TERMS OF REFERENCE
Senior Regulatory Architect and Institutional Liaison:
Digital Fish Seed Traceability System Design
Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector plays a critical role in national food security, employment, and economic development. Sustaining productivity gains requires reliable delivery of genetically improved fish see with verified genetic integrity from recognized genetic improvement programs, licensed hatcheries, and regulated distribution networks.
The Government of Bangladesh has established the Fish Hatchery Act 2010 and Fish Hatchery Rules 2011, under which the Department of Fisheries (DoF) is the legally designated authority responsible for hatchery registration, licensing, inspection, and regulatory oversight. The Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) provides scientific leadership in genetic improvement and technical standard development.
Under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program, WorldFish and IFPRI are working to strengthen decentralized aquaculture seed delivery systems through the SeedCompact model. A key component of this effort is the development of a Digital Fish Seed Traceability and Record-Keeping System to strengthen regulatory implementation, ensure genetic integrity, and improve transparency and accountability across the aquaculture seed value chain.
IFPRI is looking for an experienced Consultant to serve as an independent technical advisor and institutional liaison to support IFPRI and WorldFish in strengthening the design and institutional alignment of the digital seed traceability system.
This consultancy supports the design of a scientifically sound, operationally feasible Digital Fish Seed Traceability Operational Blueprint aligned with national regulatory requirements and institutional roles. The Consultant shall act strictly in an advisory and technical capacity and shall not exercise regulatory authority, issue licenses or certifications, conduct regulatory inspections, or grant regulatory approvals.
All regulatory authority, including hatchery registration, licensing, inspection, certification, and compliance oversight, shall remain exclusively with the Department of Fisheries under the Fish Hatchery Act 2010 and Fish Hatchery Rules 2011 and other applicable national laws.
The Consultant’s responsibilities are limited to system design, technical guidance, and institutional coordination support necessary to ensure regulatory alignment and future national system integration.
The Consultant shall provide technical, institutional, and operational support to design a scientifically sound, operationally feasible, and integration-ready Digital Fish Seed Traceability Operational Blueprint aligned with national regulatory requirements, institutional roles, and long-term national system sustainability.
The Consultant shall ensure that the traceability system design supports regulatory oversight by the Department of Fisheries, enables effective program implementation by WorldFish and IFPRI, and allows future integration into national regulatory information systems without requiring major system redesign.
The Consultant shall facilitate structured technical consultations and institutional coordination with the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, WorldFish, IFPRI, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Digital Traceability Operational Blueprint is fully aligned with national regulatory frameworks and operational practices.
The Consultant shall support documentation of institutional consultation outcomes and facilitate communication processes through which the Department of Fisheries may formally confirm its technical concurrence, institutional support, and operational readiness to proceed with pilot implementation under its regulatory authority.
All pilot implementation shall proceed solely under the authority, technical concurrence, and operational oversight of the Department of Fisheries.
The Consultant shall not independently grant, secure, or issue regulatory approval.
The Consultant shall ensure that institutional consultation processes support long-term national adoption and regulatory alignment of the traceability system.
The Consultant shall conduct detailed regulatory and operational analysis to translate existing legal traceability and recordkeeping requirements into a practical and scalable digital traceability framework.
Specifically, the Consultant shall provide the following:
Regulatory Analysis
· Analyze relevant provisions of the Fish Hatchery Act 2010 and Fish Hatchery Rules 2011 relating to hatchery registration, broodstock management, seed production, recordkeeping, licensing, and inspection.
· Identify current regulatory recordkeeping requirements and traceability obligations.
· Ensure traceability system design strengthens implementation of existing regulatory requirements without altering regulatory authority.
Minimum Scientifically Required Traceability Data Definition
· Define the minimum data elements required to preserve genetic identity and ensure traceability across hatchery, nursery, and fish trader, and farmer levels.
· Ensure data requirements are scientifically valid while minimizing operational burden on system users.
· Ensure traceability data structure aligns with existing hatchery registration and identification systems maintained by the Department of Fisheries.
Digital Traceability Logic Design
· Develop simplified event-based traceability logic covering broodstock sourcing, spawning, seed production, transfer, and distribution.
· Ensure traceability logic aligns with existing regulatory inspection and verification practices.
· Ensure traceability logic supports regulatory oversight and program monitoring functions.
Operational Feasibility and System Usability
· Ensure system design prioritizes simplicity, usability, and operational practicality.
· Ensure traceability requirements remain feasible and acceptable for hatcheries, nurseries, traders, and regulatory personnel.
· Ensure system design supports clear operational workflows and ease of adoption.
The Consultant shall develop a comprehensive Digital Fish Seed Traceability Operational Blueprint serving as the technical and operational foundation for digital system development and future national system integration.
The blueprint shall include:
Traceability System Structure and Data Architecture
· Definition of traceability entities, including hatcheries, nurseries, traders, broodstock, and seed batches.
· Definition of minimum required data elements and relationships necessary to ensure traceability.
· Use of unique identifiers aligned with existing Department of Fisheries registration systems to ensure regulatory consistency and future integration readiness.
