Research Knowledge and Data Manager

Job Description

The purpose of this role is to provide leadership of the Research Data Management (RDM) system within WorldFish and the FISH CRP, ensuring compliance with CGIAR and funders’ Open Access (OA) and open data requirements, acting as contact point for the CGIAR Big Data platform and supporting development and sustainability of high quality research data management and analytical services for WorldFish and FISH research programs at global and country levels. In addition, this role is designed to facilitate a collective effort across the research community to support efforts to increase the findability, accessibility, visibility, and usability of research outputs generated by WorldFish and FISH scientists and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a research data management improvement program within WorldFish, including research protocols, data management policies and plans, data ownership, storage and sharing.
• Collaborate with scientists within WorldFish and the FISH CRP, including partners, to facilitate a process of improved data collection, data storage, metadata, open access and open data, increasing accessibility and visibility of scientific outputs generated by WorldFish and its partners globally.
• Lead a research data and analysis team, including specialists involved with GIS, mobile technologies, open access/open data repository management, and database development in support of WorldFish research.
• Lead an initiative to bring all WorldFish data collection onto mobile platforms.
• Be an active focal point and represent WorldFish and/or the FISH CRP in relevant CGIAR and CGIAR-related Research Data Management (RDM) fora, including Open Access (OA) and data management.
• Develop a program of work to increase WorldFish/FISH CRP’s partnerships and utilisation of Big Data in research.
• Oversee, facilitate implementation and advocate for the Research Data Management (RDM) and Open Access (OA) policies within WorldFish, including leading a Research Data Management (RDM) and Open Access (OA) working group and/or community of practice within WorldFish.
• Identify, organise, and lead training and awareness raising events to build capacity within WorldFish and partners to implement Research Data Management (RDM), Open Access (OA), open data, and increase understanding of the FAIR Principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Re-Usability).
• Help bring about internal organizational culture changes needed to foster a culture of knowledge and data sharing.
• Travel to WorldFish/FISH focal and scaling countries as needed to support countries implement Research Data Management (RDM) and Open Access (OA).

Candidate are sought

• A professional degree in related fields, e.g. knowledge management, communication sciences, Computer Science, Business or related discipline with knowledge of aquaculture and/or fisheries.
• At least 5-7 years’ experience in practical application in research of GIS, big data or other research data tools with good leadership and mentoring skills.
• International experience, especially environment or sustainable development work in developing countries.
• Ability to lead and facilitate discussions among researchers and management in shaping and implementing plans for improved research data management across the organization.
• Ability to build and foster partnerships within the CGIAR as well as public and private sector partners.
• Excellent communication in English, both verbal and written and presentation skills for work in diverse locations and context and ability to communicate effectively at all levels and in multi-cultural settings.
• Excellent knowledge of MS 365 office applications, mobile and virtual office tools.

Skills Requirements

• Experience working with metadata standards, controlled vocabularies and ontologies such as AGROVOC, and/or metadata crosswalks plus demonstrated experience working with interoperable, standards-compliant open access repositories such as DSpace, EPrints, Invenio, Dataverse, BioMart, or CKAN.
• Familiar working with mobile data collection tools such as Open Data Kit (ODK) or KoBoToolbox and familiar with using statistical software packages such as R, SPSS, and/or SAS.

• Broad understanding of current and emerging issues in scholarly communication including measuring the impact of open access to publications and data; emerging standards and protocols such as Linked Open Data (LOD) or semantic web technologies; and new tools for repositories such as ORCID, altmetrics, and DataCite.
• Broad understanding of data management issues including: mobile data collection, data analysis, data integration, long term data storage and preservation, data quality, and publicly-disseminating datasets.
• Broad understanding of research funders’ open access, public access, open data, and data stewardship requirements.

Salary & Benefits

This position is open to both national and international applicants. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with the position level.

Our offer

The position will be based in Penang, Malaysia. The initial employment contract will be for a 3-year period, with possibility for renewal. Interviews are expected to be held in November and December 2017, and shortlisted candidate will be expected to attend. The successful candidate should be available to commence latest by January 2018. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Our commitment

WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity of thought, style, culture and experience is valued. We support individual performance and potential in achieving our organizational goals and mission. We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage women and nationals from developing countries to apply.

How to apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online here latest by 25 November 2017:

• A cover letter including a 2-page (max) description of why you are an ideal candidate and what you would bring to the role.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• Names and contacts (telephone, fax, and e-mail addresses) of three professional referees who are familiar with your qualifications and work experience. Your nominated referees ideally should have persons from each of the following category: direct supervisor, internal peer and/or direct report.

Screening will start immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About the Organization

WorldFish is an international, nonprofit research organization that harnesses the potential of fisheries and aquaculture to strengthen livelihoods and improve food and nutrition security. Globally, more than 1 billion people obtain most of their animal protein from fish and 800 million depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. WorldFish is a member of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.