Blue Ports (Infrastructure and Environment) Specialist

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
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 well-being, food well-being 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 security and poverty reduction; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and 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; management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices; development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the well-being of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.
About the Project
The Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) intends to assist the GoI to strengthen fishing ports technical capacities to address main environmental, social and economic challenges that affect to the aquatic value chain. Two pilot fishing ports, specifically Vanakbara (Union Territory of DNH & Daman & Diu without legislation) and Jakhau in Gujarat, will benefit from this TCP that will provide them with specific strategic and operational tools to identify and formulate investments projects, whose implementation would address main challenges. Also, a capacity building program will be provided aimed to public and private stakeholders to better comprehend main challenges and oriented solutions

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India, Assistant FAO Representatives (Programme and Administration) and guidance of the Project Managers and BPI FAO HQ, Blue Ports Specialist (Infrastructure and Environment) will undertake the following tasks\:

Technical Focus

Support the establishment of the foundations for reinforcing and transforming two pilot fishing port projects into more sustainable sites through the collaborative design of a Blue Transformation plan in India. Specifically, the specialist will support the development of a roadmap and the identification of potential investments and projects under a climate-resilience approach, focusing on infrastructure and environmental components. The specialist will support the process in Vanakbara (Union Territory of DNH & Daman & Diu) and Jakhau in Gujarat.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive infrastructure assessments in fishing ports, evaluating terminals, landing sites, access routes, energy systems, digital connectivity, and environmental management systems to identify gaps and vulnerabilities, ensuring environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and accessibility for fishing operators.
• Analyse the capacity of port infrastructure to support renewable energy integration, digitalization, and circular economy principles while enhancing resilience to climate change and environmental impacts. Also to assess the fishing port capacity to handle number/ size, craft gear combination and fishery commodities, different fishing port users, hygiene and sanitation and the infrastructure for this.
• Develop strategic infrastructure improvement plans tailored to the socio-economic and environmental context of each port or landing site, ensuring alignment with sustainability and resilience objectives.
• Integrate best practices in eco-friendly and sustainable construction, renewable energy, smart port technologies, and environmentally responsible design, considering marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate adaptation measures.
• Facilitate integrated infrastructure systems that enhance connectivity between maritime, coastal, and urban networks, optimizing intermodal logistics and supporting efficient fishing and processing operations.
• Provide technical guidance for project proposals, feasibility studies, and concept notes focused on infrastructure upgrades under the Blue Ports Initiative.
• Ensure compliance with international standards such as ISO 50001 (energy management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), MARPOL regulations, and other sustainable maritime and port management guidelines.
• Organize and facilitate multisectoral dialogues, technical workshops, and stakeholder consultations to align environmentally friendly infrastructure development with the Blue Ports Initiative’s strategic objectives.
• Serve as a liaison between technical teams, port authorities, government agencies, and private sector partners to foster collaboration and resource mobilization.
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitoring frameworks to evaluate the impact of infrastructure improvements in terms of energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and operational effectiveness.
• Prepare technical reports, progress updates, and lessons learned to support continuous improvement in infrastructure planning and implementation.
• Monitor emerging trends and innovations in sustainable port infrastructure, adapting solutions to the specific environmental and socioeconomic conditions of fishing ports.
• Identify and recommend smart port technologies, eco-friendly construction methods, and innovative equipment that enhance operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
• Contribute to the Blue Ports Initiative knowledge base by preparing case studies, technical briefs, and participating in relevant publications, conferences, and knowledge-sharing activities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Technology (Civil) with a minimum 15 years' experience of relevant experience in marine infrastructures under environmentally friendly schemes.
• Working knowledge of English and the relevant local Indian language.
• National of India or resident with work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proven experience in port infrastructure assessment specifically for fishing ports, development, and management, emphasizing sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate resilience.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate renewable energy solutions, smart technologies, and eco-friendly materials into port infrastructure projects.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and participatory planning, particularly with port authorities, government agencies, and fishing communities.
• Familiarity with relevant international standards (ISO 50001, ISO 14001, MARPOL) and Green Port frameworks.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive infrastructure assessments, identifying gaps, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvement in fishing ports and landing sites.
• Proficiency in developing feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses, and technical proposals for infrastructure investment and upgrade projects.
• Track record of designing and implementing monitoring frameworks and KPIs to assess the impact of infrastructure improvements on energy efficiency, environmental performance, and operational effectiveness.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the capacity to present findings and advocate for sustainable infrastructure solutions at conferences and policy forums.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• 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/
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO 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
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• 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.

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