· Event-Based Traceability Logic
· Definition of traceability events, including broodstock acquisition, seed production, transfer, and distribution.
· Mechanisms ensuring continuity of genetic identity and traceability chain integrity.
· Regulatory Workflow Integration
· Integration with Department of Fisheries inspection, verification, licensing, and compliance workflows.
· Alignment with operational roles of District Fisheries Officers and other authorized regulatory personnel.
Data Governance, Access Framework, and Institutional Alignment
· Definition of system data structure and access framework supporting authorized use by Department of Fisheries, WorldFish, and IFPRI, consistent with their respective regulatory and programmatic roles.
· Design of system architecture supporting secure data management, authorized access, reporting, and analysis.
· Provision of system design guidance supporting institutional coordination and regulatory oversight.
· National System Integration and Interoperability Readiness
· Ensure system architecture supports future integration, interoperability, or transfer into national regulatory information systems operated by the Department of Fisheries.
· Ensure system design includes standard data structures, clear identification systems, and integration-ready architecture.
· Ensure system blueprint supports data export, system interoperability, and long-term institutional sustainability.
Technical Sustainability and Non-Proprietary Design
· Ensure system design avoids proprietary or restrictive technical structures that could limit future use, integration, or institutional management.
· Ensure system blueprint supports long-term national ownership, scalability, and maintainability.
System Simplicity and Scalability
· Design system architecture suitable for Bangladesh’s operational and institutional context.
· Ensure system blueprint provides sufficient clarity for digital partners to develop and implement the system effectively.
The Consultant shall organize and facilitate consultation workshops and technical engagement meetings involving:
· Department of Fisheries officials, including District Fisheries Officers and authorized regulatory personnel
· Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute representatives
· WorldFish representatives
· IFPRI representatives
· Licensed hatchery operators and hatchery associations
· Nursery operators and representative associations
· Traders and seed distribution actors
· Other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate
These consultations shall:
· Validate traceability system design and operational feasibility
· Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and institutional roles
· Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final system blueprint
· Support institutional readiness for pilot implementation and long-term national adoption
The Consultant shall document consultation outcomes and integrate validated recommendations into final deliverables.
Deliverable 1: Regulatory Traceability Mapping and Minimum Data Requirements Report
Defines traceability logic and minimum data requirements aligned with the Fish Hatchery Act 2010 and Fish Hatchery Rules 2011, and based on regulatory and operational assessment, establishes the basis for a digital fish seed traceability system to strengthen existing recordkeeping, preserve genetic integrity, and support effective regulatory oversight
Deliverable 2: Digital Fish Seed Traceability Operational Blueprint
Defines the traceability system structure, data architecture, workflows, integration readiness, and technical guidance required for system development and future integration with national regulatory information systems.
Deliverable 3: Stakeholder Consultation and Institutional Validation Report
Documents consultation processes, institutional feedback, and validated recommendations from the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, WorldFish, IFPRI, and relevant private sector stakeholders.
Deliverable 4: Final Consultancy Report and Pilot Readiness Guidance
Provides the final fish seed traceability system blueprint, implementation guidance, and pilot readiness recommendations. Based on findings from regulatory review and consultation workshops, the report will also include practical recommendations, as appropriate, to support effective system adoption, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability.
The Consultant shall meet the following minimum qualifications and professional experience:
· Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in fisheries science, aquaculture, aquatic resource management, or a related discipline.
· At least 15 years of professional experience in aquaculture development, fisheries management, seed systems, or regulatory implementation in the aquaculture sector.
· Demonstrated knowledge of Bangladesh’s aquaculture seed sector, including hatchery, nursery, and seed distribution systems.
· Demonstrated understanding of the Fish Hatchery Act 2010 and Fish Hatchery Rules 2011, including their implementation in hatchery registration, broodstock management, seed production, and regulatory oversight.
· Proven experience working with national regulatory institutions, particularly the Department of Fisheries, and familiarity with institutional roles of DoF and BFRI in the aquaculture sector.
· Demonstrated experience facilitating stakeholder consultation and institutional coordination involving government agencies, research organizations, and private sector actors.
· Strong analytical and technical writing skills with demonstrated experience preparing policy analysis, regulatory assessments, operational frameworks, or technical reports.
· Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and engage with government institutions, development partners, and research organizations.
· Fluency in English required; working proficiency in Bangla is essential.
· Professional experience at a senior level within the Department of Fisheries or other national fisheries regulatory institutions in Bangladesh.
· Experience supporting regulatory system strengthening, governance reforms, or institutional coordination in the aquaculture or fisheries sector.
· Demonstrated experience working on traceability systems, regulatory information systems, or digital data management systems in agriculture, aquaculture, or fisheries.
· Experience facilitating national-level consultation processes involving government agencies, research institutions, and private sector stakeholders.
· Familiarity with genetic improvement programs, broodstock management, and seed quality assurance systems in aquaculture.
· Previous experience working with international research organizations, development partners, or CGIAR centers.
Please submit (1) an updated CV demonstrating relevant experience in aquaculture regulation, seed systems, or institutional coordination, and (2) where available, an example of a relevant technical report, policy document, or similar work. Materials should be submitted in English. No cover letter is required.
