Fishery Officer

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO's activities related to fisheries and aquaculture and their development, with particular emphasis on human wellbeing, food security and poverty reduction; postharvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the wellbeing of fishing communities; collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up to date fishery statistics and for the syndication of the FAO information on all aspects of world fisheries and aquaculture. 

The Division is also responsible for FAO's activities related to the management and conservation of the living aquatic resources used by fisheries and aquaculture, including the biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance, with particular emphasis on most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats as well as the management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices and the development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the wellbeing of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.

The position is located in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer reports to the Senior Fishery Officer /Team Leader, in the Statistics and Information team (NFISI).

Technical Focus

The Fishery Officer will be responsible for the planning, coordination and quality assurance of fisheries and aquaculture knowledge products of the Division, including the FAO flagship publication State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), and other corporate publications and digital content, to support evidence-based policy dialogue, global reporting and raising the visibility of FAO's work in fisheries and aquaculture. The position requires strong cross-cutting technical knowledge of fisheries and aquaculture and close collaboration with technical teams across the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division and FAO.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides specialized expertise in technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals, as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.

Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.

Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

Plans, coordinates and oversees the development and dissemination of fisheries and aquaculture knowledge products produced by the NFI Division, ensuring alignment with FAO strategic priorities and corporate standards.

Plans and leads the conceptual design of the content of NFI knowledge products, based on assessed information requirements and user needs.

Chairs the NFI Editorial Board and coordinates divisional publication workflows, including scheduling, clearance processes, peer review, editing and production, in close collaboration with technical units and relevant corporate services.

Leads and coordinates the production of the FAO flagship publication 'State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA)', including planning, technical coordination, editorial oversight and liaison with internal and external contributors.

Provides technical guidance and quality assurance for divisional publications and digital knowledge products to ensure accuracy, coherence and policy relevance.

Plans and contributes to technical meetings and workshops related to fisheries and aquaculture information and knowledge dissemination.

Liaises with internal and external partners, including NFI colleagues, other FAO divisions, regional offices and knowledge partners, to support the strategic development, production and dissemination of knowledge products.

Contributes to corporate knowledge management, publishing and communication initiatives, as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) infisheries, aquaculture, natural resources, fishery sciences, environmental sciences, development or economics and/or a closely related discipline.

•Seven years of relevant experience innational or international organizations in the field of fisheries and aquaculture research and/or in the management of fisheries and aquaculture information systems and products, including the planning, coordination and production of technical or policy-oriented knowledge products or related field.

•Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level

B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

•Results Focus

•Teamwork

•Communication

•Building effective relationships

•Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

Extent and relevance of experience in analysing fisheries and aquaculture data, information and research, with the ability to translate technical information into coherent, policy-relevant knowledge products.

Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences, editing technical papers for publication and making effective oral presentations, preferably in more than one FAO official language.

Extent and relevance of experience in the planning, coordination and quality assurance of complex knowledge products, including corporate and high-level flagship publications.

Extent and relevance of experience in promoting the inclusion of fisheries and aquaculture in targeted and cross-sectoral international events and processes.

Extent and relevance of experience in organizing and coordinating meetings and in successfully working in multidisciplinary teams and with external partners.

Depth of familiarity with the FAO Blue Transformation programme.

Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

Ability to mobilize resources.

Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French or Spanish is a strong asset.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO [link removed] and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ [link removed]. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings [link removed]. 
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp [link removed]

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