CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Country Representative – Bangladesh

About WorldFish  

“WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy, and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish for their livelihoods. As a member of CGIAR, WorldFish contributes to building a food- and nutrition-secure future and restoring natural resources. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, WorldFish strives to create resilient and inclusive food systems for shared prosperity. For more information, visit: www.worldfishcenter.org”

About the Position
The Country Representative for Bangladesh represents WorldFish at the country level. This role provides leadership in the strategic development and management of Bangladesh’s ‘research for development’ portfolio, engagement with new and existing partners, fostering collaborations with national partners, donors and other CGIAR centers, and proactively pursue and secure funding with the strategic aim of expanding WorldFish’s country program portfolio, ensuring not only business success but also delivering impactful results at scale.

The Country Representative leads the Bangladesh country office’s operations and its staff. The incumbent will regularly engage with other WorldFish country program leads, headquarter staff and the CGIAR regional and global staff. The incumbent provides research contributions to the Bangladesh country program in alignment with personal expertise and experience, as agreed with their supervisor.

Key Responsibilities  

Country Program Development and Implementation:

• Develop and implement the strategic direction for the Bangladesh country office, aligning it with the Government’s national priorities and WorldFish’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
• Lead the formulation, funding, and management of ‘research for development’ projects, actively contributing to proposal design and development.
• Ensure strong linkages between country programs and global initiatives, overseeing the delivery, monitoring and reporting of research for development country programs or regional/global initiatives in the country.
• Provide substantive guidance to senior management on the country’s strategic direction and business status related to aquatic food systems development and research programs.

Representation, Engagement:

• Develop and manage relationships with the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, effectively representing WorldFish’s interests.
• Maintain oversight of WorldFish’s hosting agreements so they stay current and relevant.
• Stay informed about donor and government priorities, country plans and initiatives, ensuring alignment with WorldFish objectives.
• Coordinate WorldFish engagement with the CGIAR’s regional and global programs.
• Working with WorldFish colleagues, strengthening partnerships with CGIAR units, donors, research partners, government bodies and other stakeholders to enhance the visibility WorldFish’s work.
• Represent WorldFish at national, and when required, regional and global forums.

Research Development, Implementation and Adoption:

• Drive the design and execution of a ‘research for development’ program within an aquatic food systems context.
• Collaborate with WorldFish Science Directors, staff and partners to align research programs with national priorities, WorldFish’s strategies and CGIAR’s goals.
• Facilitate the dissemination and uptake of research findings through stakeholder engagements and through coordination with communication teams.

Fundraising and Budget Management:

• Lead and/or contribute to fundraising efforts at the national and global level, identifying opportunities, collaborating with donors, and assisting colleagues in proposal preparation.
• Monitor the financial position of the country program and ensure alignment with funding targets.
• Take overall responsibility for office management, including budgeting, risk management, data management, and financial and project reporting.

Office Management, People Management and Administration:

• Efficiently manage resources, ensuring adequate human, financial, and material assets for research and operations, in consultation with relevant functional units within WorldFish.
• Lead recruitment efforts, staff planning, and professional development, fostering positive and collegial team dynamics.
• Oversee the performance of country office staff, fostering teamwork and research collaboration and ensuring high-quality science outputs in collaboration with global science teams.
• Implement safety and security protocols for a safe work environment.
• Provide timely advice to senior management on potential risks and mitigation strategies.

Requirements  
The successful candidate will have:

• A Master’s or preferably Ph.D. in relevant disciplines such as fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic resources management, international development, environmental science, or related fields, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in leading research programs in an international development context.
• Technical knowledge in aquatic food systems aligned with WorldFish’s mission.
• Understanding of aquatic resources and food system challenges in the country and region.
• Track record of building partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including senior national decision-makers and donor agencies.
• Track record of writing funding proposals and winning grants.
• Skills in program management with a track record in project delivery and knowledge dissemination.
• Expertise in interdisciplinary team leadership, with a solid understanding of the relevance of science in achieving development outcomes and impact.
• Strategic leadership, with a commitment to an organization’s vision, mission and values.
• People and team management, promoting diversity and inclusion and fostering staff wellbeing.
• Proficiency in English, with excellent communication skills for different audiences.
• Ability to write high-quality proposals and reports and, where applicable, research papers for peer-reviewed journals.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Additional language skills relevant to the country or region.
• Regular travel within the country, broader region and globally as required.

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

Location: The post holder will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This position will involve international travel.

Salary range: Competitive salary with benefits. This is a Home Country International (HCI) position. An HCI employee is defined as a WorldFish employee residing in his/her home country. WorldFish’s HCI shall receive comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, accident, and long-term disability insurance.

Contract length: 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.

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. 

How to Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online latest by 05 May 2024:

Apply Here

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.