NAVAC Programme Specialist

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT :

Job Posting: 13/Nov/2026

Closure Date: 27/Nov/2026, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: NFI - Fisheries and Aquaculture Division

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: Consultant

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location: Various Locations

Duration: 11 months

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• 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　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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 project (NAVAC), funded by the European Union (EU) aims to promote sustainable healthy diets for the most vulnerable in fragile contexts. The project will specifically focus 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 aquatic food value chains.

Reporting Lines

The NAVAC Programme Specialist reports to the relevant NFI officers and collaborate with relevant NFI staff.

Technical Focus

Development, implementation, training, strategic contribution, monitoring and coordination of fisheries and aquaculture projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate cooperation, training and implementation of development projects, including NAVAC, in one or more countries, in liaison with national teams, specialists and other team members.
• Support value chain development and project implementation, facilitating linkages among stakeholders, including the establishment of Multi-stakeholder Partnerships, the organisation of workshops and the oversight of deliverables by service providers. Prepare associated training materials and workshop reports.
• Collaborate closely with national and international consultants responsible for value chain development and relevant technical specialists to promote a sustainable, systems-based value chain approach and ensure that scientific knowledge and technical expertise inform inland and marine fisheries management practices.
• Contribute to programme monitoring and evaluation at project level in collaboration with M&E specialists, documenting progress and results achieved through training and scientific mentoring activities in quarterly activity reports.
• Support global learning across the project by exchanging information with related value chains, sharing lessons learned and best practices, and contributing to the improvement of value chain analysis and development methodologies and their application in future fisheries and aquaculture projects.
• Develop strategic reflections on the results, challenges and opportunities emerging from the implementation of activities, identifying priorities for consolidating achievements, sustaining capacity-development outcomes and informing future project phases, including public/private investment opportunities.
• Conduct research and analysis of fisheries and aquaculture value chains, under the NAVAC Knowledge Facility among other, with specific emphasis on public/private investment appraisal.
• Contribute to the knowledge base on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture value chain development by documenting and disseminating relevant technical knowledge, training materials and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with project managers and country focal points to design and maintain databases for the effective storage and management of project-related data, and to develop budgets and expenditure-monitoring systems. Undertake planned field missions and prepare the corresponding Back-to-Office Reports (BTORs).
• Perform other related duties home-based or in FAO Headquarters, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in economic development, agribusiness, evaluation, fisheries and aquaculture, food science/technology, food industries, international development studies or a related field. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
• At least 1 year for category C, 5 years for category B or 10 years for category A of relevant experience in funding applications and project development, international management, capacity building, value chain development, programme development, database development and management, economic, social and/or fisheries/aquaculture development.
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish

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 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 South America regions 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

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• 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

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