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
1. 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
2. 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
3. Provide the Project Lead, Steering Group, and funder with progress, budget, and monitoring reports as required
4. 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
5. Manage calls for fundable research projects from international and national organisations, including review and selection procedures
6. In collaboration with the Research Innovation and Business Engagement Team, conduct due diligence on partner organisations selected for funding
7. Work with the Contracts team to create suitable contracts for managing partner-led research through sub-awards or supplier agreements
8. Monitor and report on progress, taking action to ensure deliverables are met, validated, and invoices properly raised and evidenced
9. Build strong working relationships with academic and administrative staff of partner organisations to identify and resolve issues promptly
10. Participate in capacity building by developing and delivering strategies for information sharing, coordination, and collaboration among partner organisations and sub-projects
11. 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
12. 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
13. Lead development of branding and promotion strategy for the Project and Network, ensuring regular press releases, blog articles, videos, and social media content
14. 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
15. Work with the Project Lead to implement team management systems, including meetings, communication, and documentation of decisions, actions, and outcomes
16. Provide management and administrative support to the Project Research Coordinator
17. Where appropriate, represent the project leadership at local, national, and international meetings and events, including in Asia
18. Support the Project Lead and academic staff in developing and writing future related project proposals
Essential Criteria
19. Degree level qualification or equivalent education
20. Highly developed interpersonal skills necessary to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of colleagues across academic institutions and industry
21. Excellent project management skills, and experience of managing large projects, preferably in a research or higher education setting and with international partners including those from Southeast Asia
22. Availability to make regular visits to Asia of up to 10 days duration
23. Excellent skills in communicating effectively at all levels, both orally and in writing, with the ability to communicate using a wide range of styles appropriate to different individuals, groups and situations
24. Excellent initiative, negotiation, persuasion and problem-solving skills and the ability to develop and implement solutions
25. Proven experience working with international partners
26. Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy and within specified deadlines
27. Proven ability to:
28. Demonstrate an understanding of complex business, research and policy requirements and the priorities of different stakeholders
29. Work autonomously and effectively organise workload
30. Analyse and provide reports from data
31. Contribute to productive team working
32. IT skills, including proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 and social media
Desirable Criteria
33. Professional training in project management, ideally a formal project management qualification, such as PRINCE 2
34. Capacity to use grant management software such as
35. Educated to post graduate level in a relevant subject area
36. Working in a similar role in higher education, research organisation or industry.
37. Work experience in Asia, particularly Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia
38. Marketing experience
Additional Information
Part time (80%FTE)
Fixed term until 31 July 2028
£47,389 - £56,535 p.a. pro-rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 03 December 2025.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible depending on candidate circumstances under SOC Code 2440
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
39. Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
40. Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
41. Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
42. Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
43. Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
44. Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
45. Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
46. Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
47. Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.