Blue Ports (automation and socioeconomics) Specialist

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.

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 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 security and poverty reduction; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and 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.

About the Project

The Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) intends to assist the GoI to strengthen fishing ports technical capacities to address main environmental, social and economic challenges that affect the aquatic value chain. Two pilot fishing ports, specifically Vanakbara (Union Territory of DNH & Daman & Diu without legislation) and Jakhau in Gujarat, will benefit from this TCP that will provide them with specific strategic and operational tools to identify and formulate investments projects, whose implementation would address main challenges. Also, a capacity building program will be provided aimed to public and private stakeholders to better comprehend main challenges and oriented solutions that fishing ports sustainability address. 

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India, Assistant FAO Representatives (Programme and Administration) and guidance of the Project Managers and BPI FAO HQ, Blue Ports (automation and socioeconomics)  Specialist will undertake the following tasks

Technical Focus

-    Help establish the foundations for reinforcing and transforming two pilot fishing ports into more sustainable sites through the collaborative design of a Blue Transformation plan in India. In particular, they will support the creation of a roadmap and the identification of potential investments, ensuring that these are financially viable, climate-resilient, and inclusive—fostering economic growth and the creation of “blue jobs” aligned with FAO’s Roadmap to a Blue Fishing Port. A cross-cutting approach that integrates both inclusive and climate-resilient dimensions is essential. The specialist will specifically support activities in Vanakbara (Union Territory of DNH & Daman & Diu) and Jakhau in Gujarat.

-    Combine automation/engineering expertise with socio-economic analysis to help transform the two pilot fishing ports into sustainable “Blue Ports.” They will design strategies that integrate digitalization, efficient operational workflows, and infrastructure upgrades with inclusive economic growth and improved livelihoods. Emphasis will be on:
 
•    Automation and modernization (e.g., mechanized landing, digital traceability, energy efficiency).
•    Economic feasibility and social inclusivity, ensuring benefits for local communities, including women and youth.
•    Climate resilience and alignment with FAO’s Roadmap to a Blue Fishing Port.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Evaluate existing port facilities, focusing on potential improvements in automation (e.g., fish-handling systems, digital traceability platforms, cold-chain technology), ensuring alignment with national and international standards.
•    Provide Technical Guidance on Digitalization & Mechanization. 
•    Provide inputs regarding the selection and integration of equipment and software to improve operational efficiency (e.g., energy use, fish handling, e-commerce, fish data collection), while mitigating any adverse social impacts.
•    Support  senior colleagues in developimg comprehensive baseline economic analyses and feasibility studies for pilot project proposals, including cost–benefit analyses, financial models, and market assessments, ensuring robust economic justifications for investment decisions.
•    Provide technical guidance on financing strategies, business models, and investment frameworks for sustainable fishing port development, focusing on medium and small-scale fisheries and inclusive growth.
•    Evaluate social conditions in fishing ports—such as livelihoods (port based and fishing vessel based), decent work, and gender balance—to identify community needs and opportunities for social improvement.
•    Incorporate social inclusion strategies into Blue Ports Initiative (BPI) project proposals and concept notes, ensuring alignment with international labour standards and FAO’s social mandates.
•    Draft and review project documents to integrate economic and social risk assessments, cost recovery models, and measures that enhance economic resilience in port communities.
•    Participate in meetings along with the FAO team in meetings with  port authorities, government agencies, financial institutions, and private-sector partners to identify funding opportunities and foster public–private partnerships that support sustainable port development.
•    Design and carry out capacity-building sessions with the FAO team on economic tools, financial planning, and best practices to help local stakeholders adopt sustainable economic models (based on models/scales of fishing vessels/ gear combinations, key species landed, handled and marketed, profile of value chain players involved with specific focus on women)
•    Participate in events and meetings focused on economic sustainability in fishing ports, sharing insights and fostering collaboration with international stakeholders, along with FAO team members. 
•    Perform other related duties, as required, to ensure the successful economic integration of the BPI in target locations.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced degree in naval architecture, automation, economic development, or other fields relevant to fishing ports development (Bachelor of Engineering, Naval Architect/Mech/EEE/ECE or equivalent). 
•    At least 10 years of relevant experience in aquatic value chain management, socio-economic assessment, and related fields.
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English and the relevant local language.

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 related to social and economic development in fisheries. 
•    Demonstrated ability to address social dimensions in fishing value chain development. 
•    Experience in economic analysis, financial modelling, and feasibility studies. 
•    Proven engagement with financial institutions, development banks, and private-sector stakeholders. 
•    Track record of drafting project documents, concept notes, and investment proposals. 
•    Experience in designing and implementing social and economic indicators for monitoring progress. 
•    Familiarity with capacity-building methodologies for economic planning, investment readiness, and social inclusion.