Fishery and Aquaculture Officer

Organizational Setting

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

The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed-upon strategies and projects for transforming food, agriculture and rural development. It also develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions.

The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is a subsidiary of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

The position is located in the Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) in Apia, Samoa.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery and Aquaculture Officer reports to the FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific islands and works in close collaboration with the SAP Multidisciplinary team, as well as under the technical guidance of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Modular lead in FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The Fishery and Aquaculture Officer maintains regular contact with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome for technical guidance on fisheries and aquaculture matters to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the Blue Transformation Roadmap in and the delivery of technical priorities in response to country demands in the Pacific.

Technical Focus

The Fishery and Aquaculture Officer will be responsible for the delivery of the FAO Strategic Framework and the Blue Transformation Roadmap, covering sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development as a means to contribute to food and nutrition security as well as economic development of the Pacific region.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of regional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with regional objectives and FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

•           Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

•           Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

•           Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.

•           Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

•           Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Members, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.

•           Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

•           Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

•           Leads the fisheries and aquaculture portfolio in SAP, in collaboration with the SAP Multidisciplinary Team.

•           Contributes to the subregional and regional vision, strategic planning, and programme development and implementation in fisheries and aquaculture, based on country needs and the Blue Transformation Roadmap, ensuring and reporting on innovations and results.

•           Works with national public, private and academic institutions, in line with the FAO Strategic Objectives, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) and SAP Country Programming Frameworks, to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of national fisheries and aquaculture policies, programmes, institutions and investments that contribute at a large scale to the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) production, social, environmental and climate targets.

•           Mobilizes and maintains strategic alliances, cooperation, partnerships (including with the private sector), communities of practice and resources to catalyse policy and institutional change, digital innovation, and supports countries in accessing and enhancing the FAO portfolio of Green Climate Fund, Global Environmental Facility, Climate Adaptation Fund, and other environmental, ecosystems, and fisheries and aquaculture related programmes.

•           Participates in capacity building at national, subregional and regional levels to improve coastal fisheries and aquaculture through sharing of best practices and analytical tools.

•           Prepares, organizes and/or participates in technical meetings, studies, capacity building programmes and other activities related to fisheries and aquaculture.

•           Provides technical support for the formulation of policies and best practices associated with implementation of regional and international instruments and national level plans and policies.

•           Participates in systematic reviews of available information and data relevant to fisheries governance and management especially with respect to community-based management, small-scale fisheries, food security, and sustainable use in fisheries and aquaculture.

•           Contributes to and serves as the SAP focal point to regional and subregional fisheries and aquaculture related policy bodies and technical networks.

•           Represents FAO in various fora and in the media.

•           Performs other related duties, as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•           Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fisheries economics or marine affairs with a specialization in fisheries management and/or governance, or other field related to coastal fisheries, or aquaculture development.

•           Seven years of relevant experience in sustainable fisheries management, sustainable aquaculture production and management, fish trade, fishery products safety and quality, field of statistics and data management of fisheries, or related fields.

•           Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

•           Results Focus

•           Teamwork

•           Communication

•           Building Effective Relationships

•           Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills