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 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 the 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.

The position is located in the Technology and Production Team (NFIAT) in the Sustainable Aquaculture area of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer (Aquaculture) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer (Environment and Climate Change)/NFIAT Team Leader in the Sustainable Aquaculture area under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, NFI.

Technical Focus

The Fishery Officer (Aquaculture) will support the preparation and implementation of aquaculture development plans and programmes that seek to optimize the development of sustainable aquaculture practices and programmes of work, with a specific focus on seed supply and breeding in aquaculture. The overall objective is to maximize the impacts of aquaculture on countries’ social, economic and environmental objectives, including food security and nutrition, and help meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets. 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 associated technical guidelines such as the FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

•    Researches, analyses and provides access to fisheries and aquaculture technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related data, and information and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of fisheries and aquaculture programmes, projects, products, publications and services.
•    Produces a variety of technical data, statistics, information and reports, as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
•    Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and initiatives, and/or assessments; provides technical backstopping to field projects.
•    Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/economic/environmental/ nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
•    Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
•    Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members, such as organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
•    Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
•    Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

•    Contributes to the preparation and implementation of programmes of work related to sustainable aquaculture development, as partial fulfilment of the FAO Blue Transformation roadmap.
•    Contributes to characterization, responsible utilization and conservation of aquatic genetic resources, and sustainable supply of seed for aquaculture.
•    Contributes to the development and implementation of sustainable hatchery and breeding technology relating to aquaculture.
•    Contributes to initiatives on aquaculture innovation, such as application of biotechnology and development/utilization of climate resilient aquaculture species.
•    Contributes to work on aquaculture hatchery technology and seed supply chain development with a focus on small-scale aquaculture and low trophic level species.
•    Contributes to NFI’s cross-cutting initiatives on SDGs, climate change, biodiversity, and food security and nutrition.
•    Performs any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in aquaculture and fisheries, marine sciences, genetics, biodiversity and conservation, biotechnology and applied development studies or related disciplines.
•    Five years of relevant experience in the planning and development of aquaculture projects.
•    Working knowledge (full 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.
•    Experience of aquaculture hatchery and seed supply for one or more aquaculture species, technology innovations in aquaculture and/or issues are desirable.
•    Strong knowledge and understanding of management of genetic resources for aquaculture, as well as experience and/or solid understanding of the principles of aquaculture sustainability, are an asset.
•    Extent and relevance of experience of hatchery, seed supply chains and genetic resource management in aquaculture.
•    Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of sustainable aquaculture systems.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in data management.
•    Demonstrated experience in drafting technical reports, papers and other knowledge products.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses.