Aquaculture & Feed Production Officer 6 views0 applications

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

We are  recruiting to fill the position below:

 Job Title:  Aquaculture & Feed Production Officer

Location: MMC and Jere, Borno

Job Purpose

• Under the supervision of the Livelihood Project Manager, the Aquaculture and Feed Production Officer is the technical lead for the fish farms in MMC, Jere and Mafa and for the Mafa Fish Feed Production Centre.
• The goal is that all four run as productive, profitable community enterprises, with affordable local feed, good fish husbandry and value addition.

Responsibilites
Assessment and planning:

• Carry out a technical assessment of each fish farm: pond condition and capacity, water source and quality, stocking history, mortality, growth rates, feeding practices and records.
• Lead the fish farm profitability diagnostic with the Business Development Officer. Analyze stocking density, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, harvest weights, selling prices and cost per kilogram.
• With the Agricultural and Infrastructure Engineers, define the technical requirements for pond rehabilitation at MMC and Jere and for the replacement feed mill line.
• Prepare a production plan for each farm: species (mainly catfish), stocking density, staggered stocking and harvesting calendar, and expected output.

Fish farm rehabilitation and restocking:

• Advise the engineers on pond layout, depth, inlets and outlets, and water management needs during rehabilitation.
• Oversee pond preparation before stocking: liming, fertilizing where appropriate, filling and water quality checks.
• Source certified, healthy fingerlings or juveniles from reputable hatcheries. Supervise transport, acclimatization and stocking.
• Set up a staggered stocking cycle so ponds are harvested in rotation and income is regular.

Production management and fish health:

• Train and coach pond teams in feeding schedules, water quality monitoring (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia), grading, predator control and pond hygiene.
• Set up disease prevention and biosecurity: quarantine of new stock, safe handling and the right response to mortality. Link to veterinary and fisheries extension services.
• Monitor growth through regular sampling and adjust feeding to improve the FCR and reduce waste.
• Make sure every farm keeps pond-by-pond records of stocking, feeding, sampling, mortality, harvest and sales.

Fish Feed Production Centre:

• Work with the Agricultural Engineer on specifying, installing and commissioning the replacement feed line (hammer mill, mixer, pelletizer or extruder, dryer, bagging).
• Develop feed formulas for each growth stage (starter, grower, finisher) using local ingredients such as maize, soybean, groundnut cake, fishmeal, premix and binders. Balance protein, energy and cost.
• Set up quality control: ingredient checks (moisture, mould, aflatoxin risk), batch records, pellet size, stability and floating or sinking behavior, and safe storage.
• Train 5–8 operators, mainly youth, in machine operation, formulation, hygiene, safety, stock control and record keeping.
• Plan ingredient procurement with the Business Development Officer, including bulk buying at harvest when prices are lowest, and plan feed supply to the three project farms and other buyers.
• Run the centre as a practical training hub for youth groups and other fish farmers in feed formulation and processing.

Processing, value addition and marketing:

• Train members in fish processing: smoking and drying with improved kilns, hygiene, packaging and storage. The aim is to reduce post-harvest losses and add value.
• Help set up fee-based smoking services for non-member producers where feasible.
• With the Market Linkages and Digital Solutions Officer, link farms to buyers in Maiduguri markets, restaurants, institutions and traders. Plan harvests to match demand and use price information to time sales.
• Provide production data to the Business Development Officer for pricing, business plans and cost recovery.

Sustainability, monitoring and reporting:

• Develop simple SOPs for pond management, feed production and fish processing, in English and Hausa.
• With the Asset Management Officer, make sure aquaculture equipment and inputs are recorded and maintained.
• Link each farm and the feed centre to the fisheries department and ADP extension officers who will support them after handover.
• Submit monthly technical reports with production, FCR, survival, feed output, sales and challenges. Provide MEAL data and contribute to the handover readiness assessment.

Cross-cutting duties:

• Promote environmentally sound practices: responsible water use and discharge, and safe handling of chemicals and feed ingredients.
• Make sure women and youth have fair access to roles in production, feed processing and fish processing.

Qualifications, experience and competencies

• Essential: a university Degree (B.Sc. or HND) in Fisheries and  Aquaculture, Animal Science (with a fisheries or nutrition option), or a related field.
• Desirable: An M.Sc. in  Agriculture.

Professional experience Essential:

• At least 4 years of practical experience in fish farming, preferably catfish in earthen or lined ponds, including production planning, fish health and record keeping.
• Hands-on experience in fish feed formulation and production using local ingredients, including running or supervising a small feed mill.
• Experience training farmers or community groups in fish production.
• Experience with NGOs, UN agencies or government  agricultural programmes in North-East Nigeria or a similar setting.

Desirable:

• Experience with feed extruders or pelletizers, and with feed quality control.
• Experience with fish processing (smoking and drying) and market linkages.
• Experience supporting cooperatives or community-run aquaculture enterprises to become profitable.
• Knowledge of the fish value chain and markets in Borno State.

Personal requirements:

• Strong technical knowledge of fish nutrition, water quality, biosecurity and fish health.
• Able to analyze production data such as FCR, survival and cost per kg, and turn it into practical advice.
• Excellent practical training and coaching skills, suited to adults with low literacy.
• Problem-solver who is comfortable working hands-on at pond side and in the mill.
• Integrity in input, procurement and quality checks.
• Commitment to inclusion, PSEA and humanitarian principles.
• Proficient in MS Office or Google Workspace, especially spreadsheets.

Languages:

• Essential: fluent English; good spoken Hausa.
• Desirable: Kanuri.