Fishery Officer

Organizational Setting
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for the environmental, economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO's activities related to fisheries and aquaculture, including their sustainable development with particular emphasis on human wellbeing, food security and poverty reduction. The Division is responsible for the collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up to date global, regional and national statistics on production, consumption, trade and livelihoods, including sustainability status. The Division also leads FAO's activities related to the management and conservation of the living aquatic resources used by fisheries and aquaculture, including biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance, with particular emphasis on most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats; management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices with due regard for the protection of the environment and the wellbeing of fishing communities; and the development of fisheries technology, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels. It also conducts analysis and promotes post-harvest utilization, marketing and use of fisheries and aquaculture products in the context of FAO's mandate to eliminate hunger and poverty. The Division also develops normative guidelines and has a varied and extensive field programmes around the world.

This post is located in the Equitable Fisheries Livelihoods Team (NFIFL) of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Fishery Officer (Small-Scale Fisheries) reports to the leader of the Equitable Livelihoods Team (NFIFL).

Technical Focus
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The Small-scale Fisheries Officer supports NFI's work on small-scale fisheries in line with the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). This includes the direct provision of support to the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and their National Plans of Action (NPOAs) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) target 14 b (Provide access of small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets). This entails support at the global, regional and national level, such as contributing to the development of field programmes and projects to support Member Nations and other relevant partners, which require a better understanding, development and governance of small-scale fisheries.

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

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides specialized expertise in 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 Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, 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

• Provides expert guidance to small-scale fisheries stakeholders on implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) at global, regional, and national levels.
• Assists Member countries in developing and strengthening policies, strategies, and legal frameworks related to small-scale fisheries, encompassing the SSF Guidelines chapters.
• Conducts technical analyses and produce policy briefs and normative products addressing SSF Guidelines implementation, SSF governance and equitable livelihoods.
• Liaises with partners and donors to facilitate ongoing resource mobilization for SSF activities, contributing to the design, formulation, and execution of field projects and trust-funded initiatives.
• Coordinates capacity development efforts through training, workshops, and e-learning opportunities for government agencies, community organizations, and partners.
• Advocates for integrating small-scale fisheries considerations into national strategies pertaining to food security, blue transformation, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.
• Strengthens collaborations with governments, regional fisheries bodies, NGOs, small-scale fisher organizations, Indigenous peoples' groups, academia, and the private sector to advance the effective implementation of the SSF Guidelines.
• Fosters cross-sectoral collaboration on various aspects of the SSF Guidelines, including tenure, labor rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, value-chain development, and responsible investment.
• Facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogues, consultations, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Manages partnerships with research and development institutions as well as international and national bodies in both developed and developing countries for SSF Guidelines implementation.
• Collaborates with NFI and other FAO colleagues, particularly regarding activities linked to the SSF Guidelines and SDG 14b.
• Leads or contributes to the preparation of technical reports, publications, manuals, and communication materials.
• Offers technical inputs to global monitoring tools such as SOFIA and SDG indicators relevant to fisheries.
• Represents the Organization at international meetings, conferences, and expert consultations on issues concerning the SSF Guidelines.
• Prepares briefs, statements, and presentations for high-level events.
• Supports advocacy, visibility, and communications to promote sustainable and equitable small-scale fisheries both internally and externally to FAO.
• Supervises the preparation and editing of documents and reference materials pertaining to small-scale fisheries.
• Assists the Equitable Livelihoods Team with daily operations and practical tasks related to small-scale fisheries, including administrative support.
• Performs other tasks as required to support the work of the Division.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in fishery science, biology, fisheries management, social sciences with a specialization in small-scale fisheries and/or fisheries governance.
• Seven years of relevant experience in small-scale fisheries, policy, management, research, governance, community development, and project implementations.
• 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge on small-scale fisheries, community-based management and co-management.
• Experience in small-scale fisheries analysis and implementing SSF Guidelines, including best practices and related concerns.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy and programmes on small-scale fisheries and the implementation of the SSF Guidelines.
• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition.
• Demonstrated analytical and technical writing skills.
• Ability to mobilize resources.
• Ability to build and maintain professional networks within and across different institutions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses.

Job Posting
14/Jan/2026

Closure Date
04/Feb/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit
NFI

Job Type
Staff position

Type of Requisition
Professional

Grade Level
P-4

Primary Location
Italy-Rome

Duration
Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number
0116750

CCOG Code
1H05

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for
better production
,
better nutrition
,
a better environment,
and
a better life
, leaving no one behind.