Fisheries Protection Officer

Fishery Protection Officers for the Falkland Islands Government are warranted officers responsible for providing an efficient Fishery Protection Service to the Falkland Islands Government. Ensuring that regulations and laws of the Falklands are adhered to by vessels in and around the Falkland Islands Conservation Zones.

The Role

Fishery Protection Officers (FPOs) are required to spend approximately a third of their time at sea, on our chartered Patrol Vessel, for periods of not less than one week and up to one month at a time inspecting licensed vessels and working with the Patrol Vessel to deter Illegal, Unlicensed and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and ensure crew safety and welfare. Whilst not at sea FPO’s are based at the Fisheries Department and are required to conduct pre-licence inspections on vessels, manage the reporting and compliance of licensed vessels, collate data from vessel tracking/remote sensing platforms and prepare of case files when an offense has been detected.

The Person

• Must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, such as Marine Science, Oceanography or Fisheries Management or a Marine Certificate of Competency or Skipper (Full) Fishing Certificate. We will also accept a minimum of 5 years equivalent experience in a similar role.
• Ability to work under testing sea conditions and be comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy.
• Ability to patiently in an assertive and calm manner communicate with individuals where English is not their first language.
• Displays integrity, influence and self-motivation, both on a personal and professional level and behaves in an honest, ethical and professional manner at all times.
• Must be prepared and willing to spend long periods of time at sea and where required work weekends, public holidays and participate in an on-call rota.
• Must hold a nationality that is permitted for travel on RAF Airbridge due to involvement in national security matters.

The Package

• Fixed Term Contract, up to 4 years.
• Starting Salary £35,774 per annum (depending on qualifications and experience) rising to £41,168 per annum with an on call and sea going allowance payable.
• Eligibility for a 25% gratuity (taxable), paid upon successful completion of the contract.
• 30 days annual leave, plus government and public holidays (totalling 41 days leave).
• Time Off In Lieu for weekends at sea and weekends worked during busy times.
• Relocation allowance, to help with moving costs.
• Flights package for you and recognised dependents at the beginning and end of contract, and additional annual return flights contingent on the duration of the contract.
• Government housing for rent and a starter pack to help you settle in.
• A stimulating and supportive setting to work in and a unique and beautiful setting to live in.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can download the job description and view further information from our online vacancy page.

For further information regarding the position please contact Rachel Hanbury on [email protected] or by calling (+500) 27260.

Timetable for Recruitment and Selection Process

Closing Date for Applications: 31 March 2026
Shortlisting commencing: w/c 06 April 2026
Interviews commencing: w/c 13 April 2026

Falkland Islands Government (FIG)

The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory, with full internal self-government.

As the largest employer in the Falkland Islands, we offer many unique and fulfilling job opportunities, across the full spectrum of public services. Our responsibilities include those typically managed by central government – taxation, legislation and policy, as well as those usually managed on a local level such as town planning, health and social services, and education. FIG also provides services specific to the needs of the Falkland Islands, such as fisheries research, power generation and the Government Air Service, FIGAS.

For more information about working for Falkland Islands Government, take a look at our recruitment microsite: www.jobs.gov.fk

The Falkland Islands

Set in the South Atlantic Ocean, around 400 miles east of South America and 8,000 miles south-west of the UK, the Falkland Islands are a small, thriving community with a British way of life, benefiting from good local services, a varied social calendar and an absence of traffic jams!

The Falkland Islands’ stunning natural environment provides an unspoiled landscape and amazing wildlife to observe and explore, including penguins, whales and dolphins, all seen from the shore.

For those with a sense of adventure, it provides opportunities which are hard to match anywhere else in the world.