Fisheries Manager - Global Fisheries and Resilience Action

JOB SUMMARY

The Fisheries Manager provides technical leadership and programme management support across GFRA’s fisheries management, governance, co-management and marine conservation initiatives. Reporting to the Fisheries Enforcement and Legal Advisor and working within the strategic direction of the Country Director, the Fisheries Manager leads the planning and implementation of assigned activities, ensuring they are grounded in sound fisheries science, effective governance arrangements and meaningful stakeholder participation.

The position requires an experienced, hands-on professional who can supervise field teams, collaborate effectively with government institutions and fishing communities, deliver high-quality technical outputs and manage competing priorities independently in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.

Specific Tasks

Fisheries Management and Technical Leadership

• Lead the technical planning and implementation of assigned fisheries management initiatives, including sustainable harvesting practices, gear management, resource conservation and science-informed management measures.

• Apply knowledge of fisheries biology, stock sustainability, fishing gears, catch-and-effort monitoring and fisheries assessment to programme design and field implementation.

• Provide technical inputs into fisheries management plans, guidelines, protocols and operational tools, ensuring consistency with Ghana’s fisheries policy and regulatory framework.

• Support marine conservation initiatives, including marine protected area planning, ecosystem-based management and the integration of conservation objectives with artisanal fishing livelihoods.

Programme Implementation and Coordination

• Develop and oversee workplans on assigned project, implementation schedules and field arrangements, and track progress against agreed outputs, timelines and budgets.

• Coordinate field operations and assigned personnel, ensuring effective task allocation, regular supervision, quality control, mentoring and follow-up.

• Plan and facilitate technical workshops, community consultations, training sessions and stakeholder meetings, working closely with the relevant programme and operations teams.

• Identify operational risks and delivery bottlenecks, recommend corrective action and provide timely progress updates to supervisors and management.

Governance and Institutional Strengthening

• Strengthen participatory fisheries governance and co-management arrangements at community, district and regional levels.

• Provide practical support to co-management committees, Landing Beach Enforcement Committees, chief fishermen, fisher associations and relevant district authorities.

• Support efforts to improve fisheries management effectiveness, regulatory awareness, compliance, community accountability and coordination among mandated institutions.

• Facilitate inclusive participation of artisanal fishers, women in fisheries and other community stakeholders in management and conservation decision-making.

Research, Evidence, and Learning

• Coordinate field surveys, fisheries data collection and monitoring exercises, ensuring sound methods, reliable data, ethical practice and appropriate quality assurance.

• Analyse or critically review technical findings on fisheries management, governance and conservation, and translate evidence into practical recommendations.

• Prepare high-quality technical reports, analytical notes, policy briefs, presentations and implementation documentation.

• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, including documenting results, management lessons and opportunities for adaptive implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Maintain effective working relationships with the Fisheries Commission, and its technical and regional offices, and other relevant government agencies.

• Engage constructively with artisanal fishers, coastal communities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, research institutions and development partners.

• Represent GFRA at technical working groups, community engagements and coordination platforms when designated, and ensure timely follow-up on agreed actions.

• Apply sound interpersonal judgement, cultural sensitivity and diplomacy in navigating complex stakeholder relationships and community concerns.

Organizational Contribution

• Support the Country Director and programme leadership with technical inputs to workplans, proposals, donor reports and the development of new fisheries and marine conservation initiatives.

• Provide day-to-day supervision, coaching and performance feedback to field officers and other staff assigned to the position.

• Promote effective teamwork, knowledge sharing and coordination across GFRA programmes, while exercising independent judgement and initiative.

• Observe GFRA’s policies on professional conduct, safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, financial integrity and responsible use of organisational resources.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• A bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science, Fisheries Management, Marine Biology, Marine Conservation, Natural Resource Management or a closely related discipline.

• At least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in fisheries science, management, governance, co-management or marine conservation, with proven responsibility for implementation.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience working with artisanal fishers and coastal fishing communities in Ghana, and a strong understanding of the realities of small-scale fisheries.

• Sound knowledge of Ghana’s fisheries sector, applicable management and governance arrangements, and experience engaging the Fisheries Commission and other government agencies.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise field officers or enumerators and coordinate activities across field locations.

• Excellent English writing, speaking, facilitation and presentation skills, including demonstrated ability to produce rigorous technical reports.

• Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills, with proven ability to work independently, manage priorities and deliver under limited supervision.

Desirable

• A relevant postgraduate qualification and experience in fisheries governance, marine protected areas, fisheries co-management, community-based monitoring or fisheries assessment.

• Experience coordinating externally funded programmes and multi-institutional partnerships.

• Ability to communicate in Ga and/or Ewe; familiarity with digital field-data tools and basic data analysis is an advantage.

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