Senior Scientist / Scientist (Ecosystem Conservation)

“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

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced scientist to lead a work package focused on scaling incentive-based conservation of marine ecosystems in Bangladesh, Tanzania and Mozambique.

As a work package leader, you will be responsible for the successful implementation of the work package and managing sub-partners. In addition, you will conduct research to generate scientific knowledge and develop innovative solutions to address ecosystem conservation using incentive-based systems.

As a work package leader, you will report directly to the Project Leader, providing regular updates on progress, challenges, and risks within their work packages.

You will also collaborate with the other work package leaders, the Project Coordinator, and other team members to ensure effective coordination and integration across work packages.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct Research on Incentive-Based Conservation of Marine Ecosystems: Design and implement research on various incentive-based systems for marine ecosystem conservation. Use scientific methodologies and data analysis techniques to gather insights and identify key intervention areas.
• Assessment of Preferences for Incentive Packages: Employ choice modeling or other stated-preference techniques to evaluate preferences for different incentive packages among stakeholders.
• Assessment of Benefit Sharing Mechanisms: Evaluate the mechanisms for sharing benefits from conservation efforts among stakeholders, ensuring equity and sustainability.
• Designing Incentive-Based Fisheries Management: Develop frameworks for incentive-based fisheries management that align with conservation goals and stakeholder needs.
• Designing Sustainable Financing Mechanisms: Create sustainable financing models to support long-term conservation and fisheries management initiatives.
• Conservation adaptation and innovation: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to identify opportunities for adapting existing conservation programmes in the local context. Work closely with stakeholders, including fisher’s groups, women’s groups in rural coastal areas, to co-design and pilot innovative solutions for marine conservation.
• Evaluate and optimize projects: Assess the effectiveness and feasibility of different incentive-based ecosystem conservation pilot programs. Analyse data and evaluate the performance of pilot projects to identify the most promising practices. Provide recommendations for further optimization and scaling.
• Collaboration and partnerships: Engage with public and private sector partners to foster collaboration and leverage resources for research and innovation. Collaborate with other scientists, institutions, and organizations working in the field to enhance synergies and maximize the impact of research efforts.
• Knowledge dissemination: Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences to contribute to the scientific knowledge base in the field of incentive-based conservation. Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to share research outcomes and best practices, fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building.
• Perform other relevant duties as requested by the supervisor(s).

The Person

The successful candidate will have:

• Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., marine conservation, environmental management, or related disciplines).
• Strong research background and experience in designing and implementing studies related to incentives, marine conservation, preferably in developing countries.
• Previous experience in marine conservation and research studies related to agriculture or aquaculture.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis, and statistical tools.
• Excellent scientific writing skills and ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to effectively disseminate research outcomes and engage with stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Understanding of gender equality and inclusion principles, with an interest in addressing the gendered impacts of food waste and loss.
• 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.
• Uphold the highest ethical standards by inspiring trust and treating all people with respect and personal integrity.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Track record of successfully influencing businesses, and other organizations in the aquatic food sector.
• 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.
• Ability and desire to travel and spend periods of time at the field level.
• Desire and drive to work in a development and research context to alleviate poverty and eradicate malnutrition.

Benefits

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with annual salary ranging between USD 81,600 – USD 96,000 per annum (for Senior Scientist level) and USD 47,900 – USD 69,700 per annum (for Scientist level). 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.