Posted by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is recruiting a Fishery Officer for its headquarters in Rome, Italy. This Fishery Officer vacancy is a professional-level, fixed-term staff position at grade P-3 in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI). The appointment runs for two years, with a possibility of extension.
The role supports the Global Processes and Institutions Team and involves technical analysis, coordination of the division’s input into UN and global policy processes, and support for high-level events. FAO offers a compensation and benefits package that includes 30 working days of annual leave, pension fund entitlements, and international health insurance. This article covers the Fishery Officer requirements, responsibilities, benefits, and other details for anyone interested in FAO jobs in Rome.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Fishery Officer
- Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Location: Rome, Lazio, Italy (FAO headquarters)
- Organizational Unit: Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI)
- Job Type: Staff position, Professional category
- Grade Level: P-3
- Duration: Fixed-term, two years with possibility of extension
- Post Number: 0531871
- Job Category: Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Policy Support
- Education: Advanced university degree in marine, fisheries, or aquaculture science or management, ocean governance, or a related field
- Experience: Five years of relevant experience
- Languages: English (level C) and another FAO official language (level B)
- Posting Date: 3 September 2026
- Application Deadline: 24 September 2026, 4:59 PM (the listing notes that the displayed time follows the settings of the applicant’s device)
- Salary: Not stated in the listing
About the Employer
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Through its Strategic Framework, it supports the 2030 Agenda by working toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, with goals of better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.
This position sits in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, which deals with the economic, social, institutional, governance, and policy sides of fisheries and aquaculture. The division also covers fishery statistics, the management and conservation of living aquatic resources, responsible fisheries and aquaculture practices, and fisheries technology, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.
The Global Processes and Institutions Team (NFIPI) handles cross-divisional work such as programme coordination and divisional support. It organizes the Committee on Fisheries, supports the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network, and manages the division’s work on bringing aquatic food issues into UN and global policy discussions. These include the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
FAO states that it is committed to workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture. It encourages qualified women, qualified nationals of non-represented and under-represented Members, and persons with disabilities to apply. The organization also stresses high standards of integrity and professional conduct, and it has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct such as sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
Job Description
The Fishery Officer reports to the Senior Fishery Officer, who leads the Global Processes and Institutions Team. The post holder supports the NFIPI team and the NFI directorate and contributes to wider divisional support activities.
The technical focus combines analysis with coordination. The Fishery Officer provides technical input and coordinates the division’s contributions to relevant UN and global policy processes. The role also supports NFI’s participation in UN forums, global processes, youth-related work, the FAO World Food Forum, and other high-level events.
The main expected result is research, technical analysis, and project-related services that help deliver FAO’s programmes, projects, products, and services.
Key Responsibilities
General functions:
- Research and analyse technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology-related data and policy issues in fisheries and aquaculture
- Produce technical data, statistics, reports, and input for technical documents and web pages
- Provide technical, statistical, or analytical services for studies, projects, initiatives, and assessments, including technical backstopping for field projects
- Help develop improved technical, statistical, and analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases, and indicators
- Take part in multidisciplinary teams, lead working groups where needed, and collaborate with other divisions, offices, and centres
- Support capacity development activities for Members, including the preparation of learning materials and online tools
- Share knowledge and promote best practices at international meetings and conferences, and influence partners in stakeholder consultations
- Support resource mobilization in line with the FAO Strategic Framework
Specific functions:
- Contribute to the development of strategic technical and programmatic NFI documents
- Coordinate and contribute NFI input to relevant UN and global policy processes
- Coordinate the division’s participation in major UN conferences and international symposia
- Support the Secretariat of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network
- Carry out other related duties for the NFIPI team as required
Qualifications and Requirements
Minimum requirements:
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in marine, fisheries, or aquaculture science or management, ocean governance, or a related discipline
- Five years of relevant experience in marine, fisheries, or aquaculture science, management, or policy, or related fields
- Working knowledge of English (proficiency level C)
- Intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish
Competencies assessed:
- Results focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building effective relationships
- Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
Technical and functional skills considered:
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions
- Experience, and its relevance, in coordinating work related to fisheries and aquaculture
- Experience in analysing fisheries and aquaculture issues
- Experience in providing scientific and communication support
- Experience in supporting strategic processes and teams
FAO also expects its staff to uphold the organization’s values of commitment to FAO, respect for all, and integrity and transparency.
Conditions of appointment: the listing states that an appointment is subject to medical fitness, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Selected candidates go through reference and background checks, and FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment. Extension of a fixed-term appointment depends on certification of performance and availability of funds.
Salary and Benefits
The listing does not state a specific salary. It describes a competitive compensation and benefits package and refers readers to the UN common system for details on salaries, allowances, and benefits.
The following benefits are mentioned, subject to eligibility:
- Dependency allowances
- Rental subsidy
- Education grant for children
- Home leave travel
- 30 working days of annual leave per year
- Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
- International health insurance, with optional life insurance
- Disability protection
FAO also describes a workplace culture that supports inclusion and diversity, including family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and standards of conduct.
Who Should Apply?
This position suits a fisheries or aquaculture professional with a Master’s-level background and at least five years of experience in science, management, or policy. It is a strong match for someone who has coordinated work in this field, analysed fisheries and aquaculture issues, or supported strategic teams and processes.
It also fits candidates who are comfortable working in an international, policy-oriented setting, contributing to UN negotiations and global events, and communicating with a range of partners. Fluency in English together with intermediate knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is essential. Experience in field positions or in more than one work location will count in an applicant’s favour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is this Fishery Officer job located?
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, within the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.
What is the grade and contract length?
The role is a P-3 professional staff position. It is a fixed-term appointment of two years, with the possibility of extension based on performance certification and availability of funds.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 24 September 2026 at 4:59 PM. The listing notes that the time shown depends on the settings of your personal device.
What education and experience does FAO require?
Candidates need an advanced university degree in marine, fisheries, or aquaculture science or management, ocean governance, or a related discipline. They also need five years of relevant experience in marine, fisheries, or aquaculture science, management, or policy, or related fields.
Which languages are required?
English at working knowledge level (level C) is required, along with intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish.
Who does the Fishery Officer report to?
The post holder reports to the Senior Fishery Officer, who is the Team Leader of the Global Processes and Institutions Team in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.
What will the Fishery Officer work on?
The role centres on research, technical analysis, and coordination. Main tasks include contributing to NFI’s input on UN and global policy processes, supporting the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network, and helping with engagement in UN forums, youth-related work, and the FAO World Food Forum.
What benefits does FAO offer for this position?
The listing mentions 30 working days of annual leave, pension fund entitlements, international health insurance, and disability protection. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include dependency allowances, a rental subsidy, an education grant, and home leave travel. No specific salary figure is given.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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