National Fisheries Emergency Preparedness, Capacity Development and Recovery Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN established to lead international efforts to defeat hunger. With a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all, FAO aims to ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization has 195 members, including 194 countries and the European Union, and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, facilitating partnerships and resources to deliver technical assistance and develop capacities while adhering to international standards of accountability. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, aligning its efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Iran and is part of the project TCP/IRA/4101, which provides emergency assistance for the early rehabilitation of fisheries and aquaculture livelihoods in Hormozgan Province. The consultant will focus on emergency preparedness, continuity planning, capacity development, and recovery planning. This role involves conducting rapid needs assessments to guide activities and identify requirements for the project. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad, Iran Fisheries Organization, local councils, cooperatives, and community representatives. The incumbent will be responsible for assessing preparedness and institutional capacity needs, translating findings into practical measures, and strengthening local capacity to implement plans.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will review the approved project document and previous assessments to support the preparation of a focused assessment methodology and mission schedule. They will conduct rapid needs-assessment missions to selected sites in Hormozgan, assessing essential services, disruption risks, and training needs. The consultant will document evidence and prepare a prioritized action matrix for preparedness and continuity support. They will contribute to drafting technical requirements for goods and services, prepare contingency and business continuity plans, and design capacity-development activities for fisheries officers and community service providers. Additionally, the consultant will consolidate recovery and resource-mobilization plans, maintain records of deliverables, and report on the consultancy's outcomes while adhering to environmental and social requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fisheries, aquaculture, natural resource management, environment, rural development, disaster risk management, or a closely related field. They should have at least five years of relevant experience in fisheries or emergency preparedness, including field needs assessment and participatory work with communities. A working knowledge of English and fluency in Persian are mandatory. Candidates must be nationals of Iran or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as fisheries, aquaculture, natural resource management, environment, rural development, or disaster risk management is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of fisheries livelihoods and emergency preparedness.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in areas such as fishery or emergency preparedness, contingency planning, institutional capacity development, or recovery planning. Experience should include conducting field needs assessments and engaging with fisheries or natural-resource-dependent communities.

Languages:
Fluency in Persian is mandatory, and a working knowledge of English is also required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Tehran, Iran, and follows the UN-Iran workweek from Sunday to Thursday. The specific contract duration and compensation details are not provided in the job advertisement. Candidates should be prepared for authorized field missions and must demonstrate the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.