Fishery Officer (Compliance)

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) works with Members and partners to transform aquatic systems and promote responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Leaving no one behind.

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. Its main objective is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best use of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. To this end, the GFCM adopts binding recommendations and other resolutions and ensures these decisions are effectively implemented. The GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team is responsible for the assessment and monitoring of compliance with these decisions, by analysing all compliance‑related data and information annually collected from GFCM Contracting Parties (CPCs) and cooperating with non‑Contracting Parties. It also proactively assists CPCs in enhancing their capacity to address relevant fisheries and aquaculture obligations, including through enhanced regulatory or monitoring, control and surveillance frameworks. The annual assessment and monitoring of compliance is instrumental to the evaluation of performance at the country level that is overseen by the GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team in close coordination with national focal points. The GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team is tasked to promote cooperation, including with other Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), in matters of common interest in relation to specific sets of compliance data and information, such as information required for the compilation and update of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) lists.

The position is located in the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl, Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer (Compliance) reports to the GFCM Executive Secretary and collaborates with relevant staff in the GFCM Secretariat, both at the GFCM office in Rome, Italy, and in the subregional technical units, transversally. S/he leads the GFCM Secretariat Compliance Team.

Technical Focus

Support the full compliance with GFCM policies by Contracting Parties and Cooperating non‑Contracting Parties (CPCs) related to decisions adopted, in accordance with the mandate of the GFCM and its Compliance Committee; Targets 2 and 5 of the GFCM 2030 Strategy; select objectives in Ministerial Declarations in place; and relevant policy instruments and working relationships with relevant organisations and stakeholders.

Key Results

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

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on organisation‑wide, cross‑divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides specialised expertise in 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 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 Decentralised Offices and provides technical back‑stopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical back‑stopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organisational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, online tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilisation activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Oversees, in coordination with the Executive Secretary, the work of the Compliance Committee, including monitoring and assessment of compliance by GFCM CPCs with existing recommendations, strengthening of regional, subregional and national data reporting frameworks, and provision of technical assistance to CPCs to address lack of compliance.
• Leads the GFCM Compliance Team and periodically liaises with relevant GFCM Secretariat staff, in particular the team leaders of the Fisheries and Aquaculture teams on matters of common interest to the Compliance Committee and the Scientific Advisory committees for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
• Participates in the strategic planning of GFCM activities, and specifically in preparing, reviewing and implementing the workplan of the Compliance Committee, as approved by the Commission and carried out during the inter‑session.
• Provides compliance‑related advice to the Executive Secretary, including regarding relevant national, regional and international priorities and needs relating to compliance or lack thereof, and the application of tools and tables for the assessment, monitoring and strengthening of compliance based on GFCM recommendations. Specifically, provides advice on compliance matters stemming from the implementation of GFCM joint inspection schemes, including in relation to the conduct of inspections and the application of monitoring, control and surveillance standards at the national level.
• Assists national focal points involved in the activities of the Compliance Committee, with particular regard to the implementation of activities associated with the fight against IUU fishing and the modular implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance, as well as the annual assessment of compliance by the Compliance Committee and the provision of technical assistance on topics such as monitoring, control and surveillance technology, inspection procedures and reports, vessel monitoring system formats and protocols and the harmonisation of control data.
• Represents the GFCM to ensure visibility of its compliance‑related work in relevant meetings, in particular in relation to compliance issues and the fight against IUU fishing, including on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
• Acts as a contact point for partner organisations on topics related to compliance in order to build synergies and commonalities, specifically for other RFMO compliance officers.
• Liaises with relevant FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres, as well as with relevant experts outside the Organisation, to promote and implement initiatives relating to the fight against IUU fishing and the implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance measures.
• Contributes to the development of a modular approach to monitoring, control and surveillance by the GFCM, including the implementation of a vessel monitoring system, electronic logbook and other control tools.
• Performs duties, where necessary and required, as related to the above duties.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fishery science, marine affairs or in any related field, in particular, to compliance processes.
• Seven years of relevant experience in fisheries, with a strong focus on actions supporting the fight against IUU fishing, including through the implementation, monitoring and assessment of management measures adopted by national, regional or international organisations, the provision of technical support, on monitoring, control and surveillance including on regulatory and institutional issues, as well as the implementation of inspection schemes.
• 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
• Team Work
• 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 or knowledge of the regulatory framework at country, subregional and regional levels and of measures to assess and ensure compliance with fisheries related measures in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of advice in relation to the implementation of measures adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and familiarity with the operations of compliance committees established by RFMOs.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and organisation of technical meetings, in particular on issues relating to the fight against IUU fishing.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of technical support and advice to governments on monitoring, control and surveillance and related institutional issues.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with governments and organisations and to participate in international/regional meetings and forums.
• Familiarity with the formulation and the implementation of projects that include a compliance component, with particular regard to issues such as IUU fishing and monitoring, control and surveillance.
• Proficiency in the preparation and revision of technical documents and reports.
• Knowledge of GFCM policies will be an asset.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of Arabic, French or Spanish will be a strong asset.

Job Posting

18/Mar/2026

Closure Date

08/Apr/2026, 10:59:00 PM

Organisational Unit

NFI

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional Project

Grade Level

P-4

Primary Location

Italy‑Rome

Duration

Fixed‑term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number

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.

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• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non‑ and under‑represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director‑General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organisation.

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 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.