Consultancy Position to Develop a Small-Scale Inshore Fisheries Network
Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association
About the Small-Scale Inshore Network
Evidence shows there is serious decline in the small-scale fishing sector in England. Over the 14-year period between 2008 and 2022 the number of under-10m vessels has declined by 23% compared to over 10m vessels (12% decline), but the decline is more substantial than these figures show. The under-10m fleet’s days at sea decreased by 43.6% and employment in the sector decreased by 47.4% during this period*.
Small scale inshore fisheries are rich in social benefits, achieving the highest price per tonne landed and returning a significant portion of their value to the local community, achieved through multiple levels of employment and utilisation of local supply chains. The decline in these vessels is therefore intensifying coastal and rural disparity and is the reason we need these fishermen and associated industries to be able to work together to find solutions to ensure their long-term sustainability.
To address these issues, workshops and meetings for inshore fishermen across England held over the past 18 months have highlighted the need to build capacity for these fishermen to be heard and collectively act to support themselves.
A steering group has come together to support the development of a Network specifically for small-scale inshore fishermen in England. English Small Scale Inshore Fisheries Network | Join and Empower Inshore Fisheries.
The steering group is now looking to employ a consultant on a 6-month contract, to establish and implement a structure for the network that will provide a coherent and recognised voice for small-scale inshore fisheries to communicate directly with government and other organisations.
The Role
This is a 6-month consultancy position to work with a steering group and individual fishermen from around England to establish a structure for the network.
The Consultant will use social media and associated campaign tools to reach out to fishermen from around England to enlist their support and gain their input to determine the structure of the network.
It must be evident that that the voices of fishermen around the country are included in and recognised for their contribution to establishing a recognised (and acknowledged by government) network for small-scale inshore fishermen.
This project has the following outcomes and indicators that we require the consultant to aim to achieve:
Outcome 1: The Network will be a defined and recognised entity for small-scale inshore fisheries in England.
Indicator: the Network will have a defined structure and constitution with a new committee voted in by Network members. An inaugural committee meeting will have been held.
Outcome 2: The Network will have defined specific objectives to support and develop sustainable small-scale inshore fisheries.
Indicator: Members will have inputted to strategic direction. Key initial targets agreed by the Committee. Action plan for the next year will have been developed.
To achieve these outcomes the following must be considered:
- Members of the network
- Is there a criterion for membership e.g. individual fishermen and / fishermen’s organisations?
- Are there membership benefits / voting rights?
- Should there be a membership fee?
- The Network’s steering group / committee / board
- What is their structure e.g. do they have a Chair?
- How are they chosen?
- Should they represent regions / fisheries / gear types or provide a broader representation?
- Democratic process within the network
- Within the board / steering committee
- By members
- Process for challenging decisions made by the board / committee / wider membership.
It is expected that the consultant will also:
- Gain advice from other similar social organisations such as the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
- Determine the range of options for establishing the network as an incorporated / unincorporated body / CIC / other organisation.
- Consider and define the role of a network lead / spokesperson to deliver the aims of the network over the first two years of existence, to include agreed goals and deliverables.
- Support the subsequent recruitment of the network lead role(s) by identifying appropriate funding options and producing generic proposals and cash flow forecast for the network to take forward.
All of the above will require communication with fishermen and organisations (government and non-governmental) from around the coast and will therefore require some travel but it is expected that interviews and meetings will where-possible be conducted on the phone / online to reduce costs.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable desire and passion for working with and supporting the fishing industry and / or social networks, social capital and coastal communities.
- Demonstrable leadership and management skills.
- Highly efficient IT skills and social media skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in and / or knowledge of the fishing industry and / or with marginalised communities and individuals.
- Understanding of incorporated society / charity and company structures.
- Experience as a leader of community-based organisations.
- Experience setting up incorporated and / or un-incorporated organisations.
- Knowledge of potential grant funding schemes and ability to structure grant applications.
- Understanding of other finance options.
Contract Conditions
- Up to £32,500 over 6-months paid in monthly instalments, in arrears.
- Home based with some national travel required.
Technical Support
Some funding has been allocated to provide expert legal, financial or HR support to establish structure of network and or type of incorporated organisation if required.
Applications to be submitted by midnight on the 24th of May
Interviews will be held during the 2nd week of June
*Recognising and Protecting the National Benefit of Sustainable Fisheries in the UK