WorldFish Center
Position: Consultant (Foresight Analysis of Aquatic Foods)
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Application Deadline: 16 October 2022
Type of contract: Consultancy Contract
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.
Background
The consultant will work with WorldFish Scientists and International Partners in designing and conducting research to understand drivers of change and constraints (social, economic, environment and institutional) that support and guide policy development and investments for sustainable transformation of Aquatic Food Systems across WorldFish’s five impact areas:
- Nutrition, health & food security;
- Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs;
- Gender equality, youth & social inclusion;
- Climate adaptation & mitigation;
- Environmental health & biodiversity
The consultant will also work on foresight modelling of Aquatic Food Systems through
- The testing of tools and models to integrate aquatic food systems data with socio-economic, climate and environmental information; and
- By delivering high quality research to be communicated in peer-reviewed journals, social media platform and international policy dialogue.
The consultant will work with the WorldFish foresight modelling team to support WorldFish Research Strategy and CGIAR Research Initiatives on Foresight and Resilient Agri-food system (RAqFS) and various bilateral projects.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Undertake and deliver research and analysis to support the implementation of foresight studies related to aquatic food systems in WorldFish country of interest.
- In collaboration with other scientists within and outside the CGIAR, develop and implement socio-economic and environmental research and analysis to evaluate performance of WorldFish innovations and impacts of interventions.
- In collaboration with scientists at WorldFish and strategic partners, design innovative foresight models and approaches to enhance analytical capacities of the organization to address key research questions in future fish food system.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on selected case studies related to WorldFish interventions.
- Plan and conduct workshops and other capacity building activities to reinforce the capacity of country offices to adopt a systematic approach to policy analysis and impact assessment.
- Plan and conduct data collection activities in countries where WorldFish operates, including stakeholder consultation workshops in Asia and Africa to explore alternative scenarios and communicate foresight key messages at global, regional and national level.
- Collaborate and support WorldFish Scientists and research partners in national and regional institutions on the design, implementation and analysis of fish foresight modelling, development of practical applications of knowledge gained, and policy recommendations.
- Initiate research proposal development and contribute to the design of new projects.
- Work with WorldFish scientists to collaboratively develop a portfolio of high-profile peer-reviewed publications.
Skills, Experience and Knowledge
- PhD in an appropriate field of Social Science (Rural/Development Sociology, Agriculture Economics, Agriculture/Fisheries and Aquaculture extension, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience and expertise in statistical analysis, in qualitative/quantitative research and evaluation, and in the management of large datasets.
- Demonstrated knowledge in the use of statistical software, such as STATA, SPSS, R.
- Proven proficiency and research experiences in applying econometric and quantitative approaches/analysis using GAMS, Matlab.
- Experience in qualitative/quantitative research and modeling, and scenario building focusing at exploring long term trends and/or the role of agricultural technologies in agricultural settings.
- Demonstrated experiences translating the information gained through research activities into practical applications and policy recommendations to advance WorldFish five impact areas.
- High degree of cultural sensitivity and proven record of effective working relationships in multi-disciplinary, diverse teams particularly in developing countries.
- Able to multitask and work within deadlines with minimum supervision.
- Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in multi-cultural and interdisciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication skills and high proficiency in written and spoken English.
Desirable Skills
- Previous experience in the aquaculture or fishery sectors.
- Ability to design social network studies and conduct graph theory analysis (e.g., centrality measurements).
- Ability and willingness to lead and carry out field work in developing countries.
- Fully familiar with state of the art computer programs and other software for data capture, storage, retrieval and analyses of data.
- Publications and resource mobilization track record.
- Experience from the private sector and international organizations.
- Good project management skills.
How to apply
This opportunity is open to all applicants. The selection of consultants will be based on the relevant qualification and experience. The interviews are expected to be held in October 2022 and only the shortlisted consultants will be notified and expected to attend the virtual interview. The successful consultant should be available to commence the consultancy contract for a maximum of eighteen (18) days per month, for a duration of a maximum of 06 working months.
Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online here latest by 16 October 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; and
- Name and contacts (telephone and e-mail addresses) of three professional referees (clients), you have consulted previously.
The screening will start as soon as possible, and will continue until the position is filled. Only selected consultant 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 people from developing nations to apply.