The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, continues to invest in Kenya’s aquaculture sector through impactful programs such as the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP). A recent addition to this endeavor is the NORAD-funded initiative titled “Advancing Resilient and Nutrition-sensitive Smallholder Aquaculture” (ARNSA), a project designed to complement the existing activities of ABDP by addressing gaps in youth engagement, capacity development, and nutritional sustainability.
The ARNSA project is tailored toward reducing rural poverty, enhancing food security, and promoting nutrition through a sustainable and inclusive aquaculture industry in Kenya. As part of its efforts to build long-term sectoral resilience, the project has introduced a dynamic internship program targeting recent graduates who have specialized in aquaculture and related fields.
This internship presents a timely opportunity for young Kenyans seeking to apply their academic knowledge in real-life aquaculture settings. The program offers structured learning, professional mentorship, and business development training, with the goal of producing a new generation of aquaculture leaders equipped with both technical and entrepreneurial competencies.
Programme Background and Objectives
The ARNSA project is an expansion of the IFAD-supported ABDP framework, aiming to support vulnerable rural communities by creating viable economic opportunities through aquaculture. The additional financing from NORAD is intended to bolster the capacity of young graduates, empower them through skill acquisition, and contribute to job creation within the aquaculture value chain.
One of the central objectives of the internship programme is to provide hands-on experience to graduates who have recently completed relevant academic programs. The goal is to enhance their employability while contributing to the productivity and sustainability of host institutions. The interns will engage with diverse actors in the aquaculture sector, ranging from government departments and research bodies to private farms and community-based organizations.
Scope of the Internship Programme
The internship programme spans six months and is carefully structured to provide technical exposure, industry insights, and entrepreneurial development. During their placement, interns will operate under supervision in various aquaculture-related organizations, where they will be exposed to practical tasks aligned with their academic training.
Each intern will be required to produce a concept note and a business plan during the internship period. These documents will form the basis of a broader professional development framework, helping interns to define their long-term goals and explore opportunities for self-employment in the sector.
Key Roles and Responsibilities of Interns
Interns selected under this programme will perform a broad range of responsibilities depending on their placement. The following job description outlines the main tasks expected from each intern:
1. Aquaculture Production Support
- Engage in daily operations at aquaculture farms, including feeding, water quality checks, disease surveillance, and harvesting.
- Participate in pond preparation, cage installation, stocking, and maintenance of fish farming units.
- Assist in fingerling production, broodstock selection, and fish breeding programs.
- Monitor growth performance and prepare production records under guidance from farm supervisors.
2. Community Extension and Farmer Support
- Work alongside aquaculture extension officers to provide technical guidance to smallholder fish farmers.
- Facilitate farmer training sessions on best management practices (BMPs), environmental sustainability, and nutrition-sensitive aquaculture.
- Support farmer field schools, community-based demonstrations, and farmer feedback collection.
- Assist in linking farmers to input suppliers, service providers, and output markets.
3. Data Management and Research
- Collect field-level data including biometric records, environmental parameters, and socio-economic indicators.
- Participate in research projects related to fish nutrition, disease control, genetics, or breeding programs in collaboration with academic and research institutions.
- Assist in the documentation of research findings, technical reports, and knowledge dissemination materials.
- Contribute to pilot studies and technology trials to assess the viability of innovations within smallholder aquaculture.
4. Business Planning and Enterprise Development
- Assist host organizations and individual farmers in developing aquaculture business plans.
- Engage in value chain analysis and participate in activities geared toward market access and enterprise development.
- Collaborate in the design of financial models to evaluate profitability, return on investment, and business scalability.
- Identify gaps in the aquaculture value chain and propose business solutions aimed at improving efficiency and value addition.
5. Program Administration and Stakeholder Engagement
- Prepare reports, meeting notes, and support logistical arrangements for field activities and stakeholder consultations.
- Support the coordination of local events, exhibitions, and training workshops related to aquaculture development.
- Assist in maintaining communication between farmers, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.
- Engage in policy discussions and knowledge exchange forums as organized by the hosting institutions or ABDP project team.
Required Qualifications and Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the internship, candidates must satisfy the following minimum criteria:
- Must be a Kenyan citizen residing in the country.
- Should be between 18 and 35 years of age.
- Must be a graduate who has completed a relevant degree program within the past three (3) years from a recognized institution.
- Must be currently unemployed and not previously exposed to formal work experience related to their field of study.
- Academic qualifications must be in one or more of the following disciplines:
- Fisheries
- Aquaculture
- Aquatic Sciences
- Environmental Science (related to aquatic ecosystems)
- Agribusiness with an aquaculture focus
- Marine Biology or other relevant fields along the aquaculture value chain
- Must possess theoretical knowledge and competencies applicable to aquaculture productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
- Should demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
- Must submit a concept note outlining their career aspirations in aquaculture.
- Should be willing to prepare a detailed business plan during the internship period as a requirement of the programme.
- Priority will be given to young women and persons living with disabilities.
- Willingness to work in rural aquaculture establishments is mandatory, as placements will primarily be outside urban centers.
Value Proposition of the Internship Programme
The internship programme is designed to be more than a temporary assignment. It is a transformative opportunity that provides numerous personal and professional development benefits, including:
- Practical Experience: Interns will acquire essential field skills in hatchery management, pond farming, feed formulation, and disease control.
- Business Acumen: Through the business planning component, interns will gain the tools necessary to launch their own enterprises or support existing ones.
- Mentorship: Interns will receive guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals, researchers, and development partners working in aquaculture.
- Networking Opportunities: Participation in sectoral events, workshops, and stakeholder meetings will allow interns to build lasting relationships with industry players.
- Enhanced Employability: The blend of technical, administrative, and entrepreneurial skills gained during the internship increases the intern’s marketability to potential employers.
- Pathway to Entrepreneurship: With a final business plan and understanding of value chain dynamics, interns are positioned to start aquaculture ventures that address key sectoral gaps.
Intern Placement and Support
Interns will be placed in diverse institutions involved in aquaculture development including:
- Public institutions such as County Fisheries Departments
- Private sector aquaculture companies
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Hatcheries, feed manufacturing firms, and fish processing plants
- Academic and research institutions conducting aquaculture innovation studies
- Farmer cooperatives and youth-led aquaculture enterprises
The program ensures a balanced placement strategy to provide exposure to both technical and market-driven environments.
Expectations from Interns
Each intern is expected to:
- Commit to the full six-month duration of the internship
- Submit a concept note and develop a business plan as part of their personal growth
- Engage actively in host institution activities and comply with professional conduct
- Submit a monthly progress report and a final internship report documenting their achievements and lessons learned
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above criteria are required to apply online through the official ABDP career portal.
Applicants should carefully follow the instructions on the portal and ensure all supporting documents are uploaded before submission. No hard copy applications will be accepted.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submission of applications is:
Friday, 25th April 2025
Late applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for placement and orientation.
This internship programme is a rare opportunity for motivated young Kenyans to contribute to the transformation of Kenya’s aquaculture sector while building a strong foundation for a rewarding career. The support, knowledge, and networks offered through the ARNSA internship are invaluable for any graduate seeking to make a difference in one of the country’s most promising agricultural sub-sectors.
Through your participation, you will not only gain skills but also contribute to food security, rural employment, and sustainable livelihoods. If you have the passion, commitment, and vision to thrive in aquaculture, then this internship is for you.
