The Position: The International Potato Center on behalf of WorldFish is seeking a Research Associate – Aquatic Food Loss and Waste, to be based in Maputo, Mozambique.

WorldFish has formed a hosting agreement with CIP for a project in Mozambique, utilising CIP’s legal and operational framework to facilitate administrative services.

The Research Associate – Aquatic Food Loss and Waste will play a key role in supporting the WP3 activities of the AABS project. Primary activities will be focused on Mozambique, with some assignments will be conducted in Tanzania and Kenya. This role is crucial for conducting targeted research, data analysis, and coordination efforts aimed at implementing climate-smart technologies and sustainable practices to reduce fish losses and waste in small-scale fisheries in Mozambique. The position focuses on enhancing the sustainability of fisheries management by reducing fish losses and waste and improving post-harvest processes within these coastal regions.

Requirements

Key responsibilities:

1.    Research and Data Analysis: Conduct comprehensive research and analysis on fish losses, waste, and processing technologies in the target countries. Synthesize data to inform project strategies and decision-making.

2.    Project Coordination and Support: Assist the WP3 lead in coordinating project activities across Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timely execution.

3.    Cross-Country Collaboration: Facilitate communication and collaboration between project teams in different countries, ensuring cohesive efforts and knowledge sharing.

4.    Reporting and Documentation: Prepare detailed reports, research papers, and presentations to document project progress and findings. Contribute to academic publications and policy briefs.

5.    Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with project stakeholders, including local communities, NGOs, government bodies, and private sector partners, to gather insights and foster collaborative relationships.

6.    Innovative Solutions Development: Contribute to the development and testing of innovative, sustainable solutions in fish processing and waste reduction.

Selection Criteria:

·         MSc with 6 years of total work experience, including 3 years of relevant experience in Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Fisheries Management, Agricultural Engineering, Post-harvest Technology, Food Processing, or a closely related field.

·         Additional training and fieldwork experience in post-harvest sciences and post-harvest technology adoption can be an added advantage. Certifications or advanced training in project management, data analysis, sustainability, or related areas are highly beneficial.

·         Cross-Cultural Teamwork: Proven ability in working with diverse teams in cross-cultural environments.

·         Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using statistical analysis software and data visualisation tools.

·         Communication Skills: Excellent communication capabilities, both written and oral, with fluency in English. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the project locations (Swahili, Portuguese) is highly advantageous.