Aquaculture Technical Lead

Job Title: Aquaculture Technical Lead

Location: Ilorin

Reports To: Management

Workmode: Fulltime (Onsite)

Job Purpose

The ACE Lead will provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, covering the RCD farm, hatchery, broodstock programme, academy and research activities. The role will translate business priorities into a clear ACE strategy, annual operating plan and budget, while driving scientific credibility, production performance, capability development, biosecurity, safety and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Centre Leadership

• Define and execute the strategy, priorities and annual operating plan for ACE. • Provide integrated leadership across the RCD farm, hatchery, broodstock programme, academy and research portfolio. • Establish governance routines, decision rights, performance standards and operating rhythms. • Advise Management on aquaculture trends, technical risks, capability needs and strategic opportunities. • Build a culture of scientific rigour, accountability, collaboration, safety and continuous improvement.

R&D Farm and Research Leadership

• Set the RCD agenda in line with IFP Aqua Technical and business priorities. • Oversee the design, approval, execution and review of farm and hatchery trials. • Ensure research protocols, controls, data collection and documentation meet defined standards. • Translate validated findings into practical recommendations, training content and scalable operating practices. • Coordinate technical partnerships with approved universities, laboratories, research bodies and industry stakeholders.

Hatchery, Nursery and Broodstock Oversight

• Provide leadership oversight for breeding, incubation, pre-nursery rearing, packing and dispatch. • Ensure effective broodstock development, tagging, grading, pure-line maintenance and family separation. • Review production plans and critical indicators including spawning success, fertilisation, hatchability, survival and seed quality. • Ensure strong traceability, fish-health management, water-quality control and biosecurity across operations. • Drive corrective action for material production, quality, health or delivery variances.

ACE Academy and Capability Development