Khor Umeira is a coastal artisanal fishing community with approximately 2,450 residents, where nearly 40 percent of households rely directly on small-scale fisheries for income, food security, and daily trade. Fishing activities, landing-site routines, and household cooperation form the foundation of the community’s economic and social life.

In recent years, the community has observed declining nearshore fish availability, increased pressure on fishing grounds, and rising costs related to fuel, gear, and operations. These challenges have highlighted the need for shared, community-driven management of marine resources to sustain livelihoods and support long-term resilience.

To address these issues, and in alignment with efforts to strengthen sustainable marine governance, our client supported the development of a community-based Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) in April 2025 under the Sustainable Fishery Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH) Project. The FMP outlines locally led management measures, including seasonal closures, responsible fishing practices, improved post-harvest handling, and community-agreed limited-use or protected areas. The plan emphasizes inclusive leadership, community representation, and coordination with the General Authority for Fisheries (GAF), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and the Coast Guard.

The plan identifies small-scale sea cucumber mariculture as one possible livelihood diversification option; however, it emphasizes that the community must collectively identify, select, and lead any alternative livelihood activities that best match their interests and capacity.

Within the first phase of FMP implementation, two FMP Facilitators will be based in Khor Umeira. They will function as equal partners and one team, working together to understand the local context, build relationships, and collect the information needed for subsequent stages of FMP implementation. The purpose of this assignment is to interact closely with the community and gather background data on existing livelihood mechanisms, fishing practices, and local institutions, while also exploring the community’s readiness to engage in further implementation of the Fisheries Management Plan.

 Working as one team, the two FMP Facilitators will:

Map fishing practices and seasons

• Identify the main fishing practices used by fishers from Khor Umeira.

• Document the main fishing seasons and key species targeted.

Count fishing units and fishers

• Obtain an accurate count of the number of boats operating from Khor Umeira.

• Estimate the average number of fishers per boat.

Record external fishing presence

• Record the number of fishers and boats from other areas that land their catch at Khor Umeira.

Capture basic catch and price information

• Record daily catch information for selected days during the assignment period.

• Record the prices being paid for different species at the landing site.

Map buyers and basic market channels

• Identify the main buyers purchasing from the Khor Umeira landing site.

• Describe basic marketing channels as observed (e.g. whether fish is sold locally, transported to other towns, etc.).

Map existing cooperatives and their dynamics

• Identify active cooperatives linked to the fishery.

• Record who their leaders are and estimate the number of members per cooperative.

• Document what services or benefits they offer to fishers.

• Describe relationships and dynamics between different cooperatives.

Map women’s involvement in the fishery sector

• Identify any roles played by women in processing, trading, support services or decision-making related to fisheries

• Note any women’s groups or informal networks involved in fisheries-related activities.

Explore community views on alternative livelihoods

• Listen to and document community views on what alternative or complementary livelihood mechanisms might be feasible to reduce reliance on artisanal fishing.

• Ensure that discussions are clearly framed as exploratory, without making promises or commitments on behalf of UNDP.

Identify local leaders and influencers

• Identify key formal and informal leaders and influential individuals within the community.

• Note their roles, spheres of influence and attitudes towards the Fisheries Management Plan.

Assess the role of institutions and other actors

• Assess the level of involvement and influence of local authorities and GAF representatives at the local level.

• Identify other relevant actors (such as private sector actors, cooperatives, community groups and others) and their influence on community dynamics and fisheries-related decisions.

This role reports to the SFISH Project Manager.

• Bachelor’s degree in community development, rural development, livelihoods, fisheries extension or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• 3–5 years of direct work in community-based settings.

• Experience in fishing or coastal communities is an advantage.

• Strong interpersonal skills based on listening, trust-building and respectful presence.

• Fluency in Arabic is required; basic English reading and writing skills are an asset.

FMP Facilitators work as One Team, both functions operate as one team

Both FMP Facilitators will be based in Khor Umeira, Al-Madharibah District, Lahj Governorate, and are expected to spend the majority of their time in the community and at the landing site.