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

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

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

The Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) is recruiting an Executive Secretary.

Applications close 15 January 2016.

The purpose of the position is to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the SIOFA Secretariat during the first years of the Organization 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

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: 2nd 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.

There is no website for SIOFA.