Research Analyst (Partnerships)

WorldFish seeks to create an inclusive world of healthy, well-nourished people and a sustainable blue planet, now and in the future. We provide research and innovation in aquatic food systems to support sustainable development and food system transformation toward healthy and resilient diets. Our 2030 WorldFish Research and Innovation Strategy: Aquatic Foods for Healthy People and Planet outlines our commitment to guiding the transition to more resilient aquatic food systems in three priority impact areas: Social and Economic Inclusion, Nutrition and Public Health, and Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability.

About the Position

The position fills an important role in the One CGIAR Initiative on Resilient Aquatic Food Systems (RAqFS), where the position will support the implementation of Work Package 2 “Aqua+Partners” focusing on developing and strengthening novel partnerships that co-produce sustainable and nutrition-sensitive development pathways with aquatic foods in Timor-Leste. This is a growing area of WorldFish’s work in Timor-Leste where we are seeking to integrate aquatic foods with partnerships that span sectors of society and government.

Against this background the Research Analyst will join our newly established Baucau office and research team partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. In line with the new WorldFish Aquatic Foods for Healthy People and Planet research and innovation strategy, the WorldFish Timor-Leste country program is expanding its focus on components of food systems beyond production, and this position contributes to supporting this new direction. This position will work closely with science teams from the RAqFS Initiative and ACIAR projects focusing of fish-based livelihoods and nutrition-sensitive fisheries management. These projects have a focus in Baucau and Lautem Municipalities.

This position will be based in Baucau with intermittent periods of posting in Lautem and Dili, as well as frequent travel to other project sites.

The Person

The successful candidate will:

• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and trainings with project focus communities, including engagement with local authorities, external agencies and NGOs as necessary.
• Plan and organize research activities and partnership events/meetings, acting as a liaison for communities and other partners.
• Carry out data collection in the field (including supporting a team of data collectors) and facilitate activities at the community level.
• Support the development of fish-based products including facilitating linkages to markets and consumers.
• Prepare information materials for government and community stakeholders, contribute to project reporting for donors and provide input to scientific publications.
• Ensure quality communication and engagement with national, municipal and community stakeholders, including government and NGO partners, on research implementation and findings.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in Agri-Business, Rural Development, Agricultural or Fisheries Sciences, Food Technology, Social Sciences or related field.
• Experience in research or development programs in Timor-Leste, relating to agriculture, rural development, food technology or natural resources (including research methods).
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate program activities and organize events (workshops, demonstrations, trainings).
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and working with national, municipal and local partners.
• Experience in youth organizations and agri-business development using local products, an advantage.
• Must be proficient in data collection and data management.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office 365 software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to draft research concepts, reports and publications.
• Comfortable and confident working within a diverse international team, with good interpersonal and communication skills to a broad range of colleagues and partners.
• Willingness and ability to be based in Baucau and undertake travel within Timor-Leste, and possibly internationally.
• Good verbal and written English language skills, with evidence of previous report writing in English desirable.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of fisheries and/or aquaculture.
• Experience applying participatory and gender-sensitive research methods that are fun and engaging.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze quantitative and/or qualitative data to a high standard.
• An interest in nutrition and the potential of fish-based products to improve diet quality.
• Experience developing information and education materials for government and community stakeholders.
• Fluency in a main language of Baucau or Lautem: Makasae, Fataluku or Waima’a.

Benefits

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including comprehensive benefits (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, 15% employer provident fund contribution, paid leave and others. The duration of the contract will initially be for a three-year period with possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online latest by 19 March 2023:

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

Location: The post holder will be based in Baucau, Timor-Leste.

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 7 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.