“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 Position

The Project aims to increase the productivity and income of, and access to markets by small-scale food producers, especially women, engaged in the integrated aquaculture-agriculture system (IAAS) comprising fish, crops, livestock, and agroforestry sub-systems to combat food insecurity.

The approach of the Project is focused on two aspects:

1. The development of small-scale and low-cost aquaculture-agriculture production systems that are economically viable, gender-inclusive and environment friendly and can be easily replicated and scaled up by small-scale producers, especially women, and
2. Strengthening the role of small-scale producers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the value chains, especially women-led investments. Reduction of food loss along the production chain will be a key feature by addressing harvest loss between the beginning and completion of harvesting, loss between harvest and processing, between processing and retail, and loss between retail and consumption.

The key outcomes are:

1. Increased adoption of diversified climate-resilient and gender-sensitive technologies across the aquaculture value chain such as the integrated aquaculture-agriculture system, agroforestry and other climate-smart agricultural technologies that limit emissions of greenhouse gases from food production;
2. Improved forest cover in fishery communities that sequester carbon through reforestation and protects and restores biodiversity;
3. Increased organization of smallholder farmers with strong input and output market linkages between smallholder farmers and private sector actors (cooperatives and SMEs) in the aquaculture value chain; and
4. Increased knowledge among farmers on managing climate change.

The post holder will lead all the technical aquaculture work and assist the Project Leader in country implementation of the project, stakeholder engagement and coordination and support MEL team.

Key Responsibilities  

• Design and develop small-scale and low-cost aquaculture-agriculture production systems that are economically sound and environment friendly and can be easily replicated and scaled-up by small-scale producers, especially women.
• Promote integrated fish, livestock, trees and bio-fortified crops: integrated pond-based polyculture of tilapia and other indigenous fish species with livestock (e.g. chickens and goats); climate-smart post-harvest fish processing and packaging; and growing of nutrient-dense crops such as orange sweet potato.
• Increase access to climate-smart farming inputs (resilient fish seeds, strengthened fish hatchery operations, fish feeds, etc.) and markets (fresh and processed) by smallholder farmers, especially women.
• Develop and grow aquaculture research in Malawi and contribute to regional expansion of the aquaculture program to other countries in Southern and Eastern Africa.
• Design and implement aquaculture and fisheries research and contribute to socio-economic studies on aquaculture and fisheries.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data and publish in internationally peer-reviewed journals.
• Lead or assist in the design and conducting of training and capacity-building activities for national institutions and other key stakeholders under the project.
• Work with government agencies, universities, NGOs and other research organizations to discover ways of making water-based ecosystems recover, thrive and improve the livelihoods of those dependent on aquaculture and fisheries.
• Develop protocols to implement various activities.
• Manage, mentor and coach junior researchers and research assistants.
• Contribute to the writing of annual project reports by supporting the Senior Scientist.
• Collaborate with communications officers and project managers to quantify the impact of the projects on the ground and write outcome and impact stories/reports, blogs, briefs, etc., which are developed and published regularly for sharing with regional stakeholders.
• Implement and monitor a competitive de-risking grant mechanism for SMEs to provide mentorship, training and coaching to fish farmers processors and communities on IAAS
• Conduct training of trainers for cooperatives, SMEs/agro-dealers, and other relevant actors to deliver extension services.
• Facilitate mentorship and extension services of cooperatives. SMEs/agro-dealers and other relevant actors to small-scale producers.
• Using evidence from MEL develop policy briefs for sharing with Government clearly outlining key intervention areas for policy change.
• Lead scientific publications.
• Contribute to fund raising.

Requirements

The Person

The successful candidate will have:

• A minimum of Ph.D and at least a 4 years of experience or MSc+10 years of experience in Aquaculture and Fisheries.
• Any other added post-graduate training relevant to the scope of the project will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated project management experience is a must.
• A self-starter with proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills and ability to work using a systems thinking approach.
• Politically savvy.
• Communicates well with internal and external stakeholders, including media organizations, and with a wide variety of audiences, both business and technical, excellent oral and written communication.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of the main local languages spoken in Malawi is an added advantage.
• The ability to present coherent and convincing strategic analysis.
• Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to lead and work in multi-cultural teams and develop a close and effective working relationship with partners.
• Demonstrated ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and culturally diverse teams and to recognize and react accordingly to work issues related to/arising from cultural and social contexts.
• Able to travel extensively and work in remote areas under challenging conditions.
• Demonstrated quality of judgment and the ability to think strategically, assessing and responding to new challenges in rural development.
• Teamwork within and across the organization with deep respect for others.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Self-starter.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience in implementing community development programs in rural Malawi or other countries in Africa.
• Understanding of the Forestry sectors in Malawi or other countries in the region. Knowledge gained elsewhere must be transferable.

Benefits

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with annual salary ranging between USD 47,900 – USD 69,700 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.

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae,
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; 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) 31 March 2024.

Location: The post holder will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi. 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 seven 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.