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:
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v)    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 focuses on emergency preparedness, continuity planning, capacity development and recovery planning under Activities 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3. Rapid needs assessment will guide these activities and identify requirements to be referred to the project’s other national specialists.

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 Ministry of Agriculture Jahad, Iran Fisheries Organization headquarters and Hormozgan branch, local councils, cooperatives and community representatives. The incumbent will coordinate closely with the project’s livelihoods/value-chain, marine engineering and aquaculture specialists.

Technical Focus

Assess preparedness, service-continuity and institutional capacity needs at selected pilots; Translate findings into practical and costed contingency and continuity measures, and prepare the technical specifications for required procurement actions directly associated with those measures; and strengthen local capacity to apply the plans. Support the preparation of recovery planning inputs by organizing assessments and cost estimates provided by the relevant technical specialists.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Review the approved project document, available assessments and previous consultations. Support the preparation of a focused assessment methodology, proposed pilot coverage and mission schedule, and facilitate coordination of respective tasks with FAO and the other three national consultants. Concentrate on Activities 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 and avoid duplicating their technical assessments.
•    Support the conduct of rapid needs-assessment missions to selected Hormozgan pilots, including Hengam and other FAO-agreed accessible sites.
•    Assess essential services, disruption risks, current continuity arrangements, institutional roles, communication gaps and training needs using information and inputs provided by fisheries officials, cooperatives, service providers and community members, including women fishers. Document evidence, verification limitations and priority gaps; refer detailed asset, production and household livelihood assessments to the responsible specialists.
•    Support preparation of a prioritized action matrix for preparedness and continuity support at each assessed pilot or agreed cluster. Identify the gap, proposed measure, intended users, responsible institution, indicative cost, implementation sequence and evidence of completion.
•    Contribute to identification and drafting technical requirements for goods and services directly justified by the preparedness, continuity and capacity-development plans, within the approved project procurement categories and budget.
•    Where warranted, specify functional requirements for communication or information-sharing arrangements, related equipment, and training or simulation materials and services.
•    Prepare technical input on indicative quantities and their basis, minimum performance requirements, compatibility, operating conditions, maintenance needs, user instructions and proposed acceptance checks use neutral specifications for FAO/LTO review. Refer marine-radio or navigation hardware specifications to the marine specialist and do not introduce new equipment packages without FAO approval.
•    Contribute to preparation and validation of practical contingency and business/livelihood-continuity plans under Activities 2.3 and 3.1. Address disruptions to access, utilities, essential supplies and services, transport and markets.
•    Prepare technical input on minimum functions, possible activation triggers, alternative service arrangements, indicative resource needs, relevant coordination arrangements and conditions for resumption. Use operational inputs from the other specialists and emphasize measures that communities and institutions can realistically apply.
•    Support design and contribute technical inputs and materials for capacity-development activities under Activity 3.2 for fisheries officers, cooperative representatives and community service providers, including women’s representatives where relevant.
•    Prepare practical Farsi materials on preparedness assessment, contingency planning, institutional coordination and continuity of essential functions.
•    Test the plans through short scenario-based exercises, assess learning and coach focal points.
•    Support consolidation of the prioritized and costed recovery and resource-mobilization plan under Activity 3.3 using damage assessments, technical options and cost estimates supplied or validated by the other specialists and counterparts.
•    Prepare technical input on possible prioritization criteria, the distinction between immediate recovery needs and larger reconstruction requirements, relevant institutional roles, and potential financing options and facilitate review by FAO and government.
•    Follow up through authorized missions and remote consultations to check application of the agreed preparedness and continuity measures, record lessons and update plans.
•    Maintain records and report on this consultancy’s deliverables, training and measures applied, observing the project’s environmental and social requirements, confidentiality and inclusive engagement.
•    Refer unresolved technical issues and procurement decisions to FAO and the responsible specialist.
•    Perform other related duties as required by the project team.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in fisheries, aquaculture, natural resource management, environment, rural development, disaster risk management or a closely related field relevant to fisheries livelihoods.
•    At least five years of relevant experience in fishery or emergency preparedness, contingency/business-continuity planning, institutional capacity development or recovery planning, including field needs assessment and participatory work with fisheries or other natural-resource-dependent 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 fisheries institutions, cooperative and community service arrangements, and the operating constraints of southern coastal and island communities, including women’s participation.
•    Ability to conduct mixed-method rapid assessments, analyse and triangulate field data, prioritize needs and costs, and produce concise operational plans and clear reports using Word, Excel and presentation tools.
•    Strong facilitation and training skills, with demonstrated ability to engage government counterparts, private providers and vulnerable communities and to translate technical findings into feasible actions.
•    Familiarity with environmental and social safeguards, occupational and community safety, conflict-sensitive engagement, accountability and responsible handling of personal information. Availability for authorized field missions and ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
•    Excellent knowledge of and working experience with government institutions.

National Fisheries Emergency Preparedness, Capacity Development and Recovery Planning Support Specialist