Project Leader/ Senior Scientist

Project background:

The Enhanced Coastal Fisheries (ECOFISH) Project is a 5-year project funded by USAID 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 as a source of income, livelihood and nutrition, especially the poor. In particular, Hilsha fish species is the most important national fish both in terms of both consumption and value. WorldFish and our research partners are researching technologies to increase the supply and access of Hilsha both under domestication and encatchment.

 

Under the direct supervision of Country Director of WorldFish Bangladesh and Discipline Director NRM (HQ), the Project Leader / Senior Scientist will be charged with improving the resilience of the estuarine ecosystem and the livelihoods of communities reliant on the Hilsha fishery in Bangladesh; directly supervise three sub-leaders to improve science-based fisheries management decision-making; strengthen fisheries adaptive co-management; and enhance socio-ecological and economic resilience of target communities. Collaborating closely with WorldFish staff on other research projects and integrating research findings is vital for the success of the ECOFISH project.

 

 

Key responsibilities:

 

• Provide overall technical leadership to develop and coordinate 3 streams of research that collectively improve the resilience of estuarine ecosystem and livelihoods of communities reliant on the Hilsha fishery in Bangladesh
• Oversee and be responsible for financial and administrative aspects of the project including managing subcontracts with local service providers and managing the project budget whilst ensuring compliance with established WorldFish accounting principles and CGIAR regulations
• Monitoring program indicators, evaluate program results and making recommendations for improvement in program implementation
• Analysing project impacts and challenges to adaptively manage the project to meet or exceed results, and importantly ensuring women and marginalized groups are beneficiaries of the project
• Preparing annual work plans and progress reports, and monitor the implementation of these plans. Synthesising learning and producing quality scientific documents as required by the funding agency, for internal WorldFish requirements and broader national and international science and development communities
• Interacting directly and on a regular basis with USAID, WorldFish HQ office and other stakeholders
• Participating in regular field visits to the project areas to assure project progress towards activity objectives and goals
• Advance understanding of the impact and roles of fisheries management in achieving CGIAR intermediate development outcomes and sustainably meeting food, nutrition and poverty reduction
• Represent WorldFish Bangladesh in relevant national and international forum in Hilsha conservation and coastal water management

 

 

Skill and qualifications:

• 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
• 10 years’ experience in research on community-based fisheries and/or aquaculture management with a focus on enhancing resilience in developing countries
• Up to 5 years’ experience in project programming, implementation, and supervision, training and capacity building in direct reports
• 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 of interacting with national, regional and international Research and Development practitioners and policy makers
• Excellent proficiency of spoken and written English with strong research and writing skills

• Knowledge of ecosystem services analysis and mechanisms for Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES); adaptive co-management; micro finance; conservation planning; and/or participatory action research tools and methodology will be added advantage(s)
• Proven ability to successfully lead a multi-disciplinary team and partners at all levels from senior international organisations and national government, to field staff
• Bangladeshi national is preferred, although an expat with similar experiences would be entertained

 

This position will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is open for Bangladeshi (NRS) and International (IRS) candidates.  Subject to applicant status, salary and benefits will be in compliance with WorldFish NRS or IRS remuneration policies. WorldFish is committed to developing an inclusive work environment where diversity of thought, style, culture and skill is valued in support of individual performance and potential, as well as our business goals and mission.  WorldFish offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Women are encouraged to apply.

 

Interested applicants are invited to submit your application through Bdjobs online latest by 30 June 2014.Only short-listed candidates will be notified.