IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
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Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
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Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
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FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
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All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
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All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
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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 Organization.
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.
FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (MAFAR) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is implementing a Government Cooperative Programme funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project, Development of Sustainable Fishery Value Chains in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, aims to sustain and improve productivity and resilience of aquaculture/fisheries enterprises in the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao. Specifically, this project will focus on improving efficiency and sustainability of local aquatic food value chains and market linkages, increase capacity of small-scale producers to augment their income through entrepreneurship using alternative species and processing for value-addition, empower them and their organizations on improved and resilient aquaculture/fisheries technologies and appropriate postharvest processing, and enhance the knowledge and skills of MAFAR and LGU fishery personnel on monitoring and managing fish stock.
Reporting Lines
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist will report to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).
Technical Focus
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist will provide technical guidance and support in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project interventions on aquaculture and capture fisheries in BARMM. S/he will support capacity development of fisherfolk organizations, women’s groups, MAFAR and LGU staff on aquaculture production, post-harvest management, biosecurity, and value addition, while ensuring sustainability, climate resilience, and halal compliance of fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Provide technical inputs in the planning, design, and implementation of project interventions on aquaculture and capture fisheries, including hatchery development, grow-out systems, aqua-feed production, and livelihood support.
- Assist in identifying and selecting suitable sites for hatcheries, aquaculture farms, and cold chain facilities, ensuring compliance with FAO’s Environmental and Social Safeguards.
- Design and deliver capacity-building programs for fisherfolk cooperatives, associations, and women’s groups on aquaculture production, hatchery management, entrepreneurship, nutrition-sensitive aquaculture, and value addition.
- Support the training of MAFAR and LGU technical staff on fisheries resource assessment, stock monitoring, aquaculture management, biosecurity, and Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP).
- Provide technical backstopping during training workshops and exposure visits.
- Provide technical oversight in the establishment, rehabilitation, and operation of marine and freshwater hatcheries, nurseries, and feed mills, ensuring production of quality fry, fingerlings, and halal-certified feeds.
- Support the rollout of aquaculture livelihood interventions, particularly in MILF camps and vulnerable communities, including organizational development and financial literacy training.
- Ensure the adoption of climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices.
- Assist in resource assessments of marine, coastal, and freshwater ecosystems to guide planning of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
- Provide technical advice in the design and operation of cold chain facilities (ice plants, refrigerated trucks, cool boxes) to reduce post-harvest losses.
- Support training of trainers and local entrepreneurs in fish handling, food safety, value addition, and halal-certified product development.
- Consolidate and analyze technical data on aquaculture production, hatchery performance, and fisheries resource assessments.
- Support the preparation of technical manuals, training modules, and IEC materials on aquaculture production, biosecurity, food safety, and halal compliance.
- Provide advisory support for laboratory strengthening in fish health, aquatic biosecurity, and certification processes.
- Work closely with MAFAR, LGUs, fisherfolk groups, women’s associations, private sector partners, and academic/research institutions to ensure ownership and sustainability of project interventions.
- Facilitate linkages with markets, certification bodies, and service providers for aquaculture and fishery products.
- Contribute to regular coordination meetings, progress reviews, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
- Prepare technical reports, training documentation, and field activity reports as inputs to project progress reports.
- Document lessons learned, good practices, and success stories for dissemination and replication.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- University degree in fisheries, aquaculture, or related field with complementary knowledge in agricultural development planning
- At least 5 years practical experience in the implementation of projects on fisheries and/or aquaculture projects at the field level;
- Working knowledge (level C) of English
- A national of the Philippines or a legal resident with a valid work permit
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 written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
- General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
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Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
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Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
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For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
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Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
- To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
- Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
- Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
- Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
- Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
- Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
- We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
