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.