Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division is one of FAO’s core technical divisions under the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production stream at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Division collaborates with Members and partners to promote for the responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems, aiming for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. To fulfil its mandate, the Division focuses on the global development of fisheries and aquaculture through the implementation of its Blue Transformation a strategic approach that outlines a vision for sustainable and resilient aquatic food systems. Additionally, it extends support to Members through normative instruments and in collaborations with regional fishery bodies (RFBs) established within the framework of the FAO Constitution.
The position is either home-based or located at FAO headquarters, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy.

The New Aquatic Food Value Chains development for sustainable healthy diets for the most vulnerable in fragile contexts (NAVAC) formulation project aims to develop a full-size programme with a focus specifically on the development of new aquatic products that can provide key nutrients to vulnerable populations, provide livelihoods, and generate jobs through the development of sustainable value chains.

Reporting Lines

The Project Formulation and Implementation Specialist reports report to the relevant NFI officers and collaborate with pertinent NFI staff.

Technical Focus 

Development, implementation and coordination of fisheries and aquaculture projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Formulate and coordinate of cooperation and development of projects (including NAVAC) in one or more countries in liaison with national teams, and complementing the inputs of various specialists, and other team members;
•    Support and monitor the value chain development formulation of projects, facilitating linkages between stakeholders, including the formation of Multi-stakeholder Partnerships, and the organization of workshops;
•    Collaborate closely with consultants (national and international) responsible for value chain development and ensure the creation of a sustainable systems-based value chain approach;
•    Develop and maintain partnerships with relevant institutions, country and regional stakeholders who can contribute to achieving NAVAC and other value chain project objectives;
•    Integrate the M&E of the programme with a M&E specialist at project level;
•    Support the inclusion of global learning across the project by exchanging information with related value chains, share lessons learned and best practices to improve the methodology, and its application for potential fisheries and aquaculture projects going forward;
•    Contribute to the development of a knowledge base on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture value chain development;
•    Collaborate closely with project managers and country focal points to design and maintain databases to effectively store and manage project-related data as well as develop budgets and expenditure monitoring systems;
•    Perform other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in economic development, agribusiness, evaluation, fisheries and aquaculture, food science/technology, food industries, international development studies or a related field.
•    At least 12 years (for COF, category A), 15 years (for PSA, category A), five years (for category B) or one year (for category C) of relevant experience in funding applications and project development and management international, capacity building, assessment, value chain, economic, programme development, social and/or fisheries/aquaculture development.
•    Working knowledge (Level C)of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (Level B) of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian.  (for PSA only one of the above languages at a working level)

FAO Core 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 is essential
•    Extent and relevance of experience in technical areas such as, EU project formulation and development, value chain development, post-harvest improvements, marketing and market access of fisheries and aquaculture products, access to finance and finance literacy, alternative livelihoods, fisheries and aquaculture technology and –equipment, alternative aquaculture feed development
•    Proven experience in in database management is a plus
•    An advanced degree in the technical areas specified is a valued attribute
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the Africa and Near-east region is a plus
•    Ability to plan and organize own work, deliver results and meet deadlines
•    Ability to write clear and concise technical documents in English and/or French/Spanish
•    Ability to effectively lead multi-disciplinary teams
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills