Back Aquaculture Intern

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). CFP’s goal is to ensure that inshore fisheries, nearshore fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island countries and territories are managed and developed sustainably. The programme assists governments and administrations to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and systems (national and community-based). It provides a regional framework for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development, and trade, for Pacific Island governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. It assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries in Pacific Island countries and territories to provide food security, sustain livelihoods, promote economic growth and assist climate change adaptation. The programme currently has eighteen internationally recruited and five locally recruited staff, and an annual budget of around USD 4 million.

The role – The position holder will be attached as an Aquaculture Intern to the Aquaculture section of SPC’s FAME Division, and will assist in the implementation of tilapia aquaculture development projects at various locations throughout the Fiji Islands, including operation of a tilapia brood stock holding facility and tilapia hatchery using incubator technique.

The Aquaculture Intern will be responsible for daily husbandry and rearing of tilapia fish, and the maintenance of any aquaculture facilities being operated by SPC or external partners of SPC, and will assist in SPC extension work at commercial and community-based aquaculture farms.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

• feeding of fish
• measurement of water quality parameters
• sampling of fish in ponds to estimate growth and calculate feeding rates
• checking of aquaculture systems for any problems or faults
• record keeping and data entry into logbook or spreadsheet
• construction and operation of a tilapia incubator hatchery system and aquaponics system
• general upkeep of tilapia hatchery and farm work areas

Key selection criteria

• Applicants must be enrolled at a tertiary institution in Fiji in a programme of study that has a specific specialisation in aquaculture, and that includes a work experience attachment requirement in order to graduate
• The successful candidate will need to seek a letter of endorsement from their institution as evidence that an internship is a compulsory requirement for the completion of their studies

Salary, terms and conditions

Required starting date – As soon as possible

Remuneration – FJD $20 to $40 per day (based upon relevant experience)

Duration – There is one full-time internship available for 6 months. The duration of the internship will depend upon the tertiary institution’s course requirement for a work experience attachment and not exceeding 6 months.

Working hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 am–4:30 pm.