Job Description

The Senior Scientist (Aquatic Animal Health) works across disciplines and sectors to generate compelling scientific evidence that persuades critical stakeholders and decision-makers at all levels to invest resources and implement practical aquatic animal health management and biosecurity practices that will ensure production of sustainable and safe aquatic foods from a one health perspective.

Lead WorldFish aquatic animal health and one health research cluster within WorldFish and support WorldFish mission and goal as outlined in the WorldFish 2030 Strategy. Ensure integration of aquatic animal health and one health research within the overall aquatic biosciences program. Directly engage and support research planning and implementation at global, regional and country levels; secure research funding; build sustainable national and international research partnerships for scientific excellence; develop and implement collaborative programs in focal countries for scaling aquatic animal health technologies and innovations; and contribute to WorldFish and one CGIAR impact targets.

The successful candidate will work on the following:

(a) Research

• Take overall responsibility and accountability for the design, development and execution of aquatic animal health and one health research and innovation projects and programs throughout the organization, to enable quality outcomes and impact through integration of research and science with other One-CGIAR initiatives and bi-lateral projects.
• Ensure coordination with Genetics, Animal Feeds and farming practice research clusters under Biosciences Division and support development of best fit aquatic animal health and one health package of practice to derive maximum benefit from WorldFish improved germ plasm (e.g. Tilapia, Carp and Catfish) in Asia and Africa.
• Develop integrated research plans for aquatic animal health and one health within the multidisciplinary aquatic biosciences research program addressing research challenges in fish genetics, genetically improved fish strains, fish feeds, fish health and aquaculture farming systems.
• Build scientific consortia to strengthen WorldFish\xe2\x80\x99s leadership in relevant scientific domains (e.g. rapid diagnostics, Surveillance and epidemiology digital survey tools, diseases of carps/tilapia/catfish, AMR).

(b) Science Leadership

• Provide Science leadership for accomplishing quality research outputs.
• Establish and mentor strong national aquatic animal health teams and biosecurity programs in WorldFish focal countries.
• Provide leadership for the development and implementation of biosecurity programs for WorldFish breeding platforms in Malaysia, Egypt, Zambia, Nigeria and Bangladesh to secure WorldFish genetically improved stocks.
• Provide Leadership and support to national competent authorities to operationalize national aquatic animal health and One Health strategies in WorldFish focal countries (Bangladesh, Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt).
• Provide mentorship and technical assistance to research teams for delivering quality science outputs (primary science publication, technical reports, presentations) in the area of aquatic animal health and one health.
• Lead and engage actively in ongoing and emerging CGIAR initiatives related to aquatic animal health and one health.
• Act as WorldFish\xe2\x80\x99s main focal point for aquatic animal health and one health, both internally and externally, representing WorldFish globally and regionally, and serving as a spokesperson on related issues.

(c) Partnerships and Funding Pipeline Development

• Lead development of a funding stream of bilateral projects in the area of aquatic animal health and One Health.
• Mobilize resources and partnerships for supporting primary research in aquatic animal health and one health at the global, regional (Africa/Asia) and focal country (Bangladesh, NIgeria and Egypt) levels leading to establishment of a strong aquatic animal health research cluster under the Biosciences Research program in WorldFish.
• Nurture established international and national research partnerships (e.g. Stirling, Wageningen, CEFAS, Exeter, Mahidol, Liverpool, MSD Singapore, ILRI) and develop new partnerships in support of scientific excellence in the area of aquatic animal health and One Health.
• Build strong relationships with research and development partners (public and private) related to aquatic animal health and one health and work with the Business Development team to identify opportunities for collaborative research and innovation.
• In coordination with the directors of science groups, identify and develop opportunities for strategic partnerships, programmatic funding and assist with donor relations, related to aquatic animal health and one health.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• PhD and expertise and a track record of leading research, policy engagement, and resource mobilization in aquatic animal health and one health (e.g., in relation to aquatic animal health management, One Health, disease diagnosis, biosecurity, national strategies, AMR, surveillance).
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience including leading research, managing and building teams, policy engagement, mobilizing funding, and communicating research to the public.
• A track record of high level and influential scientific publications.
• Research and collaboration experience in the global south.
• A track record high quality research.
• A strong record of high-quality research publications.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge disciplines and guide applied and policy-oriented multidisciplinary research.
• Ability to mentor and bring out the best in multidisciplinary multicultural teams in multiple time zones.
• Ability to influence key stakeholders in WorldFish program countries in Asia and Africa on aquatic animal health management, national aquatic animal health strategy, aquatic food systems policy, management or technology development.
• Communicates clearly and compellingly in writing and through public presentations
• Track record of successfully influencing high level policy makers, businesses, and other organizations in the aquatic food sector.
• Demonstrated ability to raise substantial funds.
• Ability to influence donors, stakeholders at the highest level.
• Ability to design, convene and mobilize partnerships to deliver impact for people and nature.
• Ability to effectively communicate a common vision to diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively with people at all levels in a decentralized, respectful, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary organization.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as an agent of change, in order to build a unified CGIAR culture and dynamic, integrated and agile organization.
• Uphold the highest ethical standards by inspiring trust and treat all people with respect and personal integrity.

Benefits

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with annual salary ranging between USD 81,600 - USD 96,000 per annum. WorldFish\'s IRS shall receive comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, accident, and long-term disability insurance. Internationally recruited staff employed outside of their home base/country of nationality will also be eligible to receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for school-age dependents between age 4 and high school graduation. The duration of the contract will initially be for a three-year period with possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance. All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae,
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 24:00 (MYT) 10 September 2023.

Location: It\xe2\x80\x99s preferable that this position is based in Penang, Malaysia, however, other WorldFish locations
will also be considered. This position will involve international travel.

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.

WorldFish