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 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 security and poverty reduction; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and 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 the 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 post is located in the Value Chain Development Team (NFIMV) within NFI at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Fishery Officer (Aquatic Food Value Chains) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer (Fish Value Chain), Value Chain Development Team (NFIMV).
Technical Focus
Fish value chains analysis, value added products, processing, food loss and waste reduction, sustainable aquatic food production and consumption promotion, project management and advisory services to Member Nations on fish value chain improvements in support to delivering mainly better production, better nutrition and better environment outcomes and outputs.
Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Key Functions
• Researches, analyses and provides access to fisheries and aquaculture technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related data, and information and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of fisheries and aquaculture programmes, projects, products, publications and services.
• Produces a variety of technical data, statistics, information and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and initiatives, and/or assessments; provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/economic/environmental/nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations, such as organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
Specific Functions
• Supports the formulation, interpretation and implementation of policy guidelines and best practices for efficient national, regional and international implementation of sustainable production and consumption along fish value chains;
• Plans, formulates, and manages fish value chain efficiency and sustainability improvement projects and programmes as well as in other related pro-poor projects, guides their implementation and facilitates pertinent training activities;
• Develops, provides advice and guidance to Member Nations, international organizations and industry organizations on food loss and waste reduction, aquatic food processing, value added products;
• Identifies studies and interventions for fish value chain development in ways that contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction, improved utilization and address gender inequalities within a pro-poor framework;
• Supports the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI-FT) and the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI-SCA) on fish value chain issues, particularly those linked to aquatic resource utilization;
• Identifies, briefs and backstops national and international field projects for marketing operations and development, with a focus on the poor as well as gender inequalities;
• Collaborate with other FAO units, international organizations, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in the field of fish value chains;
• Performs other related duties, as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agricultural/fishery economics, food science/technology, business administration or other fields relevant to food value chains.
• Five years of relevant experience in food value chain development and related fields.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• 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 in the field of fish value chains and sustainability policies;
• Depth of familiarity with fisheries sector in developing countries;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge of food value chains, sustainable seafood products and policies;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the planning and implementation of projects related to food value chains and sustainable fish products, processing and policies;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge of policy issues related to fish value chain assessments and improvements, and the role of international organizations connection with them.
• Experiences in aquatic resource utilization issues are highly desirable.