Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

·    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
·    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
·    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
·    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems   transformation; and 
·    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position will be assigned in Cagayan Province, with field missions within Isabela Province and Cagayan Province.

Reporting Lines

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in the Philippines and in close collaboration with the Project Team Coordinator, Programme Management Specialist (PMU) and Community Resilience and Emergency Response Adviser.

Technical Focus

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist will be responsible for providing technical leadership in the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture interventions that improve productivity, livelihood security, and resilience of fisherfolk and aquaculture communities. It also involves conducting technical assessments, supporting capacity building and partner coordination, promoting sustainable and energy-efficient practices, integrating inclusion considerations, and contributing to project reporting, knowledge products, and evidence-based decision-making.

Tasks and responsibilities

·    Provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture interventions that enhance the productivity, resilience, and livelihood security of small-scale fisherfolk, aquaculture operators, and fisherfolk cooperatives and associations.
·    Conduct site-specific technical assessments of fisheries and aquaculture livelihoods, including climate risks, fuel dependency, water availability, production constraints, post-harvest needs, and opportunities for energy-efficient and climate-adaptive technologies.
·    Recommend appropriate fisheries and aquaculture intervention packages based on local conditions, seasonal and climate risks, market access, beneficiary needs, and alignment with FAO standards and government priorities.
·    Support the integration of fisheries and aquaculture concerns into the project’s climate-resilient agriculture approach, ensuring that fishing and aquaculture households benefit from cash-plus support, climate-adaptive livelihood options, and risk-informed technical assistance.
·    Provide technical inputs to the identification, specification, procurement, quality assurance, and deployment of fisheries and aquaculture inputs, equipment, and technologies, including energy-efficient production and post-production systems.
·    Promote sustainable and climate-smart fisheries and aquaculture practices, including improved aquaculture management, water-use efficiency, responsible fishing practices, post-harvest handling, fish processing, cold storage, drying, and other measures that reduce losses and improve livelihood returns.
·    Support the adoption of energy-efficient and climate-resilient technologies for fishing and aquaculture households, such as solar-powered pumps, water management systems, cold chain facilities, drying technologies, fuel-efficient fishing practices, and other appropriate low-input solutions.
·    Develop, adapt, and deliver training modules, extension materials, and practical guidance on climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture, sustainable production practices, post-harvest management, food safety, value addition, and risk-informed livelihood planning.
·    Facilitate and organize capacity-building activities for fisherfolk, aquaculture operators, women and youth groups, farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives and associations, local government units, and community-based organizations.
·    Provide technical mentoring and field-based advisory support to fisherfolk and aquaculture groups to improve production practices, strengthen organizational capacities, and support the sustained adoption of climate-resilient technologies and practices.
·    Integrate Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion considerations into fisheries and aquaculture interventions, ensuring the meaningful participation of women-headed households, persons with disabilities, youth, and other vulnerable groups.
·    Support the implementation of anticipatory and early action measures for fishing and aquaculture households by linking project activities with early warning information, seasonal forecasts, localized advisories, and community preparedness measures.
·    Coordinate with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Agriculture, local government units, fisherfolk organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and other partners to ensure technical alignment, complementarity, and avoidance of duplication.
·    Participate in technical working groups, sectoral coordination meetings, stakeholder consultations, and field missions related to fisheries, aquaculture, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and livelihood recovery.
·    Support the strengthening of linkages between fisherfolk organizations, extension services, local government units, service providers, markets, and support institutions to promote sustainability of project benefits.
·    Collect, analyze, and organize fisheries and aquaculture-related data, field observations, beneficiary feedback, and implementation lessons to guide project planning, adaptive management, and evidence-based decision-making.
·    Support monitoring of fisheries and aquaculture interventions, including tracking adoption of climate-resilient practices, use of energy-efficient technologies, production outcomes, post-harvest improvements, and beneficiary participation.
·    Document good practices, innovations, lessons learned, success stories, and practical recommendations on climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture livelihoods.
·    Provide technical inputs to project documents, work plans, progress reports, donor reports, knowledge products, visibility materials, and other technical outputs related to fisheries, aquaculture, and climate-resilient livelihoods.
·    Prepare field mission reports, technical briefs, and an end-of-assignment report summarizing achievements, challenges, recommendations, and opportunities for strengthening fisheries and aquaculture resilience.
·    Carry out any other relevant duties within technical competence as required by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements    

·    Advanced university degree in aquaculture, fisheries, environmental sciences, and other related studies on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem-based adaptation, coastal resilience.
·    At least 5 years professional experience in the field of systems assessment and diagnosis, good aquaculture practices, climate-smart approaches, and rural development
·    Working knowledge (level C) of English 
·    A national of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

·    Results Focus
·    Teamwork
·    Communication
·    Building Effective Relationships
·    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

·    Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
·    Excellent writing, and report writing skills in English and Filipino.
·    Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
·    Working knowledge of relevant local dialects is an advantage  
·    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino.
·    General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION