Fisheries Control and Monitoring Specialist

Provide technical support for combating IUU fishing and develop National Strategy.

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline in 13 days: Friday 12 Jun 2026 at 21:59 UTC

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Overview

Provide technical support for combating IUU fishing and develop National Strategy.

You have:

  • High level academic degree (Masters or PhD) in Fisheries, or related field;
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the fisheries sector or a related field in Viet Nam;
  • Working knowledge of English (level C), excellent command of Vietnamese
  • National of Viet Nam or resident of the country with valid work permit.

Organizational Setting

Viet Nam become a Party to the PSMA on 3 January 2019. Following a request from Viet Nam for technical assistance within the framework of article 21 of the PSMA, FAO agreed to commence with a preliminary needs assessment supported by funding from the project GCP/GLO/1200/EC. The first step in the needs assessment was the delivery of a multiagency workshop to undertake an initial review of existing policies and legislation, institutional arrangements, and Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems and operations which was held in December 2024. Subsequently, FAO and the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam agreed to proceed with a PSMA capacity development support project under GCP/GLO/1253/EC to a) develop a fully-fledged gap analysis leading to a National Strategy and Action Plan with a focus on flag State responsibilities such as the registration, licensing, monitoring and control of vessels, along with port, coastal and market State measures; b) a review of Viet Nam’s legal framework and MCS systems for combatting IUU fishing; and c) support for information exchange processes. The project was initiated in May 2026 with the signing of the project document by both parties.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Senior Fisheries Officer. The incumbent will work under the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Viet Nam, the day-to-day management and technical supervision of the Senior Fisheries Officer in FAO HQ.

Technical Focus

The incumbent is expected to help enhance the International Consultant team’s understanding of the current situation of PSMA implementation in Viet Nam, with the aim to formulate a National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) covering flag, coastal, port and market State responsibilities for combating IUU fishing.

This includes but is not limited to: collecting data from port visits and documenting current PSMA practices, summarizing relevant documents provided by government partner, conducting research as required, reviewing the assessment report on PSMA implementation and the draft National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) covering flag, coastal, port and market State responsibilities for combating IUU fishing.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Fisheries Control and Monitoring Specialist will be responsible for providing technical support for the implementation of the project, specifically: • Provide a comprehensive overview of Viet Nam's fisheries sector • Provide inputs to support the International Consultants in understanding the legal and regulatory framework for the implementation of the PSMA and for combating IUU fishing in Viet Nam • Support the formulation of a PSMA implementation assessment as well as other systems for combatting IUU fishing in Viet Nam • Support the organisation of consultative workshops with stakeholders • Assist international consultants in developing reports pertaining to the above topics • Support the development of the National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) covering flag, coastal, port and market State responsibilities for combatting IUU fishing • Other tasks relevant to the assignment as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• High level academic degree (Masters or PhD) in Fisheries, or related field; • At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the fisheries sector or a related field in Viet Nam; • Working knowledge of English (level C), excellent command of Vietnamese • National of Viet Nam or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations/workshops; • Strong understanding of institutional frameworks and regulatory systems governing fisheries; • Strong analytical thinking, interpersonal skills as well as report writing skills; • Relevant experience in working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, particularly in multilateral organizations; • Experience in working with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, provinces, private sectors, etc.); • Relevant experience in coordinating and working with both international and local institutions. • Proven ability to deliver quality outputs working under tight deadlines.

Potential interview questions

Describe a time you facilitated a multi-stakeholder consultation or workshop. This assesses your experience in engaging various stakeholders effectively. Highlight the process you followed, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.
How do you evaluate the effectiveness of regulatory systems in the fisheries sector? This question gauges your analytical skills and understanding of fisheries regulations. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of a time you worked in a multidisciplinary team? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you use to engage with government partners in Viet Nam? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain your knowledge of the PSMA and its relevance to Viet Nam's fisheries management. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What challenges do you foresee in implementing a National Strategy for combating IUU fishing in Viet Nam? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure quality outputs under tight deadlines? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Discuss a situation where you had to analyze and summarize complex information for a report. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 hour ago - Updated 1 hour ago - Source: fao.org