Senior Scientist (Island Food Systems Program)

In 2022, WorldFish developed a program on Island Food Systems, building on WorldFish’s 40-year presence and research integration in the Pacific region. The development of an island centred program was a priority under a Pacific partnership theme of the CGIAR 2022-2025 Portfolio in the CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods. For 2025-2030, this island food systems research is an Area of Work (AoW) in the CGIAR Food Frontiers and Security Science Program in new CGIAR Portfolio. This is a research program seeking to strengthen resilience of island food systems for healthy diets and a sustainable blue economy. It provides a framework for convening and coordinating partnerships to develop food system research that addresses many of the challenges experienced by islands globally.

The program is now recruiting a Senior Scientist to work in the Island Food System team with the Principal Scientist (Island Food Systems Program Lead), and the Country Lead in Solomon Islands to increase the research capacity and impact of the program. The Senior Scientist will operate as an interface between the international research agenda on island food systems and national partnerships and research planning in Solomon Islands. This involves the implementation and integration of research activities within bilateral projects, as well as those in the CGIAR Food Frontiers and Security Science Program. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing research program and agenda led by WorldFish.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and analysis of interdisciplinary research in Solomon Islands, with linkages to cross-island exchange and learning, within the framework of the international island food system program.
• Support the Solomon Islands Country Lead with strategic research planning and programming, as well as in managing the effective engagement with stakeholders and program partners.
• Contribute to the WorldFish and CGIAR Food Frontiers and Security Science Program and related annual and multi-year priorities, in terms of planning and well communicated sharing of learning from projects and associated programs to regional and global levels.
• Mentor staff and supervise early career scientists as appropriate to develop and enhance application of WorldFish’s interdisciplinary research skills.
• Produce high-quality peer-review and other types of science outputs based on the above.
• Contribute to project and program reporting.

Requirements

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

• PhD in aquatic systems, natural science, social or economic science with over 15 years’ experience in technical and research management work in Solomon Islands and/or other island countries.
• Experience working with national research and development in Solomon Islands is essential, with a deep understanding of the national island food system.
• Must have experience conducting integrated research in close partnership with national agencies and institutions, and other organizations.
• Must be a skilled operator with demonstrated experience in leading the planning, implementation and completion of research processes as part of a broader international research program.
• Experience in conducting quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies, ideally experimenting with innovative research methods that are fun and engaging for participants.
• Deep understanding of Solomon Island society, with a theoretical understanding of food security, gender and social relations in the country and how these influence island food systems.
• Highly proficient in data management and analyses with evidence of previous reporting and production of scientific outputs.
• Highly proficient in Office 365 software (word, excel, powerpoint).
• Comfortable and confident working within a diverse international team, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills to a broad range of colleagues and partners.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Familiarity with the policies and legislative structures underpinning food systems in Solomon Islands, particularly as they relate to aquatic foods: the Solomon Islands Fisheries Policy 2020-2030, MFMR Operational plan 2021-2023, MFMR, Provincial Division Development Plan 2026-2031, MFMR CBRM Scaling strategy, as well as Provincial Fisheries Ordinances.

This Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position offers an annual salary of USD78,000 to USD 104,000 per annum. WorldFish's IRS shall receive an attractive retirement plan, 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.