Project Director | International Development & Sustainable Aquaculture

Job Summary

FishWise is seeking a strategic, adaptive, and impact-driven Project Director to lead a  30-month international development project focused on smallholder shrimp farmers and their communities in Andhra Pradesh, India. Continued employment beyond the 30-month project period would be contingent on continued funding and organizational needs.

Reporting to the Executive Deputy Director, this regular, full-time, remote, US-based position will lead the implementation of a complex multi-partner initiative designed to advance environmental, economic, and social outcomes through community-centered collaboration and sustainable aquaculture practices. The role requires strong project leadership, cross-cultural relationship management, operational coordination, and the ability to navigate dynamic field conditions and international partnerships.

The position requires up to 30% domestic and international travel, primarily to India, with quieter periods interspersed with times of more frequent travel, including periodic travel to remote field locations in Andhra Pradesh.

The expected pay range for this position is $74,000 to $87,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location. 

About FishWise

FishWise envisions a thriving, sustainable seafood industry that supports the health and recovery of ocean ecosystems and the people who depend on them. FishWise partners with the seafood industry to improve environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and traceability throughout global seafood supply chains.

FishWise is a collaborative, mission-driven organization made up of people who care deeply about meaningful impact, strong relationships, thoughtful problem-solving, and continuous learning. Employees work closely across teams and programs, bringing a high level of professionalism, curiosity, and shared commitment to advancing responsible business practices in the seafood industry.

About the Role

This project, Sahakaramn tho Parishkaram: Mana Royya Mana Bhoomi Mana Niru “Solutions with Cooperation: Our Shrimp, Our Land, Our Water”, uses a community-centered approach to support environmental, economic, and social improvements driven by farmer-defined priorities.

As the primary point of accountability for the project, the Project Director will oversee implementation across a complex network of partners, consultants, subgrantees, and stakeholders. This role combines strategic leadership, relationship management, operational coordination, and field engagement in support of sustainable aquaculture practices and long-term partner capacity-building.

The ideal candidate is highly collaborative, comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity, and experienced working across cross-cultural, multi-stakeholder, and community-centered environments.

This role will also play an important part in strengthening local leadership capacity and supporting the long-term transition of implementation leadership to India-based partners.

What You’ll Do

• Lead implementation of a multi-partner international development project focused on sustainable shrimp aquaculture in Andhra Pradesh, India
• Coordinate project planning, implementation timelines, partner alignment, budgets, reporting, and risk mitigation activities
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local partners, consultants, NGOs, industry stakeholders, and community representatives
• Support local capacity-building efforts and help strengthen long-term leadership and implementation structures in India
• Identify operational challenges and develop practical, adaptive solutions that maintain project momentum and accountability
• Coordinate across FishWise teams and programs to support alignment, communication, and knowledge sharing
• Support monitoring, evaluation, learning, and knowledge management activities, including tracking project outcomes and documenting lessons learned
• Lead or support workshops, trainings, stakeholder meetings, and collaborative planning processes
• Contribute to technical resources, donor communications, presentations, reports, and learning materials for a range of audiences
• Represent FishWise in external meetings, workshops, donor discussions, and cross-sector collaborations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7–9 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree and 6–8 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including experience managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously
• Experience coordinating across cross-functional, international, and multi-stakeholder environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, including the ability to work effectively across cultures and sectors
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, solve problems, and adapt effectively in dynamic environments
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to India and work periodically in remote field settings

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in international development, sustainability, seafood supply chains, aquaculture, or community-based programming
• Familiarity with systems thinking, participatory approaches, capacity-building, or community-led development
• Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities, applied research, or data collection efforts
• Experience facilitating trainings, workshops, or multi-stakeholder engagement processes

Work Environment and Travel

This is a fully remote position based in the United States and is primarily performed in a standard home office environment, except during periods of travel and field-based project work. In addition to periodic organizational travel, this role requires up to 30% domestic and international travel, primarily to India, with quieter periods interspersed with times of more frequent travel, including travel within Andhra Pradesh to support project implementation, partner coordination, stakeholder engagement, and field-based activities.

The role involves regular collaboration with teams and partners in India, including availability for meetings that overlap with Indian Standard Time.

Travel associated with this position may include extended international flights, travel to remote field locations, and visits to shrimp farming communities, hatcheries, processors, and related project sites. Field work may involve hot, humid, wet, muddy, or otherwise physically challenging environmental conditions. Candidates must be comfortable traveling to and working periodically in these environments.

Compensation and Benefits

FishWise offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Matching retirement contributions
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Professional development support
• A collaborative and mission-driven remote work environment

Additional Information

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain any required travel documentation, including a visa for India, within the first three months of employment.

A full job description will be shared with candidates who move forward in the interview process.

FishWise is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, services, programs, and activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

FishWise seeks talented people of all backgrounds. We value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender identities and expressions, perspectives, and abilities. Candidates who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, bilingual or multilingual, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

We are interested in working with people who have different types of experience and backgrounds. If you don’t see the opportunity you are looking for, please submit a general application. Apply