Catch Data Collection Specialist

Background:

• Yemen’s fisheries sector supports the livelihoods of thousands of coastal households & is essential to national food security. However, the absence of a robust catch monitoring system has hampered the ability of fisheries authorities to sustainably manage marine resources. To address this, our client through the SFISH program is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Fish Wealth (MAIF) & the General Authority for Fisheries (GAF) to improve catch data systems & promote evidence based fisheries governance.

• As part of this effort, Field Consultants will be recruited to lead catch data collection efforts, build the capacity of local data collectors, ensure accurate & regular reporting from key landing sites.

Objective of the assignment:

To design, implement & oversee standardized catch data collection activities in targeted coastal governorates. The consultant will play a dual role:

• Supervising field data collection at landing sites.

• Training & mentoring local Data Collectors to ensure sustainable data reporting systems.

Under the direct supervision of the CTA & in coordination with MAIF / GAF, the consultant will:

Design & plan:

• Develop operational plans & data collection tools customized for the selected landing sites.

• Develop training materials tailored to local contexts & skill levels.

• Coordinate with regional GAF offices to identify priority landing sites & Community Data Collectors.

Train & capacity building:

Conduct structured training sessions for local data collectors on:

• Species identification.

• Data entry protocols (digital & paper).

• Use of data collection system or similar platforms.

• Ethical engagement with fishers & cooperatives.

Conduct refresher sessions & practical simulations.

Field supervision:

• Regularly visit assigned landing sites to oversee & verify field data collection.

• Provide on site coaching & troubleshooting for Enumerators.

• Conduct random spot checks to verify data accuracy & completeness.

Data verification & validation:

• Review & cross check submitted data for consistency & accuracy (e.g., species names, weights, gear types etc.).

• Compare data entries with physical catch inspections, observation records & logbooks where applicable.

• Flag & investigate discrepancies, duplications or deviations in data reporting.

• Coordinate with our client & MAIF / GAF representatives to resolve inconsistencies in reported data.

• Ensure validated data is compiled & uploaded into the central database in line with agreed protocols.

Data management & reporting:

• Ensure timely submission of verified data to the central database.

• Generate weekly & monthly field reports summarizing trends, validation outcomes & issues encountered.

• Provide recommendations for improving data quality & sustainability of the system.

The consultants will apply a tiered participatory methodology, which includes the following components:

Data sources.

• Primary: Fishers & cooperatives at landing sites.

• Secondary: Market records, cooperative logs & available catch logbooks in respective GAFs.

Key data collected:

• Catch details: Species, quantity (kg), size (cm) & gear used.

• Fisher profile: Gender, vessel type & location.

• Effort details: Trip duration & number of crew.

• Market info: Price per kg & sales point.

• Environmental data: Weather & sea condition.

Tools & technology:

• Mobile data collection.

• Laminated fish species ID cards (in Arabic).

• GPS enabled data recording & time stamping.

Daily collection protocol:

• Enumerators positioned during peak landing hours.

• One on one recording with fishers using digital forms.

• Consultant to supervise collection & provide feedback.

Verification & quality control:

• Spot checks & cross checks with physical catch.

• Monthly error tracking logs & outlier reports.

• Coordination with the system admin for periodic audit reviews.

This role will work under the direct supervision of the CTA & in coordination with MAIF / GAF.

• Degree in marine biology, fisheries science, environmental science, statistics or related field.

• Experience in field based data collection, ideally in the fisheries or marine sector.

• Fluency in Arabic (mandatory); working knowledge of English is an asset.

• Proven use of mobile data collection platforms (e.g., Kobo toolbox), strong Excel & report writing skills.

• Experience in data quality control & coaching is essential.

• Commitment to UN values, ethics & professional standards.

• Strong interpersonal, training & mentoring skills.

• Solid knowledge of fisheries management, species identification & artisanal landing practices.

• Proven experience in training & supervising field staff.

• Proficiency in using digital data collection tools (e.g., Kobo toolbox & Excel).

• Strong skills in data validation, anomaly detection & error correction procedures.

• Effective communication & coordination with field actors & institutions.

This role has no team management responsibility.

Payment modality:

• The consultants will be remunerated on a daily basis, based on actual days worked & submission of approved deliverables.

• Payment will be processed monthly upon submission of a signed timesheet, field visit summary & corresponding deliverables, verified by the supervisor.

Other generic information:

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.