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.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
· advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
· provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
· assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
· position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
· ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.
For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.
FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (MAFAR) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is implementing a Government Cooperative Programme funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project, Development of Sustainable Fishery Value Chains in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, aims to sustain and improve productivity and resilience of aquaculture/fisheries enterprises in the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao. Specifically, this project will focus on improving efficiency and sustainability of local aquatic food value chains and market linkages, increase capacity of small-scale producers to augment their income through entrepreneurship using alternative species and processing for value-addition, empower them and their organizations on improved and resilient aquaculture/fisheries technologies and appropriate postharvest processing, and enhance the knowledge and skills of MAFAR and LGU fishery personnel on monitoring and managing fish stock.
Reporting Lines
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist will report to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).
Technical Focus
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist will provide technical guidance and support in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project interventions on aquaculture and capture fisheries in BARMM. S/he will support capacity development of fisherfolk organizations, women’s groups, MAFAR and LGU staff on aquaculture production, post-harvest management, biosecurity, and value addition, while ensuring sustainability, climate resilience, and halal compliance of fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical inputs in the planning, design, and implementation of project interventions on aquaculture and capture fisheries, including hatchery development, grow-out systems, aqua-feed production, and livelihood support.
• Assist in identifying and selecting suitable sites for hatcheries, aquaculture farms, and cold chain facilities, ensuring compliance with FAO’s Environmental and Social Safeguards.
• Design and deliver capacity-building programs for fisherfolk cooperatives, associations, and women’s groups on aquaculture production, hatchery management, entrepreneurship, nutrition-sensitive aquaculture, and value addition.
• Support the training of MAFAR and LGU technical staff on fisheries resource assessment, stock monitoring, aquaculture management, biosecurity, and Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP).
• Provide technical backstopping during training workshops and exposure visits.
• Provide technical oversight in the establishment, rehabilitation, and operation of marine and freshwater hatcheries, nurseries, and feed mills, ensuring production of quality fry, fingerlings, and halal-certified feeds.
• Support the rollout of aquaculture livelihood interventions, particularly in MILF camps and vulnerable communities, including organizational development and financial literacy training.
• Ensure the adoption of climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices.
• Assist in resource assessments of marine, coastal, and freshwater ecosystems to guide planning of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
• Provide technical advice in the design and operation of cold chain facilities (ice plants, refrigerated trucks, cool boxes) to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Support training of trainers and local entrepreneurs in fish handling, food safety, value addition, and halal-certified product development.
• Consolidate and analyze technical data on aquaculture production, hatchery performance, and fisheries resource assessments.
• Support the preparation of technical manuals, training modules, and IEC materials on aquaculture production, biosecurity, food safety, and halal compliance.
• Provide advisory support for laboratory strengthening in fish health, aquatic biosecurity, and certification processes.
• Work closely with MAFAR, LGUs, fisherfolk groups, women’s associations, private sector partners, and academic/research institutions to ensure ownership and sustainability of project interventions.
• Facilitate linkages with markets, certification bodies, and service providers for aquaculture and fishery products.
• Contribute to regular coordination meetings, progress reviews, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Prepare technical reports, training documentation, and field activity reports as inputs to project progress reports.
• Document lessons learned, good practices, and success stories for dissemination and replication.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in fisheries, aquaculture, or related field with complementary knowledge in agricultural development planning
• At least 5 years practical experience in the implementation of projects on fisheries and/or aquaculture projects at the field level;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• A national of the Philippines or a legal resident with a valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies
· Results Focus
· Teamwork
· Communication
· Building Effective Relationships
· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
· Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
· General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)