Aquaculture Specialists

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advances the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. This effort promotes better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced livelihoods, ensuring no one is left behind.

The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies and projects that drive the transformation of food, agriculture, and rural development. It also fosters and maintains relationships with subregional institutions.

The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). FAO is providing technical support to the Governments of Fiji, Cook Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati through the three projects mentioned below.

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific (SRC), and direct supervision of SAP Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist, and in close collaboration with other relevant FAO colleagues, the consultant(s) will provide technical and managerial support to the SAP projects as follows:

The Aquaculture Specialist(s) will provide specialist technical support to the responsible national agencies for three projects in four countries with not to exceed dates (NTEs) of July 2027.

•     to the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry (MOFF) for a TCP project aimed at supporting implementation of the Fiji Aquaculture Development Plan (TCP/FIJ/4002). The project, focuses on strengthening the technical skills and capacity of Ministry of Fisheries  officers and farmers, supporting the establishment of model farm practices, and advancing socially equitable implementation.

•     to the Cook Islands: Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MOFR) for a TCP project Improving climate change resilience through sustainable aquaculture (TCP/CKI/4001) in support of the development of a national strategic plan for climate-resilient aquaculture, aimed at positioning Cook Islands to lead in the implementation of nature-positive, inclusive, and climate-resilient aquaculture systems in the Pacific Islands region.

•     to the Kiribati: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development  (MFMRD) and the Tuvalu: Ministry of Natural Resources Development (Fisheries) -Tuvalu  for a TCP project: Enhancing the contribution of aquaculture to economic development and food security: bridging key knowledge and technology with local comparative advantages (TCP/SAP/4006) building on previous TCP projects on in-depth aquaculture risk assessment and business investment planning (FAO TCP/KIR/3602/C2), in particular following up on the recommendations of the project regarding finance mechanisms and approaches to enable small and medium sized loans, and the undertaking of an economic evaluation of potential for milkfish farming in Kiribati. Wherever relevant, the same principles will be applied in Tuvalu.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator, direct supervision of the SAP Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer and in close coordination with Assistant FAO representatives the specialist(s) will work in close consultation with the responsible Ministries in each of the project countries.

Technical Focus

Facilitate and support all aspects of project implementation, ensure that aquaculture activities are well-aligned with climate-smart and ecosystem-based principles, support project planning, reporting, and coordination with stakeholders, monitor the implementation of components and deliverables, ensuring quality and adherence to the agreed timeline and, contribute to the capacity-building and visibility of the project through technical input, documentation, and dissemination.

Tasks and responsibilities

For all three projects

Project Management 
•     Facilitate and support all aspects of the project implementation
•     Ensure the preparation, monitoring and updating of workplans. 
•     Ensure that relevant data is collected for regular monitoring of project results.
•     Support the development of TORs/ LOAs for project consultants and service providers.
•     Support processes for recruitment of consultants and service providers
•     Liaise, and maintain positive working relations with stakeholders.
•     Liaise with, provide reports to and receive guidance from the Project Task Force (PTF) (comprises the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for the Pacific (Budget Holder (BH) and Chair of the PTF), the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and SAP administrative and operations staff). 
•     Identify, mitigate and manage potential risks, report and escalate issues when necessary. 
•     Monitor the progress and quality of deliverables from contracted experts.

Procurement Coordination for Aquaculture Equipment and Inputs
•     Collect detailed requirements from MOFF, MMR, MFMRD and MFT
•     Develop technical specifications within a procurement timeline aligning with project milestones and delivery schedules
•     Support PTF in procurement process for identified equipment, inputs and services.

Reporting and Documentation 
•     Assist and coordinate in the preparation of technical progress and final reports. 
•     Provide inputs to visibility and knowledge products, including lessons learned, case studies, and communication materials. 
•     Contribute to the development and delivery of training materials and workshops for government and community stakeholders. 
•     Support the mainstreaming of gender and youth in project activities and design.

Technical Responsibilities
(TCP/FIJ/4002)
•     In Fiji provide specialist technical advice and assistance on activities identified for aquaculture commodities selected from the Aquaculture Development Plan at an inception meeting (including but not limited to black lip oyster, prawns, shrimps and giant clams).
•     Identify and facilitate targeted technical assistance and training needs at hatcheries and farms, with the Ministry of Fisheries. private sector partners, NGOs and development partners. 
•     Implement activities from the project workplan

(TCP/CKI/4001)
•     In Cook Islands, support recruitment of a value chain expert with climate change expertise
•     Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of aquaculture pilot demonstration farm. 
•     Ensure activities align with FAO's Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture and climate adaptation strategies.

(TCP/SAP/4006)
•     Provide technical inputs and support the design and implementation of baseline study and national assessment for milkfish and bivalves in Kiribati and Tuvalu
•     Support the procurement of appropriate training providers in Kiribati and Tuvalu
•     Support the organisation of a national/foreign investors roundtables to promote investments in milkfish farming in Tuvalu and bivalve farming in Kiribati
With Government counterparts identify opportunities for hosting and/ or facilitate attendance for national officers to attend regional workshops and study tours

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree or first-level degree with 2 additional years of experience in Aquaculture or related field. 
•     At least an additional 3 years’ experience in managing programmes and projects in the Pacific Islands context, preferably in multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder initiatives in Aquaculture
•     Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Efficiency, competence and integrity as well as negotiating skills, tact and diplomacy are essential.
•     Able to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural project partners at regional and international level.
•     Extent of knowledge of aquaculture activities as well as FAO standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures
•     Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience liaising between diverse project stakeholders.
•     Extent of knowledge of FAO’s corporate systems and database, would be considered an asset.
•     Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.

Selection Criteria

•     Demonstrated experience in implementing aquaculture development related activities in a Pacific small island developing states context.
•     Ability to provide guidance in gender and socially inclusive approaches to aquaculture development and project activities.
•     Demonstrated technical experience and knowledge in the development of aquaculture commodities that are currently being pursued in the project countries
•     Adequate knowledge of aquaculture in Pacific Island countries, the opportunities and constraints and the legal and institutional foundations
•     Demonstrated technical experience and knowledge in the development of aquaculture in at least one of the project countries
•     Ability to work as a member of the project team.
•     Established relationships with the responsible agencies in one or more of the project countries