Fishery Resources Officer

Organizational Setting 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 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; 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 Global Processes and Institutions Team (NFIPI) is responsible for the organization and conduct of the Committee for Fisheries and ensures consistency across its sub-committees. The Team is also responsible for NFI's work related to the inclusion of aquatic food-related matters in UN and global policy processes, negotiations and dialogues, including the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The position is located in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters, in Rome, Italy. Reporting Lines The Fishery Resources Officer (Climate Change) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer (Team Leader, Global Processes and Institutions Team), NFI. Technical Focus The position focuses on supporting FAO's work related to the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework and relevant Programme Priority Areas, in particular the implementation of the Blue Transformation Roadmap, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable, resilient and inclusive aquatic food systems, bioeconomy, effective fisheries management, sustainable and equitable access to resources. The Fishery Officer (Climate Change) plays a key role in strengthening the climate resilience of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, including the mainstreaming of climate considerations across management, policy and investment processes at global, regional and national levels. Overall, the work requires a strong understanding of climate implications for marine and inland resources, aquatic food systems, the social, economic and environmental dimensions of resilience, and the ability to translate scientific and technical information into actionable responses, policy advice, resource mobilization initiatives, and programme support for Member States and partners. 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
• Supports NFI's inputs to the FAO Strategy on Climate Change, including updates, implementation planning, and alignment with corporate priorities.
• Tracks and coordinates follow-up to Committee on Fisheries (COFI) requests related to climate change, including development of guidance, tools and technical materials.
• Plans and oversees the preparation of FAO's contribution to global events related to climate change, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change processes and events (Conference of Parties, Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, Ocean Dialogue, etc.), UN Ocean Conferences, and others as required.
• Coordinates resource mobilization efforts, including concept notes, donor engagement materials, and climate change knowledge products, supporting NFI's climate change portfolio.
• Monitors and supports the implementation of FAO's Blue Transformation Roadmap including its climate change adaptation and mitigation priorities across fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic food value chains, through workshop organization, reporting, and technical backstopping, and monitoring progress towards Blue Transformation.
• Supports the integration of climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries management and equitable aquatic food systems into FAO technical guidance, policy dialogue and international processes.
• Leads the NFI Working Group on Climate Change, ensuring effective knowledge exchange and strategic alignment across headquarters and decentralized offices.
• Liaises with other FAO divisions, decentralized offices, UN agencies, partners, and stakeholders to contribute to corporate positions and inputs in climate-related international processes and events.
• Oversees the maintenance of the NFI climate change project inventory and climate-related publications and ensures the organization's knowledge base remains comprehensive and up to date.
• Performs other related duties as required. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in marine sciences, environmental sciences, fishery science, marine ecology, marine affairs, fisheries and aquaculture management/governance, or related fields.
• Seven years of relevant experience in fisheries and aquaculture management, climate change analysis, environmental risk assessment, resource mobilization, programme management, scientific research, or related fields.
• 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.
• Experience contributing to international processes (e.g. UNFCCC, CBD, UN Ocean Decade, G7/G20), and coordinating cross-divisional and cross-agency collaboration is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of professional experience in collecting, analysing and synthesizing technical and scientific information and data related to fisheries, climate change, environmental impacts or aquatic ecosystems.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in fisheries, marine ecology, environmental risk assessment, taxonomy, climate adaptation and mitigation, Blue Transformation, aquatic food systems, ecosystem-based fisheries management, and biodiversity conservation.
• Proven experience in the preparation, editing and review of technical and scientific documents, including major global assessments and the organization of large-scale meetings, conferences and expert consultations.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical and scientific support to national, regional and global fisheries and aquaculture research and management institutions including support to policy development, climate resilience initiatives, and sustainable aquatic food systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the FAO Blue Transformation Roadmap, international climate policy processes, and their application to sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic food systems.
• Experience working with scientific bibliographic databases, information systems, dashboards, monitoring frameworks, and in producing or publishing technical and scientific outputs.