretary shall assist the Meeting of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies in fulfilling their respective tasks.
2. The Executive Secretary shall:

1. a)have full power and authority over the Secretariat subject to the general supervision of the Meeting of the Parties and within the provisions of any staff regulations;
2. b)receive notifications of the designated representatives, alternate representatives, experts and advisers atmeetings and report thereon to the Meeting of the Parties as required;
3. c)maintain a list of the Official Contacts;
4. d)perform all duties assigned to him or her in the Financial Regulations;
5. e)delegate to Secretariat staff any administrative duties as he or she may consider necessary for the effective implementation of his or her responsibilities in accordance with any staff regulations to be agreed by the Meeting of the Parties;
6. f)manage the collection and sharing of data and information in accordance with standards, rules and procedures determined by the Meeting of the Parties pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the Agreement;

1. g)keep the Meeting of the Parties informed of any issues or matters which may be of interest to them;

2. h)communicate with other relevant regional fisheries management organisations / arrangements; and

1. i)perform such other functions as may be assigned to him or her by the Meeting of the Parties.

3. While holding this position, an Executive Secretary shall not perform the duties of a representative, alternate representative, expert or adviser of a Contracting Party or a participating fishing entity.

THE ORGANIZATION

The Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) was signed in Rome the 7^th July 2006 and entered into force in June 2012. So far, SIOFA has been ratified by Australia, the Cook Islands, , the European Union, France on behalf of its Indian Ocean Territories, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and New Zealand are also signatories to this Agreement but have not ratified it.

The objectives of this Agreement are to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the Area through cooperation among the Contracting Parties, and to promote the sustainable development of fisheries in the Area, taking into account the needs of developing States bordering the Area that are Contracting Parties to this Agreement, and in particular the least developed among them and small-island developing States.

The first Meeting of the Parties, the Agreement’s decision-making body, was held in Australia in October 2013. The second Meeting of the Parties, held in Mauritius in March 2015, agreed to base the Headquarters in La Réunion, a French Department and outermost region of the EU, in the Indian Ocean.

An Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties took place in Brussels in October 2015. Important decisions were taken for the functioning of this new regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO), notably the adoption of the Rules of Procedures and Terms of Reference for three subsidiary bodies, putting SIOFA on track to become a fully effective RFMO.

Contracting Parties agreed that the EU would assume responsibility for the Interim Secretariat until the next Meeting of the Parties. The Executive Secretary shall be selected during the third Meeting of the Parties in La Réunion in June 2016, on the basis of a procedure agreed in Brussels in October 2015. You will find this procedure in the report of the extraordinary session in Brussels (annex 9, pages 52-58).

The reports of the three SIOFA sessions can be downloaded on this site.

THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

You will find a detailed job description of the SIOFA Executive Secretary on this site.

The Executive Secretary’s remuneration is expected to be in the range on the United Nations salary scale for a P5 agent.

The Executive Secretary will benefit from provisions of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of the United Nations of 21 November 1947 (subject to specific exceptions to the FAO provided in Annex 2). These privileges and immunities granted to the SIOFA will be realized in a headquarters agreement between France, as the host State, and SIOFA.

APPLICATION

Candidates are invited to submit applications in English in electronic format to the French Ministry of Ecology, Directorate for Sea Fisheries and Aquaculture (MEDDE / DPMA) no later than 15^th January 2016to the following address:

The applications shall include the following:

–          cover Letter;

–          curriculum Vitae;

–          list of publications, if available;

–          copies of academic and other relevant professional certificates (please provide English translation if applicable); and

–          three references from persons with a recent knowledge of the applicant’s character, qualifications and experience (at least one referee should have a recent knowledge of the candidate).

Applications submitted by mail or in another language will not be accepted.

Each applicant will be notified by the DPMA by electronic means that their application has been received.

SELECTION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Candidates will be ranked in order of preference by Contracting Parties. The candidates with the three highest scores will be shortlisted. Candidates who are not included on the final shortlist will be notified by email by the DPMA that their application has not been successful.

The three short-listed candidates will be notified by the interim Secretariat in April or May 2016 and will be invited for an interview at the next Meeting of the Parties (provisional date: 2^nd half of June 2016). Short-listed candidates may request reimbursement of transportation expenses (including economy class return airfares, accommodation and incidentals) to the Interim Secretariat. Candidates must provide evidence of expenditure.

Interviews will be conducted by the Heads of Delegations attending the next Meeting of the Parties. 45 minutes will be allocated for each candidate. Each candidate will have an opportunity to make a short (5 to 10 minutes) presentation during his or her interview. The remaining time will be used for a questions and answers session. All candidates will be asked the same questions. Questions will be determined by the Heads of Delegation before the interview and shared with candidates one hour prior to the interview.

The chosen candidate will be notified at the conclusion of the Meeting of the Parties.

Contract negotiations (including a starting date) with the successful candidate will be conducted by the interim Secretariat, according to terms agreed by the Meeting of the Parties, within a period of three months after the 2016 Meeting of the Parties.

For further information:

–          vincent.lelionnais@developpement-durable.gouv.fr

–          baei.sdrh.dpma@developpement-durable.gouv.fr

+33 1 40 81 91 20 / +33 1 40 81 89 39

–          orlando.fachada@ec.europa.eu

–          +32.2.2990857