Posted by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is recruiting a Fishery Officer specializing in Aquatic Food Value Chains at its headquarters in Rome, Italy. This is a professional staff position at the P-3 grade level, offered on a two-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension.
The successful candidate will work within FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, supporting the development of efficient and sustainable aquatic food value chains, food loss and waste reduction, processing and value-added products, and sustainable aquatic food production and consumption.
The position is particularly suited to professionals with advanced academic qualifications and at least five years of relevant experience in food value chain development, especially candidates with experience in aquatic food value chains and aquatic resource utilization.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Fishery Officer (Aquatic Food Value Chains)
- Employer: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Location: Rome, Lazio, Italy
- Primary Location: Italy-Rome
- Job Type: Staff position
- Requisition Type: Professional
- Grade: P-3
- Contract: Fixed-term
- Contract Duration: Two years, with possibility of extension
- Post Number: 0115967
- Organizational Unit: NFI
- Division: Fisheries and Aquaculture Division
- Team: Value Chain Development Team (NFIMV)
- Job Posting Date: 28 August 2026
- Application Deadline: 18 September 2026 at 4:59 PM
- Minimum Education: Advanced university degree
- Minimum Experience: Five years of relevant experience
- English Requirement: Proficiency at Level C
- Additional Language: Intermediate Level B in another FAO official language
About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations supports the transformation of agrifood systems to make them more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
FAO works toward better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life as part of its contribution to the 2030 Agenda.
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance, and policy aspects of FAO’s work relating to fisheries and aquaculture. Its activities also cover areas such as fishery statistics, post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade, food security, conservation of aquatic resources, biodiversity, responsible fisheries and aquaculture, and fisheries technology.
The Fishery Officer will be part of the Value Chain Development Team at FAO headquarters in Rome and will report to the Senior Fisheries Officer responsible for the team.
Fishery Officer Job Description
The Fishery Officer will provide technical, analytical, research, and project-related support for the development of aquatic food value chains.
The role focuses on improving the efficiency and sustainability of aquatic food value chains while supporting aquatic food processing, value-added products, food loss and waste reduction, resource utilization, and capacity development.
The position also involves providing technical guidance to FAO Member Nations, collaborating with international and industry organizations, contributing to policy and technical guidance, and supporting projects connected with aquatic food value chain development.
Technical Focus of the Role
The main technical areas covered by the position include:
- Aquatic food value chain development
- Reduction of aquatic food loss and waste
- Production of value-added aquatic food products
- Aquatic food processing technologies
- Sustainable aquatic food production and consumption
- Project management
- Advisory services to FAO Member Nations
- Aquatic resource utilization
- Economic, social, and environmental analysis
Key Responsibilities
The Fishery Officer will be responsible for a broad range of technical and project-related activities, including:
- Research and analyze technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology-related information concerning fisheries and aquaculture.
- Produce technical data, statistics, reports, and other information for FAO documents, publications, projects, and web content.
- Provide technical and analytical support for studies, projects, assessments, and related initiatives.
- Provide technical support to field projects.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of technical and analytical tools, methodologies, databases, systems, and indicators.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams and working groups.
- Collaborate with other FAO divisions, offices, centers, and committees.
- Support capacity development activities for FAO Member Nations, including organizational development and individual learning activities.
- Prepare information, learning materials, and online tools for capacity-building activities.
- Promote knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences.
- Support resource mobilization activities in line with the FAO Strategic Framework.
- Contribute to policies and best practices for implementing Blue Transformation, particularly in aquatic food value chain development.
- Plan, formulate, and manage projects and programmes aimed at improving aquatic food value chain efficiency and sustainability.
- Provide advice on aquatic food processing, value-added products, and food loss and waste reduction.
- Support the development and implementation of methodologies for aquatic resource utilization.
- Contribute to capacity-building initiatives related to aquatic food resource utilization.
- Identify studies and interventions that can support economic growth, poverty reduction, improved resource utilization, and gender equality within a pro-poor framework.
- Support the Committee on Fisheries and its relevant sub-committees on aquatic food value chain issues.
- Collaborate with FAO units, international organizations, intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, and NGOs.
- Perform other related duties assigned to the position.
Qualifications and Requirements
Candidates for the Fishery Officer position must meet the minimum academic, professional, and language requirements outlined by FAO.
Education
Applicants must have an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in one of the following areas or another field relevant to food value chains:
- Agricultural economics
- Fishery economics
- Food science
- Food technology
- Another relevant field related to food value chains
Professional Experience
Candidates must have at least five years of relevant professional experience in food value chain development and related areas.
Experience that is particularly relevant to the position includes:
- Work involving aquatic food value chains and aquatic resource utilization.
- Experience working in developing countries and countries in transition.
- Experience organizing international meetings, seminars, training programs, or courses.
- Experience providing policy and technical guidance related to aquatic food value chain development.
- Work experience across more than one location or area, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
Language Requirements
Candidates must have:
- Proficiency in English at Level C.
- Intermediate proficiency at Level B in at least one other FAO official language.
The other FAO official languages listed in the vacancy are Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Core Competencies
FAO will assess candidates against several professional competencies, including:
- Results focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building effective relationships
- Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
Salary and Benefits
The supplied job listing does not state a specific salary figure for the Fishery Officer position.
It does state that the role is a P-3 professional staff position on a two-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension.
No specific accommodation, relocation assistance, or visa sponsorship package is stated in the supplied listing.
Who Should Apply?
This Fishery Officer opportunity is suited to professionals with an advanced degree in agricultural or fishery economics, food science or technology, or another field connected to food value chains.
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant professional experience and strong knowledge of aquatic food value chain development. Experience involving aquatic resource utilization, developing countries or countries in transition, international meetings and training, and policy or technical guidance can be particularly relevant to the role.
The position may be especially suitable for professionals who have worked across multiple locations or field environments and have experience collaborating with international organizations and stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Fishery Officer job located?
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Lazio, Italy.
What is the contract duration?
The position is offered on a two-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension.
What grade is the Fishery Officer position?
The position is classified at the P-3 professional grade.
What degree is required for the Fishery Officer role?
Candidates need an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in agricultural or fishery economics, food science or technology, or another field relevant to food value chains.
How much professional experience is required?
FAO requires at least five years of relevant experience in food value chain development and related fields.
What languages are required?
Candidates need proficiency in English at Level C and intermediate proficiency at Level B in another FAO official language. The listed additional languages are Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Is aquatic food value chain experience required?
Experience in food value chain development is part of the minimum requirements. Experience specifically involving aquatic food value chains and aquatic resource utilization is described as highly desirable.
When does the application close?
The listed closure date is 18 September 2026 at 4:59 PM.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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