FAO’s Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa (RAF).

The position is part of the Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) and is based in Maputo, Mozambique.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer (Secretary, South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission – SWIOFC) reports to the Subregional Coordinator, SFS, while maintaining regular contact with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, for functional guidance on matters relating to policy, governance and management support in the fisheries sector and working closely with RAF on regional issues.

Technical Focus

Coordination and leadership of fisheries duties at the subregional level.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of office programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with office objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Acts as a Secretary of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), based in Maputo, Mozambique.
• Organizes and facilitates sessions of SWIOFC and its subsidiary bodies.
• Ensures the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of this body, including the carrying out of its programme of work and publications.
• Liaises with the appropriate government officials, fishery institutions and international governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with fisheries through visits and correspondence.
• Provides policy and strategic advice on the main fisheries and aquaculture sector challenges in the framework of the FAO Blue Transformation Roadmap, particularly in the areas of aquaculture development, fisheries management and sustainable aquatic foods value chains.
• Collaborates with and supports the development of the capacity of regional/subregional fisheries management organizations, regional economic groupings and regional partners of the SWIOFC, including the Indian Ocean Commission to leverage FAO’s inputs and visibility.
• Promotes sustainable fish production and utilization for food and livelihoods through initiation and formulation of projects.
• Encourages and monitors the implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for responsible fisheries and related fisheries instruments.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in biology, fishery science, marine ecology, fisheries economics or marine affairs with a specialization in fisheries management and/or governance or other fields related to fisheries.
• Seven years of relevant experience in fishery research or application of micro and macro-economic techniques to aquaculture or assessment development or management of fisheries, fishery products safety and quality, field of statistics and data management of fisheries, or related field.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in analysing fisheries and related issues.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of fish utilization, safety and quality at national and international levels.
• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition.
• Ability to mobilize resources.
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of fish stock assessment, quantitative analysis related to the management of fisheries.
• Extent and relevance of experience in analysing fisheries and related issues and fisheries research and management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing scientific support and advice to national, regional and global fisheries research and management institutions.

Job Posting

05/May/2025

Closure Date

27/May/2025, 6:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit

SFS

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional

Grade Level

P-4

Primary Location

Mozambique-Maputo

Duration

Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number

0827142

CCOG Code

1H05

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production , better nutrition , a better environment, and a better life , leaving no one behind.

Apply for this job: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2501170