National Fisheries Livelihood Recovery and Value Chain Specialist
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.
The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Iran. FAO-Iran employees shall follow the UN-Iran workweek (from Sunday to Thursday) and holiday schedule.
Project TCP/IRA/4101, Emergency Assistance for the Early Rehabilitation of Fisheries and Aquaculture Livelihoods in Hormozgan Province, supports conflict-affected fishing communities. This consultancy will assess livelihood and value-chain needs, define suitable assistance and related procurement requirements, and support beneficiaries in using the assistance effectively under Activities 1.1, 1.3, 2.2 and 2.3. Particular attention will be given to women fishers on Hengam Island and vulnerable coastal and island households.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and day-to-day coordination with the FAO Iran programme coordinator and the project team, the incumbent will work with the Iran Fisheries Organization, its Hormozgan branch, local councils, cooperatives and community representatives. The incumbent will coordinate with the national marine engineering, aquaculture, and emergency preparedness/capacity-development/recovery-planning specialists.
Technical Focus
Translate verified livelihood and value-chain needs into feasible assistance packages and practical shared-service arrangements that help affected fishers and workers resume income-generating activities. Prepare role-specific technical procurement inputs, assess locally viable fisheries-related livelihood options, and provide technical and basic business support to intended users, without duplicating the other consultants’ assignments.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support the review of relevant project documents and assessments, the preparation of the work plan and assessment methodology, and rapid field assessments at selected Hormozgan locations to identify livelihood needs, constraints and priority support requirements.
• Support beneficiary verification and prioritization for Activities 1.1 and 1.3, and contribute to the identification of appropriate livelihood support packages based on vulnerability, fisheries dependence, assessed needs, local demand and the capacity of beneficiaries to use the proposed assistance, while promoting equitable access for women and vulnerable groups.
• Support the assessment of feasible fisheries-related livelihood options for households unable to resume fishing immediately, including fish processing, net repair, equipment maintenance and other viable income-generating activities, and contribute to the preparation of indicative costed support packages.
• Support the preparation of technical specifications and quantity requirements for fishing gear, fish-handling items, livelihood tools and small processing equipment, ensuring suitability, responsible fisheries practices and coordination with relevant marine, engineering and safety specialists.
• Support the assessment of requirements for shared fisheries services under Activity 2.2, including fish handling, ice, storage and small-scale processing, and contribute to recommendations on capacity, management, maintenance and equitable-access arrangements in coordination with relevant technical specialists.
• Support implementation of Activity 2.3 by identifying practical linkages with input suppliers, repair and service providers, buyers and shared facilities, and contribute livelihood and value-chain inputs to business continuity and recovery arrangements.
• Support the delivery of practical training, coaching and technical advice related to livelihood packages, shared services, procurement review and delivery checks, in coordination with designated technical experts where specialized expertise is required.
• Support monitoring of the use and livelihood results of assistance, documentation of constraints and corrective actions, and provision of relevant livelihood and market information for project monitoring and recovery planning, while applying project safeguards and responsible data-management practices.
• Support other related duties as required by the project team.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in fisheries, fisheries economics, agribusiness, rural development, value chain management, natural resource management or a closely related field relevant to fisheries livelihoods and value chains.
• At least five years of relevant experience in small-scale agribusiness or livelihoods, value-chain development, fisheries-related enterprise support or livelihood recovery, including field needs assessment and work with coastal communities.
• Working knowledge of English and fluency in Persian.
• National of the Islamic Republic of Iran or resident of the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Knowledge of Iranian small-scale fisheries, fishing gear and local supply chains, post-harvest services and coastal markets, including women’s roles and the operating constraints of southern coastal and island communities.
• Ability to analyse household and enterprise needs, estimate costs and margins, prepare practical assistance packages and neutral specifications, and assess equipment suitability within the consultant’s technical competence.
• Strong consultation and coaching skills, with experience engaging women, vulnerable households, cooperatives, private operators and government counterparts; ability to coordinate clearly with other specialists.
• Competence in data analysis, monitoring and technical reporting using Word, Excel and presentation tools; familiarity with environmental and social safeguards and willingness to undertake authorized field missions.
Selection Criteria
• Demonstrated experience designing needs-based assistance packages, preparing technical procurement inputs within the candidate’s expertise, assessing small-enterprise viability and delivering practical training or coaching. Emergency recovery experience is strongly desirable