Country Representative – Côte d’Ivoire

About the role

The Country Representative will design and lead the strategic research and operational direction for WorldFish in Côte d’Ivoire, ensuring alignment with national development priorities and the organization’s global strategy. Acting as the primary spokesperson, the role will engage senior government officials, national partners, donors and civil society to promote the research agenda and deliver high‑quality scientific outputs.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement strategic research and operational plans aligned with national priorities.
• Represent WorldFish at senior government levels and with national partners to advance the research agenda.
• Advise senior management on opportunities, risks and trends related to research and program implementation.
• Lead and oversee a research‑for‑development portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and the local context.
• Identify funding opportunities and develop or review project proposals to support fundraising.
• Design and lead innovative research projects, delivering peer‑reviewed scientific papers and measurable development impacts.
• Build and maintain relationships with policy makers to influence government policies, programmes and budgets.
• Manage in‑country staff, fostering a collaborative, respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Oversee office operations, risk management, financial reporting and quality assurance for the research portfolio.

Required profile

• Proven experience managing research programmes or development portfolios in a low‑ or middle‑income country.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization at senior government and donor levels.
• Strong track record in fundraising, proposal development and partnership building.
• Experience supervising and developing local staff in a multicultural setting.
• Excellent communication skills for high‑level advocacy and dissemination of research results.

Required skills