The Post
The Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling has been awarded funding through Open Philanthropy to develop an Asian Fish Welfare Network (AFWN) which supports research, training and communication activities that build capacity at individual and institutional levels towards improved fish welfare practices throughout the aquaculture value chain in Asia. This three-year project builds on similar prior funding for the project "Improving Farmed Fish Welfare in Asia" (2022-25), which focused on activities in Thailand and Vietnam. The new AFWN project will continue in the current countries and expand into Indonesia.

The Project Manager will play a key role in the delivery of the project, working closely with the Project Lead and Project Steering Group, supporting the Project Research Coordinator and any other staff who may be employed for specific expert inputs. The post will be supported with a 50% FTE Administrator position.

The Project Manager will ensure the project operates effectively with robust governance and financial management whilst also engaging creatively and supportively with academic, policy, commercial and non-government organisations in the target countries to achieve the project objectives and deliverables.

Description of Duties

• Manage project resources and activities under the Project Lead to ensure delivery of objectives effectively and on time, in line with University of Stirling financial, ethical, and other policies. Ensure records are maintained and financial management complies with University Financial Regulations, and that research activities are approved by the relevant Ethics Board
• Prepare and maintain a project risk register, focusing on regulatory, ethical, and reputational issues in target countries, and funder requirements and regulations in the USA and UK
• Provide the Project Lead, Steering Group, and funder with progress, budget, and monitoring reports as required
• Manage the promotion and development of the Asia Fish Welfare Network as a member-based initiative, aiming to formalise it as a sustainable independent entity by project end
• Manage calls for fundable research projects from international and national organisations, including review and selection procedures
• In collaboration with the Research Innovation and Business Engagement Team, conduct due diligence on partner organisations selected for funding
• Work with the Contracts team to create suitable contracts for managing partner-led research through sub-awards or supplier agreements
• Monitor and report on progress, taking action to ensure deliverables are met, validated, and invoices properly raised and evidenced
• Build strong working relationships with academic and administrative staff of partner organisations to identify and resolve issues promptly
• Participate in capacity building by developing and delivering strategies for information sharing, coordination, and collaboration among partner organisations and sub-projects
• Working with partner organisations as appropriate, manage the organisation and running of training, policy, outreach or other types of workshop and short events, mainly in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. This will include management of budgets and payments to local partners including contracts where required, invitation and registration lists, promotion and publicity etc
• Working with the Project Lead and Project Steering Group, develop international exchange and mentorship schemes, strategies for their promotion and implementation and detailed management procedures including required contracting and budget arrangements
• Lead development of branding and promotion strategy for the Project and Network, ensuring regular press releases, blog articles, videos, and social media content
• Work with the MSc Course Director and Learning and Teaching Coordinator, manage recruitment and support of six MSc students from eligible Asian countries for Institute of Aquaculture programmes and in-country research
• Work with the Project Lead to implement team management systems, including meetings, communication, and documentation of decisions, actions, and outcomes
• Provide management and administrative support to the Project Research Coordinator
• Where appropriate, represent the project leadership at local, national, and international meetings and events, including in Asia
• Support the Project Lead and academic staff in developing and writing future related project proposals