Fishing Technology and Operations Specialist

Organizational Context

The FAO Fisheries Division (NFI) promotes sustainable and responsible development of fisheries and aquaculture. The Fishing Operations and Technology stream (NFIFP) assists FAO Members in enhancing their fishing industry's technical and operational capacities. This includes improving access to vessel and gear technologies, financial services, responsible investments, and safety measures. NFIFP aims to foster an efficient, innovative, safe, and socio-economically sound fishing industry, reduce pollution, and enhance personnel competencies, contributing to FAO's strategic framework for sustainable agri-food systems.

Job Purpose

The Fishing Operations and Technology stream (NFIFP) is seeking consultants to support the implementation of various fishing operations projects, including GloLitter Partnerships, RegLitter, PROSEAS, and REBYC III, at national and regional levels. The role involves providing expertise in areas such as Law of the Sea, fishing gear technology (including FADs and gear marking), waste management (especially plastic litter and ALDFG), fisheries infrastructure engineering, naval architecture, and occupational safety and health. Specialists in remote sensing, GIS, AI tools, fisheries economics (financial analysis, credit, insurance), emergency response, disaster risk management, and data analysis are also sought to advance sustainable fisheries practices.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include supporting project formulation, coordination, implementation, and administration in line with FAO rules and donor requirements, particularly for projects like GloLitter Partnerships and REBYC III. The specialist will provide substantive technical inputs for studies, publications, analyses, and capacity building materials, and collect, manage, and analyze data for policy work. Outreach and communication activities are also key. For Consultants (COF.REG), tasks extend to organizing and participating in external events, including field missions, training, and technical assistance. This involves collaborating with UN agencies and other partners, contributing to resource mobilization, and assisting countries with policy and legislative revisions for international instruments like the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Representation at meetings and organizing workshops are also expected, supporting FAO's Programme Priority Areas such as Blue Transformation.

Work Experience

Candidates must have relevant experience in fishing operations, vessel design and technology, gear selectivity, environmental impacts of fishing, pollution reduction, waste management, or fisheries infrastructure development. Experience in fishing fleet economics, micro-finance, insurance, investments, sustainable business models, small-scale fishing technology, emergency response, or safety at sea is also valued. Specific experience requirements range from two to four years for COF.REG level C and one to four years for PSAs level C, to at least five years for level B, and a minimum of ten years for level A.

Skills

Core competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing. Desirable technical skills encompass field experience in the assigned area, providing technical advice at local, national, regional, and global levels, and knowledge of international instruments and guidelines, especially the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Experience in project/programme formulation and implementation, understanding the work of international organizations and governments, working in diverse teams, monitoring, knowledge management, information dissemination, and capacity development are also highly valued.

Explore related opportunities