Fishery and Aquaculture Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The FAO's Subregional Office for North Africa (SNE) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies to address food, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the North African region. It collaborates with various regional institutions and organizations to enhance food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

Job Overview:
The Fishery and Aquaculture Officer position is crucial for supporting the planning, development, and implementation of regional programs and projects related to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The officer will work closely with the Subregional Coordinator and collaborate with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division at FAO headquarters. The role involves providing comprehensive technical and policy expertise to ensure that regional objectives align with the FAO Strategic Framework. The officer will be responsible for leading multi-disciplinary teams, developing analytical frameworks, conducting research, and providing technical assistance to member countries. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing challenges in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, particularly in relation to illegal fishing practices and the promotion of sustainable management practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Fishery and Aquaculture Officer will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Planning and leading components of multi-disciplinary teams and participating in internal committees and project teams.
• Developing technical, analytical, monitoring, and reporting frameworks to support program planning and implementation.
• Conducting research and data collection to support the development of technical standards and policy proposals.
• Responding to requests for technical assistance from member countries and providing solutions to field projects.
• Collaborating on capacity development and knowledge-sharing activities, including preparing learning materials and online tools.
• Promoting international cooperation and advocating for best practices in fisheries and aquaculture.
• Monitoring the status and trends of fisheries and aquaculture in the subregion and identifying technical assistance needs.
• Providing policy and strategic advice on challenges in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
• Participating in missions for program identification and implementation. 1
• Coordinating FAO's activities with other international organizations and regional bodies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic sciences, development, governance, economics, or related fields with specialization in fisheries or aquaculture. Additionally, candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience in building institutional capacities and developing national fishery policies and programs. This includes experience in capture fisheries, aquaculture, fish processing, and marketing. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in French and intermediate knowledge of English, as well as competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic sciences, development, governance, or economics. Specialization in fisheries or aquaculture is essential to meet the technical demands of the role.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. This experience should include building institutional capacities, developing and implementing national fishery policies, and working in various locations, particularly in developing countries. Experience in policy development and governance systems is also crucial.

Languages:
Proficiency in French (level C) is mandatory, while intermediate knowledge of English (level B) is required. Additional proficiency in English is desirable and would be considered an asset for the position.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Tunis, Tunisia, and is part of a full-time commitment to the FAO's Subregional Office for North Africa. The role may involve travel for missions and collaboration with various stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Candidates should be prepared to engage in resource mobilization activities and contribute to the FAO's strategic objectives.