Senior Fishery Officer (Aquaculture)

FAO; Roma; In loco; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A leading international organization based in Rome is hiring a Senior Fishery Officer to oversee aquaculture-related initiatives and provide technical policy advice. The role requires a Master’s degree and ten years of experience in aquaculture development, focusing on leadership and strategic partnerships. A competitive compensation package is offered, alongside benefits such as annual leave and health insurance.

Servizi

Dependency allowances

Education grant for children

30 working days of annual leave

Competenze

• Ten years of relevant experience in aquaculture development.
• Proficiency in English and another FAO language.
• Experience in international aquaculture affairs.

Mansioni

• Plan and manage specialized or multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead and participate in resource mobilization activities.
• Provide technical and policy advice to members.

Conoscenze

Leadership

Project Coordination

Communication Skills

Analytical Abilities

Formazione

Master's degree in aquaculture or related discipline

Descrizione del lavoro

Job Description

Senior Fishery Officer (Aquaculture) – Job ID 2502537.

Job Type: Staff position. Duration: Fixed‑term, two years with possibility of extension.

Post Number: 0505080. COGO Code: 1H05.

Posted: 21 Oct 2025. Closing: 12 Nov 2025.

Location: Rome, Italy.

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO’s activities related to fisheries and aquaculture. The Division focuses on human well‑being, food security and poverty reduction, as well as market development and data dissemination.

The post is located in the Sustainable Aquaculture area of the Division and is based at FAO headquarters in Rome.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Fishery Officer reports directly to the Deputy Director, NFI.

Technical Focus

Lead coordination and operationalisation of meetings of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub‑Committee on Aquaculture and the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITWG AqGR). Work closely with technical secretaries of COFI and the CGRFA to ensure consistency and complementarity; advocate for integration of aquaculture into relevant dialogues on agrifood transformation; coordinate aquaculture contributions to NFI’s inputs for FAO Statutory Bodies; liaise with FAO decentralised offices regarding global and regional agreements.

Key Results

Provide leadership and technical policy expertise for planning, development and implementation of the Division’s programmes of work, projects, products and services in line with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

Plan, manage or lead specialised or multidisciplinary teams; coordinate and participate in organisation‑wide, cross‑division committees, project teams and working groups; provide technical leadership and secretariat services on international technical policy and standard‑setting bodies.

Analyse global and country‑specific requirements and technical issues to provide critical input into strategic frameworks and work plans.

Implement and monitor programmes, develop evidence‑based strategies, tools, methodologies and supporting systems; monitor and report on progress.

Conduct research and analysis to support technical standards, international instruments, publications and programme development.

Provide technical and policy advice to Members and technical support to decentralised offices.

Lead or collaborate in capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Members and prepare related information and tools.

Represent the Organisation at international meetings and conferences, identify and implement strategic partnerships, advocate best practices and policy dialogue, and negotiate working relationships and agreements with stakeholders.

Lead and participate in resource mobilisation activities.

Specific Functions

• Act as Secretary to the COFI Sub‑Committee on Aquaculture (COFI:AQ), including organising regular sessions, intra‑sessional bureau meetings, and coordinating processes with COFI and other sub‑committees.
• Monitor the implementation of COFI:AQ’s programme of work.
• Act as Secretary to the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITWG AqGR), organising regular sessions and intersessional meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of ITWG AqGR’s programme of work.
• Coordinate aquaculture‑related inputs to working documents of FAO’s Statutory Bodies and report on COFI:AQ outcomes.
• Coordinate NFI’s inputs to international aquaculture‑related UN processes, conferences and consultations.
• Manage and update the electronic questionnaire on the implementation of aquaculture‑related provisions of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (COFI:AQ Questionnaire) and oversee analysis of responses.
• Promote COFI:AQ, the Global Sustainable Aquaculture Advancement Partnership (GSAAP) and GSA at international, regional and national levels.
• Liaise with FAO decentralised offices and secretariats of Regional Fisheries Bodies/Aquaculture Networks.
• Coordinate liaison between FAO and regional bodies, economic groups, NGOs and international agencies concerned with aquaculture.
• Contribute to information and awareness‑raising products such as policy briefs, flagship publications, key messages, talking points, presentations, opinion pieces and social media content.
• Initiate, develop and/or manage preparation of proposals to mobilise extra‑budgetary resources.
• Perform other duties as appropriate.

Candidates will be assessed against

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in aquaculture or a related discipline such as biology, zoology, ecology, marine science, agricultural science, political science, international relations, etc.
• Ten years of relevant experience in aquaculture development, including international governance of aquaculture.
• Proficiency (level C) in English and intermediate proficiency (level B) in another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).
• Results‑focused, leading, engaging and empowering, communication skills, partnering and advocating abilities, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, strategic thinking.
• Experience in multiple locations or work areas, especially field positions.
• Leadership, project coordination and management experience, collaboration with national or regional authorities.
• Experience in international aquaculture affairs and development of technical standards and instruments.
• Academic background relevance and depth of knowledge of aquaculture issues.
• Capacity in organising and reporting on international meetings.
• Oral and written communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience establishing and maintaining partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, donors and government institutions.
• Ability to mobilise resources.
• Analytical and technical writing abilities.

Conditions of Service

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, see https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. This includes family‑friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and standards of conduct.

How to Apply

• Visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile.
• Attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
• Once your profile is complete, submit your application.
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Personal information may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf for support services; consent will be requested and can be withdrawn at any time.
• Apply well before the deadline date.

For help or queries, create a one‑time registration with FAO’s client support team at https://fao.service-now.com/csp.