Background:

SWISSAID is a non-government organization headquartered in Switzerland with operations in nine countries. It operates in Tanzania since 1972 with a focus on small scale farming, gender equality and extractives. Swissaid Tanzania has joined hands with other likeminded AE stake holders to support efforts of the government of Tanzania to promote Fish Farming to become a center of excellence of agriculture in Tanzania. Together with other supports, Swissaid Tanzania will station one project officer to be part of the implementing team in Lindi Region.

The overarching objective of Swissaid Tanzania is to improve sustainable rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Further information about SWISSAID is available on: www.swissaid.ch

Project Officer – Marine and Fresh Fish Farming

Duty station: Ngongo/Tulieni – Nanenane ground (Lindi Region)

Areas of intervention on marine and fresh fish farming:

• Extension services to fish farming communities’ sitesnselection for marine fish farming.
• Extension services to marine fish farmers on best techniques in earthen ponds, dykes, and gates construction.
• Extension services on tilapia farming, breeding, and acclimatizing from fresh water to marine water.
• Extension services on fish farming management in terms of stocking rates, time to harvest, manuring, feeding and water exchanges on tidal basis.
• Extension services on mangrove forest conservation and rehabilitation toward climatic changes adaptation and mitigation.

Regions of operation:

Field operations are mainly taking place in the regions of Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma, in close coordination and
collaboration with the District and Regional Fishery and Forestry offices.

Key duties and responsibilities of the Project Officer:

• Consolidate the construction, maintenance and management of the improved ponds and resultant
  increase in food and income from establishing the fish farming value chain.
• Increase the knowledge of fish farmers on handling the production of milk fish and tilapia and support the establishment of marketing networks.
• Support the capacity building of the umbrella organization and the exit strategy and post-project sustainability plan to continue the activities at the end of this phase.
• Provide technical backstopping on both marine and freshwater fish farming and conduct regular field visits to fish farmer groups, including in remote areas.
• Coordinate other Income Generating Activities (IGAs) along the mangrove forests such as beekeeping.
• Promote and use new technologies, in particular dedicated smartphone applications.
• Ensure project material on pond construction, milk fish and tilapia farming is updated, simplified, and distributed to farmers as training aides, helping them to use this to make simple business and production plans.
• Use the material in training of lead farmers and use during Field Farmer Schools (FFS) to train fellow farmers.
• Develop simplistic performance monitoring tools as a basis to keep records of performance, stocking feed and manure inputs and water quality, and guide production accordingly.
• Work with groups to prepare proposals for pond repairs and gate rehabilitation, provision materials, oversee construction, guide on designs and engineering, ensure photographic records and ensure quality.
• Encourage self-help to maintain dikes and deepen ponds and any other work to ensure production and water quality management.
• Oversee tilapia hatchery pond developments and operations.
• Develop production targets, develop production plans, keep regular reports of events, and together with DFO
• Extension Agent, consulting Groups prepare quarterly progress reports against results and activities, reporting to quarterly Technical Project Meetings.
• Establish good working relations and coordinate work with the District Fisheries Officer and other relevant stakeholders.
• In collaboration with Swissaid gender focal point, help mainstream gender throughout the project.
• Carry out any other work as needed to achieve results.

Qualifications and experience:

• Hold a first university degree in fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic sciences, specialized in marine fish farming
• Hold an advanced diploma and/or a significant experience in the area of aquaculture /fisheries.
  Demonstrated experience with project management and leadership, with capacity to effectively work with diverse communities along the coastal areas.
• Interest and experience with grassroots communities in the marine and freshwater fish farming sector.
• Practical experience and interest in working with multiple partners including the government, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.
• A commitment to equal opportunities and promotion of gender equality and equity.
• High level analytical and report writing skills in English.
• Fluent in English and Swahili.
• Must be computer literate.
• Must be a competent motorcycle rider on long field distances along the coastal areas.
• Ability to work independently, multitasking and under pressure.
• Be focused on results, with strong work ethic and self-motivation and a Team player.

Duration of Employment

The Project Officer will work on renewable yearly basis depending to availability of fund starting with probation period of six (6) months working in the project.

Mode of application:

Candidates should submit a letter of intent describing how they qualify for this position, a CV, two referees including contact phone numbers and email address at their earliest convenience.
Deadline: September 30th September 2022.
Applicants MUST indicate expected gross salary in Tanzania shillings
Send application to: info@swissaidtanzania.org
Qualified women candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position