Fishery Officer (Biosecurity/Aquatic Species Health)

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. 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 the biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance, with particular emphasis on 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 Food Safety, Nutrition and Health Team (NFIMF) and based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Fishery Officer reports to the Aquaculture Officer/Team Leader of NFIMF.

Technical Focus Provision of support to FAO's work related to the implementation of the FAO Strategic Programme 2022-2031, the FAO Programme Priority Areas on Blue Transformation, One Health, Safe Food for sustainable food and agriculture and the UN Sustainable Development Goals and relevant technical guidelines of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (No. 5 Supplements 2 and 8) and the FAO Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2021-2025).

Key Results Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions • Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services. • Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages. • Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects. • Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases. • Participates in multi-disciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies 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 member countries, such as policy support, organizational 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 mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

Specific Functions • Provides technical and operational support to the implementation of Aquaculture Biosecurity Programme and its five pillars:

(1) strengthening disease prevention at farm level through responsible fish farming and good biosecurity practices (including reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture and application of suitable alternatives to antimicrobials) and other science-based and technology-proven measures; (2) improving aquaculture biosecurity through implementing the Progressive Management Pathway, enhancing the interpretation and implementation of international standards and strengthening the One Health approach by bringing together state and non-state (producers and value chain stakeholders) actors, international and regional organizations, research, academe, donor and financial institutions to implement mandated biosecurity measures; (3) expanding the understanding of aquaculture health economics (disease burden and investments); (4) enhancing emergency preparedness (early warning and forecasting tools, early detection, early response) at all levels; and (5) actively supporting pillars 1-4 with several cross cutting issues (e.g. capacity and competence development (e.g. surveillance, risk assessments, diagnostics), disease intelligence and risk communications, education and extension, targeted research and development and innovation).

• Provides technical advice and assistance to Members, inter-governmental organizations, research institutes, professional scientific organizations and industry on policies, strategies, and action plans related to relevant aspects of aquaculture biosecurity and management of health of aquatic organisms (including disease outbreak investigations).

• Coordinates FAO activities and prepares, organizes and/or participates in technical meetings, studies, technical courses, conferences capacity building programmes and other activities in support of aquaculture biosecurity and management health of aquatic species.

• Collaborates with NFI colleagues as well as other FAO units, as needed, and in particular around activities related to aquaculture biosecurity, food safety and aquatic health management.

• Provides technical support and backstopping to field projects related to aquaculture biosecurity and management of health of aquatic species including project planning, formulation, evaluation, the selecting and briefing of experts, supervising their field work and preparation of reports, in consultation with other divisions within FAO and, if appropriate, with other organizations.

• Liaises with research and development institutions and related international or national bodies in developed and developing countries and builds partnerships in the implementation of FAO's programme of work and technical guidelines under FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries related to the above subjects.

• Supervises the preparation and/or editing of knowledge products (e.g. extension brochures, disease strategy manuals, review papers, technical guidelines, etc.) and other relevant reference materials on the above subjects.

• Performs other duties as required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements •Advanced university degree in aquaculture, fish (finfish, crustacean, molluscs) pathology, aquatic species health management, aquatic veterinary science, or other fields related to biosecurity or aquatic health management. • Five years of relevant experience in aquaculture biosecurity, health management of aquatic species. antimicrobial resistance, One Health, surveillance, diagnostics or risk assessment. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official languages (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, is desirable. • Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in planning, coordinating and supervising work related to aquaculture biosecurity, health management of aquatic species and AMR. • Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical advice and training on various pillars of the above-mentioned aquaculture biosecurity programme, especially Progressive Management Pathway for improving aquaculture biosecurity (PMP/AB). • Depth of familiarity with the aquatic sector in developing countries, and experience with small-scale holders. • Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating and liaising with relevant international and regional organizations dealing with above-mentioned subjects. • Ability to write clearly and concisely, edit technical papers for publication and make effective oral presentations, preferably in more than one official language of the Organization. • Ability to organize and coordinate meetings and training activities. • Ability to mobilize resources.