Senior Regulatory Architect and Institutional Liaison: Digital Fish Seed Traceability System Design

Job Posting Organization:
The organization involved in this job posting is IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute) in collaboration with WorldFish. IFPRI is dedicated to providing research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. Established in 1975, IFPRI operates in over 40 countries and employs a diverse team of researchers and policy experts. The organization focuses on agricultural development, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and nutrition, working closely with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to implement effective policies and programs. WorldFish is a global research organization that aims to reduce poverty and improve food security through sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. Together, these organizations are working to enhance the aquaculture sector in Bangladesh, which is vital for the country's food security and economic development.

Job Overview:
The position of Senior Regulatory Architect and Institutional Liaison is crucial for the development of a Digital Fish Seed Traceability System in Bangladesh's aquaculture sector. The consultant will serve as an independent technical advisor, focusing on the design and institutional alignment of the digital seed traceability system. This role is essential for ensuring that the system is scientifically sound, operationally feasible, and aligned with national regulatory requirements. The consultant will not have regulatory authority but will provide technical guidance and support institutional coordination to ensure that the traceability system meets the needs of the Department of Fisheries and other stakeholders. The overarching goal is to strengthen regulatory implementation, ensure genetic integrity, and improve transparency and accountability across the aquaculture seed value chain, which is vital for sustaining productivity gains in the sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Providing technical, institutional, and operational support to design a Digital Fish Seed Traceability Operational Blueprint that aligns with national regulatory requirements.
• Facilitating structured technical consultations and institutional coordination with relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Fisheries and Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute.
• Conducting regulatory analysis to translate existing legal requirements into a practical digital traceability framework.
• Defining minimum data elements required for traceability and ensuring that the system design supports regulatory oversight.
• Developing a comprehensive Digital Fish Seed Traceability Operational Blueprint that includes system structure, data architecture, and integration readiness.
• Organizing and facilitating stakeholder consultation workshops to validate the traceability system design and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
• Documenting consultation outcomes and integrating validated recommendations into final deliverables.
• Preparing reports that define traceability logic, minimum data requirements, and provide guidance for pilot implementation and long-term sustainability.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess the following qualifications:

• An advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in fisheries science, aquaculture, aquatic resource management, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in aquaculture development, fisheries management, seed systems, or regulatory implementation in the aquaculture sector.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Bangladesh’s aquaculture seed sector, including hatchery, nursery, and seed distribution systems.
• Understanding of the Fish Hatchery Act 2010 and Fish Hatchery Rules 2011, including their implementation.
• Proven experience working with national regulatory institutions, particularly the Department of Fisheries.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder consultation and institutional coordination involving government agencies and private sector actors.
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills, with experience preparing policy analysis and technical reports.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and engage with various stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required, and working proficiency in Bangla is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree, such as a Master’s or higher, in fields related to fisheries science, aquaculture, aquatic resource management, or similar disciplines. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of the aquaculture sector and the regulatory frameworks that govern it.

Experience:
The position requires at least 15 years of professional experience in relevant fields such as aquaculture development, fisheries management, seed systems, or regulatory implementation. This extensive experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively navigate the regulatory landscape and provide valuable insights into the design and implementation of the digital traceability system.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as all materials must be submitted in English. Additionally, working proficiency in Bangla is essential, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and regulatory bodies in Bangladesh.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy role is focused on providing technical advisory services and does not involve regulatory authority. The consultant will work under the authority of the Department of Fisheries, and all pilot implementations will proceed with their technical concurrence and operational oversight. The position may involve full-time commitment, and the consultant will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including government agencies, research organizations, and private sector actors. Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the hiring process.