Fisheries Assessments Technical Officer

Global Trust Certification Ltd, Marine Division, Fisheries Assessments Technical Officer

Global Trust Certification Ltd is a third party, independent certification body, leader in the fisheries and aquaculture sector at a global level. We operate a suite of internationally recognised programs designed to assess and certify commercial fisheries and aquaculture for sustainability and for responsible fisheries management. The company, now part of SAI Global Assurance Ltd. is rooted in every continent worldwide. The two main fisheries assessment programs we assess and certify against are the Marine Stewardship Council and the FAO-Based Responsible Fisheries Management Programmes.

The Global Trust’s fisheries team, in the Marine Division, is now looking for a dynamic, highly motivated, intellectually inquisitive and hard-working individual with postgraduate academic training in fisheries sciences and proven fishery expertise to join the team in Ireland. This position will remain open until the right candidate is found.

Key responsibilities of this technical position include:

• Research, analysis and assimilation of scientific fisheries information from agency and peer reviewed sources and drafting of commercial fisheries assessment reports as required.
• Interaction, dialogue and management of international team of fisheries associates as necessary to assess the fisheries under scrutiny and to compile technical fisheries assessment reports.
• International travel as required to carry out site visits as part of the fisheries assessment process.
• Implementation of MSC and FAO-Based RFM assessments consistently and according to accreditation procedures.
• Evaluation of fisheries against pre-assessment requirements of these two programmes.
• Support the business managers with fisheries technical expertise and with fishery client liaison.
• Participation in support to other programmes as and when required.
• Provision of progress and activity reports to Seafood Manager.

Minimum qualifications, expertise and training required (anything below these requirements will not be considered)

• Postgraduate academic training in marine sciences, biology, ecology, fisheries management, environmental science, oceanography, or fisheries studies and previous fisheries experience (minimum 3 years) in the fisheries field (one or more of the following: stock assessment, fisheries impacts on marine ecosystems, fisheries management and policy/framework, operations, or enforcement)
• Alternatively, and as a minimum, a BSc degree and 5 years or more experience in the above fisheries fields may be considered.

Key skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to grasp new and complex concepts and adapt to new assessment strategies and requirements as they arise,
• Competent at identifying issues and merits and balance scientific evidence to make objective judgements,
• Confidence providing presentations, questioning and working with international fisheries agency scientists, industry stakeholders, NGOs and Government bodies,
• Ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience in a fast-paced work environment;
• Dynamic and lateral thinker, able to work confidently with limited supervision when required;
• Team player and strong interpersonal skills;
• Flexibility and ability to balance priorities and co-ordinate work effectively with colleagues.

• Expertise in fisheries management, policy development, fisheries operations, stock assessment or ecosystem effects of fisheries in Alaska, Canada, the Gulf of Mexico (or generally North America), Iceland, Australia, Europe or New Zealand.

Person Specifications

• Energetic, positive attitude and a strong commitment to working in the field of international commercial fisheries;
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated;
• Fluent in English;  Spanish and French or other languages would be desirable;
• Ability to travel, as necessary, worldwide;
• Excellent judgment, flexibility, humour and diplomacy.

To communicate your interest, please send your CV and a letter of interest at one of the following billpaterson@gtcert.com or clarecrichton@gtcert.com

Remuneration: Full time, permanent position with competitive salary, depending on experience.