Job reference: 2600721
Title: National Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist
Posting date: 7 April 2026
Application deadline: 22 April 2026
Organizational Unit: FRGHA – FAO Representation in Ghana
Job type: Non-staff opportunity
Type of requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)
Primary location: Accra, Ghana
Duration: 6 months
FAO has opened applications for the recruitment of a National Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist in Ghana. This opportunity is part of a broader effort to strengthen climate-resilient rural livelihoods, with a particular focus on small-scale aquaculture, fisheries value chain development, and technical support to vulnerable communities. The post is based in Accra, with a strong field implementation component in the project intervention areas. FAO also reiterates its commitment to diversity, professional integrity, confidentiality, and zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
1. Organizational Setting
The position is linked to the project “Strengthening Resilience of Vulnerable Communities in Northern Ghana Through Climate-Resilient Livelihoods and Integrated Environmental Practice” (GCP/GHA/043/NOR), jointly implemented by the Government of Ghana and FAO, with financial support from the Kingdom of Norway, over the period 2025–2027. The project targets at least 3,000 vulnerable rural households, particularly smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, and pastoralists in the Upper East and Savannah regions of Ghana.
The project is built around sustainable, climate-resilient, and gender-responsive interventions. These include integrated crop-livestock-aquaculture systems, improved access to water for productive use, women’s economic empowerment, and stronger early warning and disaster preparedness systems. It is also grounded in an ecosystem-based and community-led approach, designed to ensure that interventions are locally relevant, culturally appropriate, inclusive, and responsive to community realities. This initiative contributes to FAO’s 2022–2031 Strategic Framework, structured around the “Four Betters”: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life. It also aligns with Ghana’s Country Programming Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, especially under the pillar of inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.
2. Reporting Lines
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Ghana, under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and in close collaboration with the project’s technical experts. This places the role at the intersection of strategic guidance, operational coordination, and field-level technical implementation.
3. Technical Focus
The role is intended to provide technical leadership on the development of small-scale, climate-resilient aquaculture systems, while also strengthening community capacities and fisheries value chains. The broader objective is to support more sustainable livelihoods in northern Ghana by improving production, producer organization, market access, and the socio-economic resilience of beneficiary communities.
4. Tasks and Responsibilities
4.1 Technical leadership for aquaculture development
The specialist will lead the implementation of the fisheries strategy and its action plan, ensuring alignment with project objectives and FAO technical standards. The role includes providing technical guidance on small-scale aquaculture systems, including pond, tank, and cage culture, and supporting the identification and selection of beneficiary households in the targeted communities.
The position also involves coordinating the rehabilitation of aquaculture facilities and organizing the distribution of key production inputs such as fingerlings, feed, and basic equipment. The specialist will oversee improved fish production practices, including stocking, feeding, water quality management, and disease prevention. In addition, the role requires support for the establishment of Farmer Field Schools and demonstration sites that promote practical learning and the uptake of appropriate technologies.
4.2 Community engagement and institutional strengthening
The post holder will facilitate engagement with communities, including fishers, women’s groups, and local authorities. The specialist will support the establishment and strengthening of aquaculture producer groups and community-based organizations. Particular attention is expected to be given to the active participation of women in production, processing, and marketing activities.
The role also includes supporting leadership and management capacity development among women involved in fisheries and aquaculture community groups. In addition, the specialist will help strengthen collaboration between fisheries stakeholders and other agricultural sectors as part of an integrated production systems approach.
4.3 Climate-resilient aquaculture and capacity building
A major part of the assignment relates to training and capacity development. The specialist will oversee the design and delivery of Training of Trainers programmes in climate-smart aquaculture for extension officers and model farmers. The role also includes supporting the development of practical training materials and technical guidelines for aquaculture production, as well as facilitating cascade training to fish farmers through extension services and community-level learning platforms.
4.4 Fisheries value chain development and market integration
Working closely with the project’s Agribusiness Specialist, the consultant will support assessments of fisheries value chains and market opportunities in the project areas. The position includes facilitating training on enterprise management, business planning, and financial literacy. It also covers support to fish processing and value addition activities, particularly through improved smoking, drying, and packaging practices.
The specialist will also actively promote market linkages between fish producers, processors, and buyers. In addition, the role includes facilitating connections with Village Savings and Loans Associations in order to improve access to finance for aquaculture-related activities.
4.5 Cooperation with the Fisheries Commission
The specialist will support coordination of activities conducted in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission of Ghana. This includes facilitating communication and collaboration between FAO and the Commission at national, regional, and district levels. The role also requires reviewing and validating technical reports and other deliverables submitted by the Commission, while helping ensure effective delivery of extension services and monitoring activities.
4.6 Monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management
The post requires regular field missions to monitor the implementation of aquaculture activities in the target communities. The specialist will prepare technical reports, progress updates, and activity reports for FAO. The role also includes documenting lessons learned, good practices, and success stories emerging from fisheries interventions, and contributing to annual work plans and project progress reports. FAO further notes that the specialist may support other tasks required for the day-to-day implementation of the project.
5. Candidates Will Be Assessed Against the Following
5.1 Minimum requirements
Applicants must hold an advanced university degree in fisheries biology, coastal development, social development in the fisheries sector, or an equivalent field. They must also have at least eight years of relevant experience in small-scale fisheries and/or aquaculture, possess a working knowledge of English, and be nationals of Ghana.
5.2 FAO core competencies
FAO highlights five core competencies for this position: Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement.
5.3 Technical and functional skills
Experience working in more than one location or area within Ghana is considered an asset. FAO also values the extent and relevance of experience in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, as well as familiarity with fisheries-related policies, legal frameworks, and institutions relevant to Ghana’s fisheries subsector.
5.4 Selection criteria
Previous experience working with FAO or another UN agency is considered an advantage. The same applies to prior collaboration with the Government of Ghana and other relevant national institutions involved in fisheries and aquaculture.
6. Additional Information
FAO states clearly that it does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. The organization also reminds candidates that only qualifications obtained from institutions recognized in the WHED database will be considered, and that appointment remains subject to standard verifications, including medical fitness, administrative authorizations, and security clearances.
7. How to Apply
Candidates must submit their application through the official FAO recruitment portal, after completing an online profile with their employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills. A letter of motivation must be attached to the application. FAO specifies that only applications submitted through its official portal will be considered and strongly encourages candidates to apply well before the deadline.
