Fishery Officer (Aquatic Food Value Chains)
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) addresses the economic, social, institutional, governance, and policy aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. This includes resource management, biodiversity, responsible practices, and technology development, with a focus on human well-being and food security. The position is based in the Value Chain Development Team within the NFI at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Job Purpose
This role focuses on developing aquatic food value chains, reducing food loss and waste, and promoting value-added products and sustainable production and consumption. The incumbent will provide project management and advisory services to Member Nations to improve aquatic food value chains, contributing to better production, nutrition, environment, and life outcomes. Key responsibilities include conducting research, providing technical and analytical services, developing statistical tools, and supporting capacity development activities. The role also involves promoting knowledge sharing, best practices, and resource mobilization in alignment with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Responsibilities
The Fishery Officer will research, analyze, and provide access to data and information on fisheries and aquaculture, including technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and policy aspects. They will produce technical reports, statistics, and input for publications. The role involves providing technical, statistical, and analytical services for studies and projects, including backstopping field projects. The incumbent will contribute to developing and updating analytical tools, methodologies, and indicators. They will participate in and lead multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with other FAO units and promoting best practices. Capacity development activities, knowledge sharing at international forums, and supporting resource mobilization are also key functions. Specific duties include supporting policy implementation for Blue Transformation, managing value chain improvement projects, advising on processing and waste reduction, and contributing to the design and evaluation of capacity building initiatives.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of relevant experience in food value chain development and related fields is required. Experience in more than one work location or area, particularly in field positions, is desirable. Experience in developing countries and countries in transition is also beneficial.
Skills
Key competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement. Desirable skills include experience in aquatic food value chains with a background in aquatic resource utilization, extensive experience in developing countries and transition economies, experience organizing international meetings and training, and expertise in policy and technical guidance for aquatic food value chain development.