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 National Planning and Development Support Team (NFIAN) in the Sustainable Aquaculture area within NFI and is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer (Aquaculture National Planning and Development) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer/NFIAN Team Leader in the Sustainable Aquaculture area under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, NFI.

Technical Focus

Support the preparation and implementation of aquaculture strategies, policies, plans and programmes of work that seek to maximize the contribution of aquaculture on countries’ economic, social and environmental objectives, including food security, nutrition and health and align with 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 the FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture and associated technical guidelines. These efforts should address keys sustainability principles such as ecological balance, efficient resource use, equity and resilience, and seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change on aquaculture while reducing the sector’s vulnerability to climate change and other external stressors.

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

• Participates in and/or leads the formulation, planning and implementation of national and regional aquaculture governance frameworks, policies and strategies, emphasizing resource efficiency, social inclusion and sustainability. 
• Provides advice, guidance and technical support to Members in aquaculture planning, including the design and practical guidance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to stimulate investments and foster long-term sector growth. 
• Develops and applies planning tools and methodologies to support the identification, feasibility and viability analysis of aquaculture investments, including market assessments, financial modeling and risk analysis. 
• Supports Members in creating actionable national aquaculture institutional/policy arrangements, that integrate natural resource management, food and nutrition security, climate resilience, value chain and poverty reduction goals. 
• Conducts comprehensive economic analysis and reports in order to facilitate the integration of aquaculture into broader economic development and environmental legal governance structures, ensuring alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and supports Members to mainstream the FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture into their national aquaculture governance instruments. 
• Initiates and implements projects that support FAO’s Strategical Framework (2022-2031) and the Blue Transformation Roadmap by advancing strategic planning and governance reforms, including regions of Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). 
• Coordinates with internal and external partners to harmonize approaches in aquaculture governance, planning and investment initiatives, ensuring coherence across FAO units, Country Offices and worldwide stakeholders. 
• Promotes innovative approaches in aquaculture planning and governance, including the use of digital technologies, climate-smart solutions and inclusive value chain strategies. 
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree in aquaculture, public policy, economics, agricultural economics, law, development studies, aquatic sciences, fisheries or closely related field. 
• Five years of relevant experience in planning and development of aquaculture projects, aquaculture governance including public private partnerships and conduct of feasibility study and viability analysis of aquaculture investment projects or programmes in public and/or private sectors, or in the analysis of national aquaculture development policies, strategies and plans and the sustainability of aquaculture projects. 
• 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. 
• Proven experience in the planning, formulation and implementation of aquaculture governance frameworks, policies and strategies. 
• Expertise in promoting PPPs and facilitating aquaculture investment projects, including feasibility and viability analyses. 
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic and operational planning in aquaculture, including the development of action plans and monitoring frameworks. 
• Extensive experience in capacity development for aquaculture planning, governance and investment. 
• Knowledge of global trends, research needs and challenges in aquaculture planning, governance and resource management. 
• Strong technical writing skills with experience drafting governance frameworks, strategic plans and investment proposals. 
• Demonstrated ability to organize and facilitate international meetings, workshops and training sessions focused on aquaculture planning, governance, investment and supporting Members to align their national aquaculture policy and strategy with FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.