Fishery Officer (Aquaculture)

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 well-being, food security and poverty reduction; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the well-being of fishery 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; management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with 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.

The position is located in the Sustainable Aquaculture area of NFI and is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer (Aquaculture) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer in the Sustainable Aquaculture area, under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, NFI.

Technical Focus

Support the work of the Sustainable Aquaculture area in the organization of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee on Aquaculture and in implementing policies and programmes that seek to maximize the impacts of aquaculture on Members' economic, social and environmental objectives, especially with regard to the role of small-scale aquaculture in food security and nutrition, and to help meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets within the FAO Strategic Framework and priority programmes, such as Blue Transformation and the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA). The work will be guided by FAO's vision of a sustainable and food-secure world for all and, more specifically, by the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and associated technical guidelines, the COFI Declaration on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, and other outcomes of the sessions of COFI and its Sub-Committee on Aquaculture.

Key Results

Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project/meeting services to support programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, as well as products and services.

• Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.

• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems.

• Updates databases and web pages.

• Participates in multidisciplinary project/work teams.

• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.

• Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Supports the normative work of the Sustainable Aquaculture area, such as the COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources, and provides specific support for the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Aquaculture Questionnaire, as well as alignment with the GSA.

• Supports the advancement of land-based and marine aquaculture to gain synergies with other sectors for food security, poverty alleviation and rural economic development.

• Supports the preparation of aquaculture projects and implementation plans for the Blue Transformation Roadmap (2022-2030).

• Provides technical backstopping, capacity building and training, monitoring and reporting for project implementation.

• Supports the implementation of aquaculture development programmes in less-developed aquaculture areas and regions, including Africa and Small Island Developing States, as required.

• Promotes and supports cross-cutting initiatives to achieve food security and nutrition, improve resource-use efficiency and minimize environmental impacts while reducing vulnerability to climate change and other external stressors.

• Supports the development of communication materials, documentation of good practices, knowledge products, and proposals for mobilizing extra-budgetary resources.

• Organizes meetings, workshops and seminars.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in biology, fishery science, aquatic sciences, environment science, aquaculture economics and management, international relations and affairs or related discipline.

• Three years of relevant experience in aquaculture research, planning and development, aquaculture technological innovations, biosecurity, aquatic environmental impact assessment and/or management, aquaculture economics 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, is desirable.

• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing meetings, seminars and training courses, especially at the international level.

• Sound technical knowledge related to current global issues, trends, constraints, and research and development needs related to aquaculture.

• Extent and relevance of experience in aquaculture extension and in the provision of scientific support and advice to local, national, regional and/or international aquaculture bodies, preferably in both developed and developing countries.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the planning and implementation of research and/or development programmes in aquaculture.

• Ability to raise awareness of, communicate effectively about, and mobilize resources for aquaculture projects and programmes.