“WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy, and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish for their livelihoods. As a member of CGIAR, WorldFish contributes to building a food- and nutrition-secure future and restoring natural resources. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, WorldFish strives to create resilient and inclusive food systems for shared prosperity. For more information, visit: www.worldfishcenter.org”

About the Project

Animals, plants and microorganisms harvested and grown in water play a significant role in sustainably feeding and nourishing the world. Globally, 800 million people depend on small-scale fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. But these vital aquatic food systems are hindered by the insecure livelihoods of those in related jobs, their low capacity to adapt to climate change, and the loss of marine nature. 

The Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway project, supported through the UK’s Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program under the umbrella of the Blue Planet Fund (BPF), will focus on enabling communities to adapt to and mitigate against climate change as well as responsibly and sustainably manage marine and coastal nature and resources resulting in improved food and nutritional security as well as employment and income opportunities.  The project will be implemented in two phases over seven years, starting with Phase 1 in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

About the Position

In your role as the Project Manager, you will provide a global management of a large project focused on strengthening aquatic food systems in Africa and Asia, through scaling successful existing innovations championed by WorldFish across the Global South, as well as testing new approaches and technologies. This includes schemes to foster marine and coastal ecosystem conservation, data-based systems for better management of small-scale fisheries and integrated seawater farming where fish can be reared alongside algae and shellfish.

You will provide overall project management of the project through the project lifecycle, including engaging with country teams in countries involved in planning, implementation and reporting throughout. You will lead preparation and implementation of the annual workplans across multiple countries, seeking to leverage private sector partners in achieving the project goals for sustainable aquaculture growth to deliver positive impacts at scale on smallholders within countries.

The Person

The successful candidate will be responsible to:

• In close coordination with Project Lead, support overall implementation for the management, administration, planning, successful implementation and coordination of WorldFish portions of the Africa and Asia.
• Participate in meeting/workshop to formulate strategies of aligning with different projects.
• Work closely and seek support from science staff members of WorldFish to ensure delivery of science objectives of Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway and other large projects. Support international and national experts during formulation of different concept notes and implementation strategy.
• In line with donor requirements, CGIAR and WF regulations and with the support of Admin-Finance staff, maintain budgetary control of expenditure, effectively manage funds and prepare basic financial reports of the projects.
• Utilizing the experience of ongoing activities plan, design and implement project activities for multi-year and current year at the field level and monitor project activities in the light of projects goals and purposes and WorldFish goal.
• Coordinate and work harmoniously with partners that will include but not be limited to Government institutes, national and international NGOs, the private sector, donors, and other WF staff.
• Oversee the in-depth M&E process and communication with partners and donors, development of different communication & extension materials, report publications.
• Directly involved in preparing the multi-year and annual work plans, budgets, improved technologies & varieties delivery & dissemination implementation strategies, adaptive research trials, different socioeconomic study of the projects.
• Ensure the timely submission of project and other reports as required by donors, project partners and the WF. Participate in developing design of different research trials under participatory Adaptive Research and Adoption Trials; prepare reports of those trials for different purposes.
• Mentorship and technical assistance given to research teams for delivering quality private sector-oriented outputs in sustainable aquaculture.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• A completed masters in Aquaculture or related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Project Management for Development (PMD-Pro) certification.
• Possess at least 5 - 10 years of experience in aquaculture development in Asia or Africa.
• Excellent knowledge and technical skills, with demonstrated ability to perform critical thinking.
• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills, with proven ability to provide technical guidance and leadership in project management.
• Evidence of excellence in writing and reporting.
• Extensive professional network with private sector, donors, partners and academia.
• Experience in conducting synthesis work and publishing research findings.
• Proven ability to manage multi-partner and multi-disciplinary research projects.
• Proven fundraising experience with international donors.
• Ability to work in developing countries.
• Excellent written and verbal English proficiency.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Working and living experience in developing countries in Africa and Asia.
• Experience in market systems analysis.
• Private sector engagement.

Benefits

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with annual salary ranging between USD 48,000 to USD 53,800 per annum. WorldFish's IRS shall receive comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, accident, and long-term disability insurance. Internationally recruited staff employed outside of their home base/country of nationality will also be eligible to receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for school-age dependents between age 4 and high school graduation. The duration of the contract will initially be for a three-year period with possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance. All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above;
• A current curriculum vitae; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 24:00 (MYT) 07 June 2024. 

Location: The post holder will be based in Penang, Malaysia. This position will involve international travel.

The screening will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

WorldFish has 7 offices across Asia, Africa and the Pacific, with more than 400 staff and 27 nationalities who contribute to a dynamic multicultural work environment.

WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion is valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions.

People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.