Lowongan Kerja Denpasar Posisi Consultant For Mud Crab Fisheries Value Chain Improvement di Blue Ventures

Location: Indonesia

Closing date for applications: 5 March 2025

Contract status: National                    

Start date: As soon as possible

Contract duration: Three months fixed-term contract 

We rebuild tropical fisheries with coastal communities

Blue Ventures develops locally-led approaches to marine management that benefit people and nature alike. By listening and responding to basic needs, we design our models to catalyse and sustain marine conservation, unlocking the potential of coastal communities to manage their resources. We work in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies and are committed to advancing the rights of small-scale fishers throughout the coastal tropics.

Project summary

Fisheries are a highly important sector for Indonesia from various perspectives, including economic, social, cultural, and national unity. This sector serves as a source of income for millions of fishers, fish farmers, fish processors, and fish traders, while also creating jobs and contributing significantly to national development.

Mangrove crabs (Scylla spp.) are one of the high-value fisheries commodities, both in local and international markets. Demand for mangrove crabs continues to rise, especially in Asian countries such as China, Singapore, and Malaysia. However, the main challenge in maintaining the market value of mangrove crabs lies in proper handling, from the catching process, and post-catch handling, to delivery to the target market. Poor handling often leads to crab mortality, stress, or a decline in meat quality, thus reducing their market value.

Quality degradation and high post-catch damage are caused by various factors, such as quality reduction due to stress and lack of oxygen, inadequate transportation conditions, limited knowledge among fishers and processors about proper post-catch handling, and high damage rates during processing and packaging.

Comprehensive training on good handling of mangrove crabs is required to address these issues. This training aims to enhance the capacity of fishers, collectors, and processors to maintain the quality of mangrove crabs, enabling them to meet the quality standards expected by the market and reduce mortality rates during handling and transportation.

As an initial step, Yayasan Hutan Biru (YHB) and Yayasan Mitra Insani (YMI), with support from Blue Ventures (BV), will receive training on proper mangrove crab handling for fishers and buyers at the village level. This training will focus on the handling process of mangrove crabs from the moment they are caught to their distribution, ensuring that the quality of mangrove crabs is optimally maintained.

Responsibilities and details of work

• Analyze the fishing methods used by fishers and provide recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mangrove crab harvesting.
• Assess the handling of mangrove crabs after they are caught, including transportation conditions and temporary storage.
• Provide training to fishers on how to handle mangrove crabs to keep them alive and healthy until they reach their destination.
• Design a storage system that keeps the mangrove crabs fresh, taking into account proper temperature, humidity, sufficient oxygen levels, and feasibility in the required locations.
• Determine the best transportation methods, including the use of ice or aeration (oxygen supply) to ensure that the mangrove crabs arrive at the market in optimal condition.
• Supervise and provide recommendations on the sorting and packing process of crabs based on size and condition to meet higher market standards.
• Identify potential damage during handling and offer solutions to reduce quality degradation.
• Analyze market demands related to the quality and specifications of crabs, then provide input to meet those demands.
• Assist in connecting fishers with potential buyers or markets that value high-quality products.
• Ensure that food safety and health standards are adhered to during the handling and shipping processes.
• Help fishers and crab handling companies comply with applicable regulations, including international standards if the target market is for export.
• Monitor the implementation of handling recommendations to ensure that the quality of crabs is maintained.
• Evaluate the results of the implementation and provide feedback for continuous improvement.

Expected deliverables

• Fishers and buyers at the village level understand proper handling of mangrove crabs, from the moment they are caught through the distribution process.
• Fishers and buyers at the village level are introduced to and receive guidelines for proper post-catch handling.
• Fishers and buyers at the village level understand the quality standards of mangrove crabs based on company/industry standards.
• Fishers and buyers at the village level understand mangrove crabs’ supply chain and value chain.
• Report and recommendations document on mud crab value chain improvement.

Timeline

A total period of no more than three months is expected to complete all the aforementioned work. It is expected to receive from the consultant a proposed schedule detailing generic deadlines and delivery dates for each report based on a three-month timeline. The final schedule and dates for this work will be agreed at the beginning of the contract. Blue Ventures will provide a specific focal point team to communicate directly with the consultant and to facilitate the execution of the present work.

Selection criteria

Interested applicants will be reviewed and a selection will be made based on the following criteria:

• Experience in carrying out value chain improvement programmes or in quality control within a fisheries industry. ·
• Experience in mud crab fisheries quality improvement.     
• Feasibility of work plan.
• Understanding of the Indonesian fisheries contexts.
• Experience with small-scale fisheries supply chains. 
• Experience engaging with small-scale fisheries and their specific challenges.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Application process

Applicants should apply by sending their proposals directly to Indah Rufiati (indah.rufiati@blueventures.org), Head of Data for Decision-Making (Indo-Pacific), by 5 March 2025.

All submission should include both a technical proposal and a statement of interest, addressing the following points. 

Technical proposal:

• A suitable plan of intended work including milestones and deliverables.
• Competencies (CVs) of the proposed individual.
• A Gantt chart showing the estimated time required for a) background research and planning; b) on-site assessment and training; and c) report, protocol and recommendations. 
• Plan of engagement with relevant local fisheries, stakeholders, and experts.

The budget for consultancy and a field visit to Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, for assessment is IDR 65,000,000 (including taxes).

Field trip for training: 

One visit to conduct the training in Pontianak will be covered by Blue Ventures.

Opportunities to discuss with client and partner bodies

In order that there is a clear understanding of the specifications described, it is intended that all contractors who express interest in tendering shall have the opportunity to discuss the work specifications with Blue Ventures. To do so, phone calls could be organised. For the sake of transparency and equality, any specific questions and responses on the specification will be copied to all potential contractors. All queries and questions should be sent to Indah Rufiati. 

We reserve the right to not accept any tenders following submission. The assessment process is confidential and will take place within 20 days from the submission deadline. Following assessment of the submitted tenders the client may approach any contractor and request them to provide further supporting information as required.

How to Apply

Please email your CV and Technical Proposal to indah.rufiati@blueventures.org

with the subject ( Consultant Mud Crab_ Your Name)