“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 

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 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.

About the Position 

WorldFish is seeking an internationally recruited Post-Doctoral Fellow will support achieving forestry-related outcomes as outlined in the project. The project aims to raise 2.4 million seedlings in about 400 communal nurseries across the target districts in collaboration with District Forestry Coordinators.

The Person  

The successful candidate will be responsible to:

• Assist in designing and implementing the forestry component of the project which is community-led and aligned to the country’s outcomes under the forestry sector and easily be replicated and scaled-out in other regions of the country.
• Promote reforestation and planting of native bamboo species, and regeneration of native forests and woodlots in the project area.
• Establish and operationalize community-managed woodlots and where possible commercialize products from the community-managed woodlots and develop Best Management Manuals for managing community-based woodlots.
• Develop/update training and learning materials and training standards on integrated farming (agroforestry) in aquatic food systems.
• Develop and implement training tools for IAAS – aquaculture, crops, livestock, and forestry subsystems, and environmentally friendly technologies using the local languages in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Provide training in agroforestry and strengthen the capacity of informal, public, and private stakeholders in climate-smart integrated farming systems and scaling up innovative practices.
• Identify researchable issues and options or considerations in pursuit of WorldFish’s mission and consistent with the project’s needs and expectations.
• Collaborate with other team members to design instruments for routine data collection.
• Supervise research assistants to collect routine monitoring data as per designed protocols.
• Contribute or lead in producing projects specified and additional outputs for publication in the peer-reviewed scientific literature and provide coordination and support for the preparation of outputs for other channels appropriate for the dissemination of project-generated knowledge.
• 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.
• Contribute to the writing of annual project reports by supporting the Senior Scientist and 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 stakeholders in the region.
• Lead or contribute to the writing of technical reports.
• Publish papers in internationally peer reviewed journals.

Requirements

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

• A PhD in forestry, ecology, geography, environmental science or a related field.
• Any other added post-graduate training relevant to the scope of the project will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in publishing, question-driven research and detail-oriented, conscientious application of scientific methods.
• Excellent statistical analysis skills and writing skills.
• Experience in project implementation and design.
• Excellent analytical and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision uses known concepts/ methods to generate new knowledge.
• Knowledge of bamboo species and miombo woodlands is necessary.
• A self-starter with proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Teamwork within and across the organization with deep respect for others.

Desired Skills and Qualifications 

• Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to lead and work in multi-cultural teams, and develop a close and effective working relationship with partners.
• 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 difficult conditions.
• Demonstrated quality of judgment and the ability to think strategically, assessing and responding to new challenges in rural development.
• Self-starter.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience in implementing community development programs in rural Malawi or other countries in Africa.
• Understanding of the aquaculture and fisheries sectors in Malawi.
• Knowledge of GIS mapping is an added advantage.

Benefits

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with annual salary ranging between USD 40,900 to USD 47,000 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 two-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) 31 March 2024.

Location: The post holder will be based in Zomba/ 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 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.