Project Manager Position Announcement
General Information
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on behalf of WorldFish is looking for a suitably qualified person to fill the position of Project Manager (IITA-TZ-2025-WorldFish-008-NRS-Zanzibar-Unguja). The duration of the contract for all four positions is two years, renewable subject to performance and availability of funds. These are nationally recruited positions, and IITA offers a competitive remuneration package.
Background
WorldFish is an international, nonprofit research and innovation institution that creates, advances, and translates aquatic food systems science into scalable solutions. We envision an inclusive world of healthy, well-nourished people and a sustainable blue planet, now and in the future. Our mission is to end hunger and advance progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation to transform food, land, and water systems with aquatic foods for healthier people and the planet.
For over 45 years, WorldFish’s data, evidence, and insights have shaped practices, policies, and investments to end hunger and advance sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries. We have a global presence across 20 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, with 460 staff of 30 nationalities deployed where the most significant sustainable development challenges can be addressed through holistic aquatic food systems solutions. Embedded in local, national, and international partnerships, our work sets agendas, builds support, and informs decision-making for climate action, food and nutrition security, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, blue economy, One Health, and AgriTech, integrating gender, youth, and inclusion.
A core element of the 2030 WorldFish Research and Innovation Strategy: Aquatic Foods for Healthy People and Planet is focused on building the resilience of aquatic food systems to shocks, which is critical during this time of climate, ecological, and economic crises. WorldFish is part of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural innovation network. For more information, please visit https://www.worldfishcenter.org.
Job Specification
Position Background
The Project Manager for the Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) project provides leadership, coordination, and representation for the AABS Project at the country level. This role is responsible for the implementation of the AABS activities in the country, engagement with new and existing partners, fostering collaborations with national and local government, and the dissemination and uptake of research findings for the project to the donor (FCDO and BPF). In collaboration with the AABS Project Lead and the WorldFish country office, the Project Manager coordinates the AABS country operations. The incumbent will regularly engage with stakeholders, including senior decision-makers and donor agencies. The Project Manager provides research contributions to the AABS country program with personal expertise in alignment with the global level experience.
Duty Station
The position will be based in Unguja, Zanzibar.
Key Responsibilities
Country Project Management and Implementation
- Lead the management of the AABS project in the country across all work packages/outcomes, knowledge management, and communications, actively leading work planning, budgeting, partner engagement, and implementation, ensuring it aligns with FCDO’s Blue Planet Fund and COAST priorities.
- Ensure strong linkages between the country project and the overall global program, providing necessary data, reports, and inputs to ensure alignment, knowledge sharing, and timely delivery.
- Oversee the delivery, monitoring, and reporting of the project in Tanzania and ensure that the country-level activities feed into the program outcome and MEL system and follow approved work plans.
- Support country-based scientists and sub-partners to ensure work is implemented in a coordinated way across technical areas.
- Efficiently manage resources, ensuring adequate human, financial, and material assets to ensure timely and quality project implementation.
- Take overall responsibility for the project management process, including implementation, budgeting, risk management, data management, and financial reporting.
Representation and Engagement
- Develop and manage relationships with the AABS donor (FCDO) and their representatives in the country, the national government, and other stakeholders, actively representing WorldFish’s interests.
- Stay informed about donor and government priorities, country plans, and policies and adjust accordingly to ensure alignment with AABS objectives.
- Coordinate WorldFish’s engagement with other BPF and FCDO programs.
- Represent AABS at national, and when required, regional and global forums on project management-related issues.
- Collaborate with AABS staff and partners to align research activities and projects with national priorities, BPF strategies, and FCDO’s goals.
- Guide the dissemination and uptake of research findings for the project to the donor (FCDO and BPF) through stakeholder engagement and coordination with communication teams.
- Engage with private sector actors in the country, representing the project and WorldFish at prioritized private sector fora.
Budget Management
- Coordinate development of the budget across technical areas, guiding budget inputs, following project timeframes and reporting processes outlined at the global level.
- Monitor the financial position of the country project and ensure alignment with the overall program budget.
General
- Undertake other tasks as appropriate, as discussed with the Supervisor and WorldFish leadership.
Education, Qualification, and Certification
- A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic resources management, international development, environmental science, or related fields, with a minimum of 7 years’ experience in leading research projects.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent qualification.
- Proficiency in English and Swahili.
Skills, Experience, and Knowledge
Competencies
- Experience working in Zanzibar, including with government and NGOs in Zanzibar.
- Effective stakeholder engagement and conflict management.
- People and team management, promoting diversity and inclusion and fostering staff wellbeing.
- Excellent communication skills for different audiences.
- Understanding of marine and coastal resources and food system challenges in Tanzania.
Physical Requirements
- Regular travel within the country, broader region, and globally as required.
- Regular office attendance, encouraging strong attendance across the wider team.
Desirable Skills/Experience
- Skills in program management, personnel management, and interdisciplinary team leadership.
- Track record of building partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
Application Process
The application pack should include an application letter, copies of certificates, and a curriculum vitae which contains a telephone number, email address, and contact details of two referees. Applications should be sent by email to [email protected] and addressed to:
The Country Representative, IITA-Tanzania,
Plot No. 25, Mwenge-Coca-Cola Road,
Mikocheni Industrial Area,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Applicants are requested to include the reference number for the position (IITA-TZ-2025-WorldFish-008-NRS-Zanzibar-Unguja) in the subject of their application letter, as well as in the subject of their email. Please note that any applications without the reference number indicated will be automatically disqualified.
Closing Date for Applications
Wednesday, 9th July 2025. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
