Live Food Specialist for Shrimp Larviculture
Ensure effective implementation of shrimp aquaculture project; manage live feed production.
Overview
Ensure effective implementation of shrimp aquaculture project; manage live feed production.
You have:
- Advanced university degree in aquaculture, fisheries, biology, marine science, or related field; Bachelor's degree with 2 years of experience acceptable.
- 1 year of relevant work experience in aquaculture hatcheries, especially live food is preferred.
- Working knowledge of English.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the Technical Cooperation Programme project TCP/GUY/4101, which aims to strengthen national capacity for shrimp aquaculture production in Guyana through improved hatchery capabilities. The project is implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Department, and contributes to FAO’s Strategic Framework, particularly under Blue Transformation, Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture Production, and Gender Equality and Rural Women’s Empowerment.
The objective of this assignment is to ensure effective, timely, and results-based implementation of the TCP/GUY/4101 project by strengthening coordination, operational delivery, and stakeholder engagement across the shrimp aquaculture value chain, while supporting sustainable and inclusive sector development.
To support effective project delivery, FAO seeks a Live food Specialist for shrimp larviculture to implement the production, cultivation, management, and quality control of live feeds, specifically microalgae and Artemia, used in shrimp larviculture.
The assignment also contributes to strengthening public–private partnerships and enhancing value chain integration to support long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the shrimp aquaculture sector.
Reporting Lines
The Live Food Specialist for Shrimp Larviculture will work with the Hatchery Management Expert with overall supervision from the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO).
Technical Focus
The incumbent will work closely with the Shrimp Larviculture Specialist, to ensure alignment between live feed availability and larval production requirements, Maturation Specialist, Water Quality Specialist and the Production Team at the Hatchery and have the following technical focus.
• Ensure that all live feed production is always available and meets the minimum technical standards. • Conduct various tests (Microalgae density targets etc), review and update SOPs, etc
Tasks and Responsibilities
Microalgae: The Specialist shall be responsible for all activities related to microalgae production, including:
• Establish and maintain pure strains of microalgae suitable for shrimp larval production, including species such as Chaetoceros and Thalassiosira. • Prepare and manage agar and liquid culture media, including the formulation of macro- and micronutrients, vitamins, probiotics and other additives required for optimal algal growth. • Operate and maintain batch and semi-continuous microalgae production systems, ensuring adequate culture redundancy and continuity of supply. • Scale up microalgae cultures from stock strains through primary, secondary and mass culture stages to meet hatchery production requirements. • Monitor algal culture performance through daily assessment of cell density, purity, physiological condition, growth rates and doubling times using microscopy and standard counting techniques. • Monitor and maintain optimal environmental and water quality parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, light intensity and nutrient concentrations. • Conduct routine screening for contamination, including bacterial load, protozoa and potential pathogens such as Vibrio spp., and coordinate laboratory verification as required. • Implement and enforce biosecurity, cleaning and disinfection protocols throughout all microalgae and live feed production systems. • Ensure appropriate treatment and sterilization of water used in microalgae and Artemia production through filtration, UV sterilization, chlorination and other approved methods. • Verify the effectiveness of sterilization and disinfection measures through routine monitoring and record keeping. • Harvest microalgae cultures at appropriate growth stages to maximize nutritional quality and production efficiency. • Manage Artemia production systems, including hatching, enrichment, harvesting, production monitoring and quality control activities. • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on production, consumption, mortality, water quality, biosecurity measures and operational performance. • Identify operational risks and implement corrective measures to ensure consistent production, resource optimization and compliance with established hatchery protocols. • Contribute to the continuous improvement of microalgae and Artemia production systems through data analysis, quality assurance and adoption of best management practices.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:
Minimum Requirements
• For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in aquaculture, fisheries, biology, marine science, or related field; Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience. For PSAs: Technical degree/certificate in aquaculture, fisheries, biology, marine science, or related field. • 1 year of relevant work experience in aquaculture hatcheries, especially live food is preferred. • Working knowledge of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Highly technical knowledge with live feeds production (Artemia cysts, nauplii hatchery, enrichment) and formulated feeds. • Knowledge of water quality management and equipment (Incubators, aerators, filtration, pumps, heaters, salinity controllers). • Basic record-keeping, data entry, and reporting skills. • Ability to troubleshoot equipment and environmental issues. • Familiarity with hatchery biosecurity zoning (clean/dirty areas), pathogen exclusion protocols, and disinfection procedures. • Compliance with safety protocols for handling chemicals (e.g., chlorine, iodine), live cultures, and hatchery equipment. • Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). • Immediate reporting of hazards or incidents.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience with live feeds production for aquaculture? | This question assesses your practical knowledge and experience in managing live feeds which are crucial for shrimp larviculture. | Provide specific examples of your previous roles involving live feeds production and any successes you've achieved. |
| How do you ensure water quality in aquaculture systems? | Interviewers ask this to evaluate your understanding and methods for maintaining optimal conditions for aquaculture. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What techniques do you use for biosecurity in hatchery operations? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe how you handle equipment malfunctions during production. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use for maintaining accurate production records? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you approach the scale-up of microalgae cultures? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What types of testing do you perform to assess culture performance? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| In your view, what are the key elements for successful stakeholder engagement in aquaculture projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 9 hours ago
-
Updated 4 hours ago
-
Source:
fao.org
