Join to apply for the Fishery Officer (Fisheries Management) role at FAO
Organizational Setting
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO's activities related to fisheries and aquaculture and their development, with particular emphasis on human well‑being, food security and poverty reduction; post‑harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the well‑being of fishing communities; collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up‑to‑date fishery statistics and for the syndication of the FAO information on all aspects of world fisheries and aquaculture. 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 the most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats; management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices; development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the well‑being of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.
The post is located in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters, in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Fishery Officer reports to the Team Leader (NFIFM) and to the Senior Fisheries Officer (Fisheries Management).
Technical Focus
Provision of support to FAO's work related to the implementation of the FAO Strategic Programmes, the relevant FAO Programme Priority Areas, particularly on Blue Transformation, Small‑Scale Producers' Equitable Access to Resources, Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, Nutrition for the Most Vulnerable, Resilient Agri‑Food Systems, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Fishery Officer (Fisheries Management) contributes to NFIFM's work on the design, development and implementation of fisheries management plans and measures to secure the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources for food security and economic and social development. This includes support to the advancement of the implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. The work includes providing support at the global, regional and national level, such as contributing to the development of field programmes and projects to support member States and other relevant partners, which require a better understanding and capacity on fisheries management with emphasis on small‑scale fisheries.
Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Key Functions

Researches, analyses and provides access to fisheries and aquaculture technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related data, information and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of fisheries and aquaculture programmes, projects, products, publications and services.
Produces a variety of technical data, statistics, information and reports, as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and initiatives, and/or assessments; provides technical backstopping to field projects.
Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/economic/environmental/nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres 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 Members, such as organisational 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.
Supports resource mobilisation activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

Performs research and data collation/collection efforts, including reviews of fisheries management systems, aimed at identifying and addressing major issues and trends in global fisheries management which require action.
Contributes to or leads the development of technical documents, guidance and tools related to the design, implementation and monitoring of EAF‑compatible fisheries management plans covering ecological, economic and social objectives.
Contributes to or leads the planning and implementation of capacity development programmes and field projects aimed at improving fisheries management effectiveness in selected country members.
Actively supports the strengthening of regional and international collaboration in fisheries management, particularly in relation to Regional Fisheries Bodies and Global processes, engaging with relevant partners as necessary.
Actively supports Member Countries and Regional Fisheries Bodies in engaging stakeholders for improved and participatory fisheries management.
Actively engages and collaborates with and provides support to FAO Decentralised Offices and Fisheries‑related institutions of Member countries, in particular around activities related to the implementation of the CCRF, the EAF and the SSF Guidelines.
Contributes to the identification of and provides technical supervision and assistance to consultants on fisheries management‑related tasks.
Supports or leads the preparation and/or editing of documents and reference works related to FAO's work on fisheries management, including in the framework of the Sub‑Committee on Fisheries Management.

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in aquatic and fishery sciences, fisheries management, natural resource economics, natural resource management, or related fields.
Five years of relevant experience in fisheries management, governance and/or policy making, with field experience in developing countries.
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 and knowledge in planning, coordinating and supervising work, as appropriate, related to fisheries management in data‑poor and technical capacity‑limited situations.
Extent and relevance of experience in or knowledge of the analysis of fisheries data and information for fisheries management and policy advice.
Extent and relevance of experience in and knowledge of fisheries management, including the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, the development and implementation of fisheries management plans, the fisheries management cycle and application of participatory approaches in data‑poor and technical capacity‑limited situations.
Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support and advice on fisheries management to national, regional or global fisheries management and research institutions.
Extent and relevance of experience in designing, planning and delivering training programmes and actions.
Demonstrated analytical and technical writing abilities.
Depth of familiarity with the fisheries sector in developing countries, and the fisheries management challenges in these situations.
Proven capacity to work with a range of institutional stakeholders, in multicultural and multilanguage situations.
Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating and liaising with relevant international and regional organisations dealing with above‑mentioned subjects.
Extent and relevance of experience in mediating conflicting interests related to fisheries or the use or conservation of natural resources, including working with groups of stakeholders with widely different backgrounds and interests.
Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of French is a strong asset.

Job Posting
02/Jan/2026
Closure Date
24/Jan/2026, 6:59:00 AM
Organizational Unit
NFI
Job Type
Staff position
Type of Requisition
Professional
Grade Level
P‑3
Primary Location
Italy‑Rome
Duration
Fixed‑term: two years with possibility of extension
Post Number
0116823
CCOG Code
1H05
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Management and Manufacturing
Industries
Non‑profit Organisations
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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 under‑represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
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