Position: Research Assistant
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Application Deadline: 25 August 2022
Type of contract: 1-year fixed-term contract (renewable based on performance & budget)
Language(s) required: English (proficient/fluent writing and oral skills)
About WorldFish
WorldFish is an international, non-profit research and innovation organization reducing hunger, malnutrition and poverty across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. For over 45 years, our work on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries has improved the lives of millions of women, men and youth.
Fish and other aquatic foods grown in and harvested from oceans, lakes, rivers and ponds provide income for more than 800 million people and provide 3.3 billion with 20% of their animal protein intake. Our focus on sustainability makes sure that the way we produce and use these foods today means a plentiful future of generations to come.
Our evidence-based solutions range in scale from households to global policies and spans across six interlinked themes: nutrition, gender, climate, sustainability, economy and COVID-19.
We champion aquatic foods for healthy people and planet and believe that a sustainable blue planet of well-nourished children, women and men is within our reach.
About the Position
The new Norad-funded project \u201cDevelopment and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA)\u201d will be implemented in Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Malaysia and Sweden. WorldFish is seeking a nationally recruited Research Assistant to support the Scientist (Fish Feeds and Nutrition) in the achievement of the project goal in Zambia. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the implementation of the FASA project in Zambia, under the direction of WorldFish Project Leader based in Malaysia and the WorldFish Country Director, Zambia and Southern Africa.
The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary team of experts from different backgrounds, including fish nutrition, gender, climate change, scaling of innovations, science communication, rural development and bioprocesses.
The candidate will focus on the implementation on the ground of high quality applied research on fish nutrition and feeds in the laboratory and on-farm, with emphasis on scoping novel local sustainable ingredients, assessing the nutritional quality and digestibility of local ingredients and feeds, estimating the nutrients requirements of local strains of tilapia and African catfish, training of aquaculture stakeholders, communication and outreach and the publication of scientific and technical articles.
The Successful Candidate will
Execute project work designed by the Scientist (Fish Feeds and Nutrition) and Project Leader in Zambia. Assist in the design and conduct ingredient scoping in Zambia. Assist in the design, execution and reporting on the laboratory and on-farm fish feeds and nutrition experiments in Zambia. Collect the data and perform data analysis and interpretation. Assist in the publication of technical, scientific and outreach articles. Work collaboratively with the local Scientist (Fish Feeds and Nutrition) and Project Leader based at the HQ in Malaysia. Assist the Scientist (Fish Feeds and Nutrition) and Project Leader in the development of productive partnerships to further feeds research in Zambia, through key international and national research institutes and universities. Assist in building productive relations with investors and development partners from public and private sectors for scaling out research results. Assist in supervising and mentoring students and interns. Contribute to the reporting on project progress in dialogue with senior as well as junior staff/employees and external partners. All other duties that may be required from time to time.Requirements
This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:
Bachelor Degree or Master of Science in Aquaculture, or related Animal Production fields. At least two (02) year of research experience in aquaculture research. Excellent proficiency of spoken and written English. Proven record of reporting in his/her study field. Motivation for high quality science and delivery of impact from research. Show proven interest and ability to develop and maintain a professional network in the field of aquaculture nutrition and fish feeds research. Ability to work within interdisciplinary research teams, linking own expertise to other fields, including human nutrition, value chains, climate change, scaling and gender research fields. Ability to work independently and contribute to the management of research projects.Desired Skills and Qualification
Benefits
Salary & Benefits
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, provident fund contribution, paid leave and others.
Our Offer
The position will be based in Lusaka, Zambia. Interviews are expected to begin in September 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and expected to attend the virtual interview session. The successful candidate should be available to commence as soon as possible for an initial of one (01) year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of contract renewal depending on performance and funding situation.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online latest by 25 August 2022:
A cover letter including a 2-page (max) description of why you are an ideal candidate for this role referring to the key responsibilities and what you would bring to the role; A current curriculum vitae; Names and contacts (telephone and e-mail addresses) of three professional referees who are familiar with your qualifications and work experience. Your nominated referees ideally should have persons from each of the following category: direct supervisor, internal peer and/or direct report. None of referees will be contacted without your permission.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.
This vacancy is archived.