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 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 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; 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.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant / PSA will report to the National Planning and Development Support Team (NFIAN) Team Leader in the Sustainable Aquaculture area under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, NFI.

Technical Focus 

Support the work in the NFIAN Team in implementing aquaculture strategies, policies, plans and programmes of work that seek to maximize the impacts of aquaculture on Members’ economic, social and environmental objectives, including food security and nutrition, and help meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets within the FAO Strategic Framework and priority programmes, such as the Blue Transformation. The programme of work and activities should follow the FAO Common Vision for Sustainable Food and Agriculture and the FAO Code of Conduct on Responsible Fisheries and associate technical guidelines to mitigate the impacts of aquaculture on climate change, while at the same time reducing vulnerability to climate change and other external stressors.

Tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of each selected Consultant or PSA will be defined in the Terms of Reference for the specific assignment. In general, depending on the specific assignment, designated tasks and responsibilities will normally include a number of the following elements:
•    Support the implementation of aquaculture governance, planning, economic, investments and partnerships aspects of FAO’s Blue Transformation Roadmap at regional and national levels and support aquaculture development globally, including in Africa, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other priority areas, as required.
•    Support the development (including review) and implementation of aquaculture legal framework, scoping, sector survey, aquaculture spatial planning, capacity building in line with FAO’s Blue Transformation Roadmap.
•    Support the organization of and participation in internal and external meetings and events (including field missions) for the delivery of NFIA’s programme of work, including consultation, training, capacity building and other technical assistance interventions.
•    Collaborate with other NFI teams and FAO divisions and external partners in the areas of NFIAN’s programme of work, as well as areas of mutually beneficial interest to Members.
•    Establish and manage relations with relevant institutions, networks and platforms that could help FAO leverage its messages and advance global dialogue on various issues related to NFIAN’s programme of work, helping the Organization to promote enhanced global food security and nutrition (for consultants only).
•    Support the preparation of reports, papers and guides pertinent to aquaculture governance, planning, economic, investments and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
•    Participate in proposal development, planning and implementation of projects on sustainable aquaculture.
•    Implement team activities and assigned tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in aquaculture, economics, national resource management, applied development studies, social science, law, international relations or related discipline.
•    At least 12 years for Level A, 5 years for Level B, and 1 year for Level C of relevant experience in aquaculture governance, planning, economic, investments and/or partnerships aspects.
•    For Consultant: Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other official languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian).
•    For PSA: Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core 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.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in aquaculture policy, planning, governance, economics, and investments
•    Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support at regional, national, and local levels.
•    Familiarity with MS-office, editing and formatting skills, etc.

Selection Criteria

•    Extent and relevance of experience in project/programme formulation and implementation of projects, programmes and studies in the pertinent field of expertise.
•    Extent and relevance of knowledge and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments.
•    Experience in working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.