Country Representative, Côte d’Ivoire

About WorldFish  

WorldFish is an 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 and other aquatic foods for their livelihoods and nutrition. Our work in countries advances progress on multiple 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation, with a vision of healthy people, healthy planet and shared prosperity.   

About the Position 

The Country Representative is responsible for designing and leading the strategic research and operational direction in the country/region, ensuring alignment with national development priorities and research needs while overseeing a research-for-development portfolio and securing funding opportunities. The role involves managing in-country staff, fostering relationships with government bodies, national partners, donors, and civil society, and advocating for the organization’s mission through high-level engagements and the communication of research outputs. The Country Representative oversees office operations, risk management, financial reporting, and quality assurance for research portfolio management to ensure efficient and high-standard service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Main Purpose of Job:

• Design and lead the implementation of strategic research and operational direction in Cote D’Ivoire in line with the organization strategy, creating strong alignments to country development priorities and research needs.
• As the spokesperson for the organization in the country, represents the organization’s interests within the highest levels of governments, in line with the host-country agreement(s), national partners and research entities, to promote and advance the organization’s research agenda.
• Provide advice to senior management on opportunities, risks and trends related to research and program implementation.
• Lead and oversee the execution of a research-for-development portfolio, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategy, research goals and Cote D’Ivoire context.
• Identify funding opportunities and develop and review project proposals to support fundraising in Cote D’Ivoire.
• Identify, design and lead the implementation of innovative research projects in area of disciplinary expertise, leading to the delivery of high-quality scientific outputs, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, and development impacts.
• Create working relationships with policy makers to support the development and implementation of government policies, programs and budget related to the organization’s mandate.

Main engagement, collaboration and communication responsibilities:

• Manage the in-country/staff, fostering a collaborative, respectful and inclusive environment, overseeing performance reviews, and identifying professional development opportunities.
• Lead and oversee the communication of research results and development impacts in a broad array of outlets, including peer reviewed journals, media, policy for development and national and international scientific conferences to promote uptake of organization and CGIAR research outputs, in coordination with communication and partnership unit(s).
• Advocate the organization’s interests, build relationships and identify opportunities for synergies with government bodies, national partners, (potential) donors, civil society and private sector, promoting the organization’s mission and research agenda and Cote D’Ivoire priorities.
• Build relationships with donors, civil society, and the private sector to mobilize resources and enhance the visibility of the organization’s work.
• Ensure alignment with CGIAR Centers and other (CGIAR) research programs in the region to maintain consistency in research strategy.

Main responsibilities in the delivery of timely and quality services:

• Manage the development and timely delivery of the office’s annual workplan, including program plans ensuring alignment with the assigned budget; budget and project portfolio cover several key areas of focus.
• Lead the management and operations of the country office, including risk management, security, business and management of resources, and (financial) reporting, in line with organization’s policies and procedures to ensure efficient and high-quality delivery.
• Review and ensure the quality of reports, presentations, and findings from the office, in relation to operational and research portfolio management and donor reporting.

Requirements

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

• A Ph.D. in relevant disciplines such as fisheries, aquaculture, aquaculture, aquatic resources management, international development, environmental science, or related fields, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in leading research programs.
• Experience developing and leading research for development programs related relevant to organization’s mission, across the wider West Africa region beyond Cote D’Ivoire.
• Experience leading multi-cultural teams in different locations and engaging in systems thinking.
• Experience building and maintaining high level partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government, donors and experts, advocating research priorities, and fostering collaboration, having strong political acumen.
• Experience identifying funding opportunities, leading proposal development, and securing financial resources to support research programs. Is up to date on global fundraising trends and international donor landscapes.
• Experience working in an international not-for-profit research organization is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and French is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Significant experience working in Côte d’Ivoire or Francophone West Africa, with established networks in government and the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
• Experience with donor engagement (EU, AFD, AfDB, World Bank, USAID, FCDO, foundations) and demonstrated success securing funding.
• Strong facilitation skills for multi-stakeholder platforms, policy dialogues, and private‑sector partnerships.

Key Competencies Required

Core competencies

• Accountability: Takes accountability for actions and their impact on organizational success, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of team, office or project outcomes; Shapes organizational policies to uphold and reflect high ethical standards.
• Collaboration and Communication: Expresses ideas clearly and confidently, tailoring messages to the audience, adapting responses based on verbal and nonverbal cues to ensure mutual understanding; Actively seeks participation and collaboration promoting dialogue and shared understanding in discussions; Encourages cross- functional collaboration in shaping plans and decisions.
• Respect and Inclusion: Builds a positive, inclusive work environment through proactive communication and cultural sensitivity; leads initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusion, fostering healthy relationships and maintaining perspective in challenging situations.
• Results and Impact Orientation: Establishes high performance standards and commits to quality, excellence, and continuous learning; develops, plans and implements strategies, sets realistic goals, and leads cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.

Functional and Technical Competencies

• Analytical, Critical and Systems Thinking: Delivers strategic recommendations, leverages systems thinking to foster innovation and adaptability, and integrates complex interconnections across functions and programs.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Prioritizes critical monitoring information needs and designs integrated monitoring solutions using various tools and platforms; provides actionable insights for decision-making, and leads the writing of comprehensive reports that integrate diverse insights and data.
• Influence and Negotiation: Balances patience and decisiveness in negotiations, adapting the approach to achieve successful outcomes, stays calm under pressure, demonstrates objectivity and practices active listening and reflection to resolve differences of opinion constructively.
• Planning and Organizing: Identifies collaboration opportunities across teams and offices to achieve results, leads the development and implementation of strategic plans, effectively delegates tasks to optimize team strengths and creates and manages realistic schedules while monitoring time and progress.
• Project/ Program Management: Monitors project and portfolio delivery, manages budgets and risks effectively, intervening when needed to maintain progress, manages large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders, and establishes project management tools and work plans with clear targets and indicators for successful implementation and impact.
• Resource Mobilization: Develops and implements strategic resource mobilization plans, negotiates and secures long-term partnerships and funding, and uses data-driven strategies to forecast and meet goals aligned with organizational priorities.

 Leadership and Management Competencies

a) Managing Team Dynamics

• Uses emotional intelligence to build trust and positive relationships with team members and stakeholders, handling challenges with empathy.
• Mentors and supports colleagues by fostering a safe space for learning, setting and assessing clear performance goals aligned with organizational growth and providing constructive feedback to support professional development.
• Encourages and promotes personal and team responsibility for well-being, health and safety in the workplace, inspires proactive action to ensure safe and inclusive practices, building mutual trust.

 b)    Strategic Leadership

• Builds trust and respect by actively engaging with stakeholders, responding to their needs, aligning innovation strategies with stakeholder priorities, keeping them informed of developments, and driving collaborative efforts.
• Leads and supports change initiatives by inspiring adaptability, addressing barriers, monitoring progress and using proactive consultation and engagement approaches.
• Anticipates and evaluates risks within team(s) or function(s), ensuring alignment with business goals and compliance requirements, implements proactive risk mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrates commitment to the organization's vision and mission by aligning contributions with organizational goals and balancing short- and long-term objectives in decision-making and introducing and adapting to emerging technologies.

Benefits

This Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position offers an annual salary of USD80,000 to USD 105,000 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.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

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

Applications will remain open and will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Location: The post holder will be based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

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 

Over 40% of WorldFish staff is women with some 30 nationalities represented and contributing to its dynamic multicultural work environment. WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion are 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.