Organizational Setting

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for all FAO activities related to the environmental, economic, social, institutional, governance and policy issues in fisheries and aquaculture, including their sustainable development with particular emphasis on human well-being, food security and poverty reduction. NFI is responsible for the collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up-to-date global, regional and national statistics on production, consumption, trade and livelihoods, including sustainability status.

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 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 with due regard for the protection of the environment and the well-being of fishing communities; and the development of fisheries technology, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels. It also conducts analysis and promotes post-harvest utilization, marketing and use of fisheries and aquaculture products in the context of FAO’s mandate to eliminate hunger and poverty. NFI also develops normative guidelines and has a varied and extensive field programme around the world. The work of NFI is guided by the Blue Transformation Roadmap.

This post is located in the Equitable Livelihoods Team (NFIFL) in NFI and based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Project Officer (Small-Scale Fisheries Coordinator) reports to the Fishery Officer (Small-Scale Fisheries), NFIFL.

Technical Focus
The Project Officer (Small-Scale Fisheries Coordinator) will oversee the “Enhancing equitable, climate-resilient and sustainable small-scale fisheries (SSF) through SSF Guidelines Implementation” project (GCP/GLO/1301/SWE), which supports NFI’s work on SSF through the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Guidelines). In addition to coordination and managerial tasks, the role includes providing technical support for the implementation of both the GCP/GLO/1301/SWE project and the SSF Guidelines in general as appropriate.

Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions
•    Researches and analyses technical-related issues on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports.
•    Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and documents as well as technical input for reports and web pages.
•    Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and projects and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
•    Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
•    Oversees the updating of databases and web pages.
•    Participates in multi-disciplinary 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 policy support, 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.
•    Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions
•    Contributes to the overall functioning and management of the project, maintaining communications with the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the NFIFL team leader, providing updates and reports on project implementation as required.
•    Assists with the design of a project monitoring system and facilitates the regular monitoring and review of project execution, including the preparation of draft progress reports to the donor.
•    Assists the Secretary for the Project Task Force (PTF) and helps convene meetings and prepare the agendas, documents and reports.
•    Collaborates with national staff and relevant colleagues at headquarters and/or in Regional Offices who have been given responsibilities for country outputs or certain activities.
•    Contributes to the preparation of and/or supports quality control of terms of reference (TORs), letters of agreement (LoAs) and other agreements for timely delivery of services by consultants, suppliers, contractors and implementing partners.
•    Supports the LTO as the project’s main focal point with partners and represents the project in relevant meetings and conferences.
•    Contributes to the establishment of contacts with research and development institutions and related international, regional or national partners in developed and developing countries and supports the building of partnerships in the project countries, regions and more broadly for the implementation of the SSF Guidelines.
•    Supports the organization of project workshops and events at national, regional and international levels, including report drafting.
•    Drafts responses to requests for assistance in the implementation of the SSF Guidelines in the context of the project from different stakeholders (governments, SSF actors, regional organizations, etc.) at local, regional and global levels.
•    Supports the Equitable Livelihoods Team in day-to-day work with regard to SSF and contributes to the organization and planning of, as well as taking part in, internal team meetings and work planning processes, as appropriate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
•    Advanced university degree in development, fisheries or natural resource management, social sciences, anthropology, political sciences or similar.
•    Five years of relevant experience in project planning, management and implementation and in the small-scale fisheries sector, including with regard to, for example, policy, governance and management, stakeholder engagement and participation, and organizational and capacity development.
•    Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    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, is desirable.
•    Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to lead and coordinate project activities.
•    Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of small-scale fisheries and their role in rural livelihoods and food security products and their linkage to international policies and processes.
•    Demonstrated analytical and technical writing abilities.
•    Ability to build and maintain professional networks across different institutions and capacity to work with a range of different stakeholders.