National Aquaculture Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is dedicated to advancing the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which aims to support the transformation towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. Established in 1945, FAO operates globally with a mission to eradicate hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. The organization employs thousands of individuals across various countries, working collaboratively to promote better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced livelihoods, ensuring that no one is left behind. The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is a key component of FAO, responsible for developing and implementing strategies and projects that drive the transformation of food, agriculture, and rural development in the Pacific region. It also fosters relationships with subregional institutions and provides technical support to governments in the region, including Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Cook Islands, through various projects aimed at enhancing aquaculture and food security.

Job Overview:
The National Aquaculture Specialist position is crucial for supporting the establishment and strengthening of sustainable and climate-smart mariculture activities in Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Cook Islands. The role involves developing strategic national action plans for targeted commodities, assessing and validating climate-smart farming strategies, and building stakeholder capacity through training and provision of essential inputs for farming, processing, and marketing. The specialist will work closely with government agencies and project managers to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of outputs from the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) projects. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve the project's goals of improving food security and supporting local economies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Aquaculture Specialist will be responsible for a comprehensive set of tasks, including:

• Providing technical and logistical assistance for the collection and compilation of aquaculture sector data to refine current baseline data.
• Assisting in the development of National action plans for targeted commodities and climate-smart aquaculture strategies.
• Designing, implementing, and monitoring pilot climate-smart mariculture activities.
• Offering technical assistance to government counterparts on project activities.
• Supporting the procurement of aquaculture materials through FAO-SAP.
• Providing logistical support to training and capacity-building activities, including conducting gap analyses and developing training programs for Ministry staff and communities.
• Assisting in organizing national workshops and exchange visits, including participant identification and travel arrangements.
• Supporting record-keeping, monitoring, and reporting of National Letters of Agreement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in fisheries, environment, agriculture, aquaculture, mariculture, or related fields. Additionally, they should have at least two years of experience working in a relevant field, demonstrating practical knowledge and skills applicable to aquaculture or mariculture development. A working knowledge of English is essential, and candidates must be nationals of Tuvalu, Kiribati, or Cook Islands, or residents of the relevant country with a valid work permit. The role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural project partners.

Educational Background:
A university degree in fisheries, environment, agriculture, aquaculture, mariculture, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively contribute to the development of sustainable aquaculture practices and strategies in the Pacific Islands.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of experience in fields related to fisheries, environment, agriculture, aquaculture, or mariculture. This experience should include practical involvement in aquaculture or mariculture development, managing logistical arrangements, and conducting training for community members. Experience in writing quality reports and coordinating training, workshops, or capacity-building activities for community stakeholders is also essential.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an advantage, as it can facilitate communication with diverse stakeholders and enhance collaboration in project implementation.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a two-year FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project, and candidates will be assessed against specific selection criteria, including demonstrated practical experience in aquaculture or mariculture development, experience managing logistical arrangements, and knowledge of FAO procedures or other international donor-funded project implementation. The role may involve travel within the Pacific region, and candidates should be prepared for potential fieldwork and engagement with local communities.