Ocean Governance and Fisheries Technical Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) 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 FAO Members and partners to promote 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 sustainable 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, the Division coordinates with the Development Law Service of the FAO Legal Office (LEGN) on the legal components of projects, extending support to FAO Members through normative and guidance instruments, and in collaboration with regional fishery bodies (RFBs) established within the framework of the FAO Constitution.

Consultants and Subscribers to Personal Services Agreements (PSAs) represent an important source of expertise for FAO, making their specialist contributions across the globe towards the achievement of the Organization’s strategic objectives. For FAO to be able to attract and employ the best possible experts in the wide range of technical areas of its mandate, a competitive selection process has been introduced. This process is intended to create a pool of candidates which can be called upon when their expertise is required, ensuring a transparent and rigorous selection process.

FAO follows and contributes to various global processes that relate to its mandate, including the meetings and processes of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (the “BBNJ Agreement”). Adopted by consensus on 19 June 2023, the BBNJ Agreement will enter into force on 17 January 2026. The importance of the early entry into force and effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement has been emphasized by the Resolution 78 / 272 of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). In this context, specifically, FAO supports its Members in becoming a Party to the BBNJ Agreement and preparing those that are Parties to implement the BBNJ Agreement once it enters into force. FAO has also been clarifying the linkages between the BBNJ Agreement, ocean governance and fisheries, as well as facilitating and promoting coordination among relevant instruments, frameworks and bodies.

This call for expression of interest is for the purpose of identifying suitably qualified technical specialists to support the Projects’ activities related to the BBNJ Agreement, ocean governance and fisheries in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), including through the implementation of projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The assignments may be at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome (Italy), home based, or on field missions, as required.

Reporting Lines

The technical specialist will report to the Senior Fishery Officer or the Project Officer (BBNJ), while day‑to‑day supervision may be provided by a designated Fisheries Officer in NFI. Where activities involve a legal component, the selection of the technical specialist to undertake such activities, as well as the legal work undertaken by the selected technical specialist will be supervised, reviewed and cleared by designated LEGN Legal Officers. When activities are carried out in participating member countries, the technical specialist will work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, as well as the relevant FAO regional and / or sub‑regional office.

Technical Focus Areas

Technical expertise, research and advisory services in relation to ocean governance, fisheries governance, and the BBNJ Agreement. FAO is particularly interested in identifying qualified candidates to support the implementation of Projects related to the BBNJ Agreement, ocean governance and fisheries in ABNJ, including through the implementation of GEF‑funded projects.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of the Ocean Governance and Fisheries Technical Specialist will be defined in the Terms of Reference for the specific assignment. The technical specialist will carry out her / his tasks within FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022‑2031 for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and pursuant to the FAO Policy on Gender Equality.

The nature of the tasks and responsibilities that will be assigned to the technical specialist are :

• Review national policies, laws and regulations, identifying strengths, gaps and recommendations for improving alignment with relevant global policy and legal frameworks, in particular contributing to the enabling framework for the BBNJ Agreement, taking into account relevant fisheries instruments, frameworks and bodies;
• Assess policy and regulatory gaps and inconsistencies, at national and regional levels, challenges for the forthcoming implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, including for the fisheries sector, and identifying recommendations to address the challenges;
• Assess governance, institutional, technical and administrative capacity gaps in Members Parties to the BBNJ Agreement, which may hinder the forthcoming implementation of obligations under the BBNJ Agreement;
• Assess governance, institutional, technical, legal and administrative capacity in Members wishing to become Parties to the BBNJ Agreement, identifying pros and cons, and supporting ratification process as appropriate;
• Conduct comparative analyses of national and regional good practices in ocean governance and fisheries in ABNJ;
• Assist in the preparation of regulatory or policy instruments or guidance, and / or capacity building resources and tools relating to ocean governance and fisheries in ABNJ;
• Liaise with stakeholders, including project partners, national fisheries authorities, and RFBs involved in the discussions around, and forthcoming implementation of, the BBNJ Agreement;
• Advise on global and regional resources and carry out capacity building activities in support of the BBNJ Agreement, especially where it relates to the fisheries sector;
• Map relevant repositories, databases and national research and utilisation capacities.

Candidacy Assessment

Minimum Requirements

FAO Core Competencies

Technical / Functional Skills

Applicants must have relevant work experience and demonstrated interest in the technical areas listed above, as well as strong analytical, research, report writing, project management, capacity development and knowledge‑sharing activities; oral and written communication skills in English; the ability to organise and conduct technical meetings, conferences and workshops when applicable; and the ability to facilitate participatory processes or stakeholder involvement.

Selection Criteria

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