The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stands at the forefront of global efforts to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition, and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources. As part of its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, FAO continuously seeks skilled professionals who can translate global policy frameworks into impactful action on the ground.
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One such opportunity is the position of Fishery Officer (Fisheries Management), P-3 level, based at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. This role represents a unique chance to contribute directly to the sustainable use and conservation of the world’s aquatic resources while supporting food security and livelihoods worldwide.
FAO’s Vision and the Role of Fisheries Management
FAO’s Strategic Framework emphasizes transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable—summarized in the four betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. Fisheries and aquaculture play a critical role in this transformation. Millions of people depend on fish for nutrition, income, and cultural identity, particularly in developing countries and coastal communities.
The Fishery Officer (Fisheries Management) position sits within the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI), a core unit responsible for addressing the economic, social, governance, and environmental dimensions of fisheries and aquaculture. The Division’s work spans from policy development and statistical analysis to capacity building and field-level project implementation, always with a strong focus on sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and the well-being of fishing communities.
Organizational Setting and Strategic Importance
The post is located within the Assessment and Management Team (NFIFM) at FAO Headquarters in Rome. This team leads FAO’s work on evidence-based fisheries assessment and management, including the promotion and implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF). The EAF is central to modern fisheries governance, integrating ecological, social, and economic considerations to ensure long-term sustainability.
Reporting to the Team Leader (NFIFM) and the Senior Fisheries Officer (Fisheries Management), the Fishery Officer plays a vital role in supporting Member States, regional bodies, and global processes to design and implement effective fisheries management systems, particularly in data-poor and capacity-limited contexts.
Technical Focus and Global Impact
At the heart of this role is the provision of technical support to FAO’s strategic priorities, including Blue Transformation, Small-Scale Producers’ Equitable Access to Resources, Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, Nutrition for the Most Vulnerable, and Resilient Agrifood Systems. The Fishery Officer contributes to the development and implementation of fisheries management plans that secure sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources while promoting economic and social development.
A significant aspect of the work involves advancing the implementation of key global instruments such as the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), and the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines). Through these frameworks, the role supports participatory, inclusive, and science-based management approaches that respond to the realities of diverse fisheries worldwide.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
The Fishery Officer (Fisheries Management) undertakes a broad range of responsibilities that blend research, policy support, and practical implementation. Core functions include researching and analyzing fisheries and aquaculture data—covering technical, social, economic, environmental, and institutional dimensions—to inform FAO programmes, projects, and publications. The role also involves producing technical reports, statistics, guidance materials, and web-based content that contribute to global knowledge sharing.
Another critical function is providing technical backstopping to field projects, ensuring that fisheries management initiatives are grounded in best practices and adapted to local contexts. The Officer participates in multidisciplinary teams, collaborates across FAO divisions and offices, and supports capacity development activities within Member Countries. This includes designing and delivering training programmes, developing learning materials, and promoting best practices at international meetings and conferences.
Resource mobilization is also part of the mandate, with the Fishery Officer supporting efforts to secure funding aligned with FAO’s Strategic Framework. Through stakeholder engagement and partnership-building, the role helps strengthen regional and international collaboration, particularly with Regional Fisheries Bodies and other global processes.
Specialized Contributions to Fisheries Management
Beyond general functions, the position includes specific responsibilities that require a high level of technical expertise. These include conducting reviews of fisheries management systems to identify emerging issues and global trends, and contributing to the development of EAF-compatible fisheries management plans that balance ecological sustainability with social and economic objectives.
The Fishery Officer actively supports Member Countries in engaging stakeholders—such as fishers, communities, and institutions—to foster participatory management approaches. Collaboration with FAO decentralized offices and national fisheries institutions is essential, particularly in implementing international guidelines and strengthening governance frameworks. The role may also involve supervising consultants, editing technical reference documents, and contributing to FAO’s work within the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management.
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Qualifications and Competencies
Candidates for this role are expected to hold an advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in fisheries management, aquatic sciences, natural resource management, natural resource economics, or a related field. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in fisheries management, governance, or policy-making is required, with demonstrated field experience in developing countries.
Language skills are essential in FAO’s multilingual environment. Applicants must have working knowledge of English (Level C) and intermediate knowledge (Level B) of another FAO official language—Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Working knowledge of French is considered a strong asset.
In addition to technical expertise, FAO values core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing with continuous improvement. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong analytical and technical writing skills, experience in multicultural and multilingual settings, and the ability to mediate competing interests related to fisheries and natural resource use.
Conditions of Service and Benefits
This is a fixed-term professional staff position (P-3 level) with an initial duration of two years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability. FAO offers a competitive compensation and benefits package in line with the United Nations Common System. Benefits may include dependency allowances, rental subsidy, education grants for children, home leave travel, 30 working days of annual leave per year, pension entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, international health insurance, optional life insurance, and disability protection.
FAO is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and diverse workplace culture. Flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and high standards of professional conduct are integral to the organization’s approach. FAO also maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct, including discrimination, harassment, and abuse of authority.
Why This Role Matters
The Fishery Officer (Fisheries Management) position is more than a job—it is an opportunity to shape the future of global fisheries governance. By supporting sustainable management practices, strengthening institutional capacity, and promoting inclusive decision-making, the role contributes directly to food security, poverty reduction, and environmental conservation. For professionals passionate about sustainable development and the responsible use of aquatic resources, this position offers a meaningful and impactful career path within the United Nations system.
