Senior Fishery Officer (Aquaculture)

Senior Fishery Officer (Aquaculture)

Job Number: | Post Number: | CCOG Code: 1H05

Closure Date: 24 Apr 2026 9:59 PM (local time)

Job Type: Staff position, Professional Project, Fixed‑term: one year with possibility of extension.

Location: GFCM Headquarters, Palazzo Bluminsthil, Via Vittoria Colonna 1, Rome, Italy.

Organizational Unit: NFI (Fisheries and Aquaculture Division).

Reporting Line: Reports directly to the GFCM Executive Secretary.

Role Overview: As Senior Fishery Officer (Aquaculture), you will develop and implement policies and work programmes to enhance scientific advice for the GFCM on key aquaculture issues, lead capacity‑building initiatives, and coordinate related technical activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development, and implementation of GFCM aquaculture programmes and work plans.
• Provide technical and policy advice to GFCM Members and decentralised offices.
• Coordinate the GFCM Aquaculture Team and Technical Advisory Groups, ensuring alignment with the Executive Secretary.
• Design and implement capacity‑building programmes and technical assistance for sustainable aquaculture development.
• Represent the organisation at international meetings and conferences; identify strategic partnerships.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams, ensuring collaboration with CAQ, ACBS, and partner organisations.
• Prepare and review technical documents, guidelines, reports, and recommendations.
• Lead and/or participate in resource mobilisation activities aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in aquaculture, marine science, fisheries science, environmental science or a related field.
• Minimum ten years of experience in aquaculture governance, policy development, and strategic planning, with emphasis on marine and coastal aquaculture, hatchery systems, and sustainable resource management.
• Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate proficiency in one FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
• Experience in regional RFMO governance, marine spatial planning, environmental impact assessment, responsible investment, and social acceptability of aquaculture.
• Demonstrated leadership in coordinating regional or international aquaculture initiatives and developing policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong track record in supervising scientific and technical work, including guideline development and regulatory tools.
• Experience in project evaluation, technical oversight and back‑stopping of aquaculture‑related field activities.
• Ability to design, manage, and implement capacity‑building programmes and multidisciplinary projects.

Core Competencies

• Results focus, leading, engaging and empowering.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Partnering and advocating abilities.
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinking.

Conditions of Service

• Competitive compensation and benefits as per the UN salary system.
• Dependent allowances, rental subsidy, education grant for children, home leave travel, 30 working days annual leave.
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.
• International health insurance; optional life insurance; disability protection.
• Eligibility for family‑friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and standards of conduct.

How to Apply

• Visit the FAO recruitment portal at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile.
• Attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
• Submit your application for screening.
• The application will be evaluated against the stated qualifications and core competencies.

For further assistance, create a one‑time registration with FAO’s client support team:

Important information

FAO is committed to workforce diversity; qualified female applicants, persons with disabilities, and under‑represented nationals are encouraged to apply. Compliance with FAO values and a zero‑tolerance policy for misconduct is mandatory. All selected candidates will undergo reference checks, background checks, and confidentiality procedures.