IR 1 Scientist (Improved Science-based Fisheries Management decision making)

Key Responsibilities:

WorldFish, Bangladesh and South Asia is hiring an Intermediate Results (IR) 1 Scientist for a 5-year, $15 million dollar project funded by USAID called 'ECOFISH' in order to meet its vision: "Be the research partner of choice, delivering high impact, transformative and equitable fisheries and aquaculture solutions to reduce poverty and malnutrition in Bangladesh and South Asia". The key objective of the ECOFISH project is to improve the resilience of estuarine ecosystem and livelihoods of communities reliant on the Hilsha fishery.

 

Fisheries and aquaculture are important for many in Bangladesh, especially the poor. The fisheries provide income, livelihoods and nutrition. In particular, Hilsha fish species is the most important national fish both in terms of both consumption and value. WorldFish and its strong research partners (BFRI among many others) are researching technologies for increased production and productivity and enhanced management of Hilsha fisheries in order to increase the supply and access of Hilsha both under domestication and encatchment.

 

The scientist will be hired to deliver to the USAID ECOFISH project. As one of three key leaders on this project, the key purpose of this position is to enhance socio-ecological and economic resilience of target communities. You will work closely with two similar level leaders seeking to strengthen adaptive co-management of Hilsha fisheries and improve science-based fisheries management decision-making, respectively. Collaborating closely with WorldFish staff on other research projects and integrating research findings is vital for the success of the ECOFISH project.

 

Under the direct supervision of Country Director of WorldFish Bangladesh and Project Leader/ Senior Scientist of ECOFISH project, this position will be required to supervise and provide support to staff assigned to the ECOFISH project as follows:

 

• Improved application of science and community engagement into resource and conservation planning and decision making;
• Strengthened community-based monitoring of target fisheries and technologies;
• Improved payment for ecosystem services scheme.
• Develop and lead a stream of research to deliver improved science-based fisheries management decision making in Hilsha fisheries in Bangladesh.
• Provide scientific leadership, mentoring and advice to sub-IR scientists, staff, partners and stakeholders in the planning, implementation and writing up of research papers and other science products.
• Synthesis of learning and produce quality scientific documents as required by the funding agency, for internal WorldFish requirements and broader national and international science and development communities.
• Advance understanding of the impact and roles of fisheries management in achieving CGIAR intermediate development outcomes and sustainably meeting food, nutrition and poverty reduction.
• Maintain productive relations with donors and partners to mobilize resources in support of the project and broader WorldFish research in development agenda.

 

Skill Requirements:

Essential:

• Ph.D. in Fisheries and/or Aquaculture, preferably with research on coastal fisheries management and/or Hilsha fish species covering areas such as ecology, policy, economics, or resource assessment;
• Up to 5 years of experience in a developing country context on community-based fisheries and/or aquaculture management a with a focus on enhancing resilience;
• Ecological knowledge of Hilsha or other coastal fisheries, and/or aquaculture production, including species identification and interactions, and threats analysis at an estuarine and/or community scale;
• Experience in stakeholder participation and community engagement, with a specific understanding of the role of social norms/cultural beliefs in fisheries management in producing gender-equitable outcomes;
• Experience in project programming, implementation, and supervision, training and capacity building in direct reports.
• Experience of interacting with national, regional and international R and D practitioners and policy makers;
• Excellent proficiency of spoken and written English with strong research and writing skills.

 

Desired

• Knowledge of ecosystem services analysis and mechanisms for Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES);
• GIS/database analysis, quantitative data collection skills, information technology skills for rapid data collection/storage/retrieval/sharing;
• Strong skills in written and oral English, and a track record of publishing and presenting results and future plans;
• Proven ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team and partners at all levels from senior international organisations and national government, to field staff.
• Bangladeshi national preferred and desirable, but if expat has sufficient experience, they may also apply

 

Core Competencies:

• Planning competencies: familiar with the use Theory of Change (ToC) for planning, prioritizing, monitoring and evaluation of Research in Development (RinD) initiatives; able to relate individual and organizational activities/outputs to the IRs and the broader Intermediate Development Outcomes (IDOs) and System-Level Outcomes (SLOs) of the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems.
• Analytical competencies: able to analyse the context of a given development challenge (problem or opportunity) "situation analysis"; able to reconcile the knowledge of different stakeholders and science; competent in systems thinking and have a knowledge of how to apply systems research methodologies.
• Process competencies: able to facilitate a multi-stakeholder group to a common objective and mutual agenda of complementary activities.
• Learning/ PAR competencies: able to use/embed participatory action research and rural appraisal tools, creating a learning culture; able to understand and manage change processes and deal with resistance; able to work in an interdisciplinary team.

 

Positions are open at Dhaka based for Bangladeshi national (NRS) and International (IRS) candidates to apply.  Subject to applicant status, salary and benefits will be in compliance with WorldFish NRS or IRS remuneration policies. WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package, a non-discriminatory policy and provides an innovative work environment. Interested applicants are invited to submit your application through Bdjobs online latest by 30 June 2014. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.