Masiliso Phiri
Mpulungu
Summary
Experienced Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist with a strong background in sustainable fisheries management, fish value chain assessments, research, data analysis, co-management, and project management in both public and private sectors. Skilled in R statistical computing and Geographic Information Systems. Demonstrated track record of leading research, implementing policy, and fostering eco-friendly practices through collaborative partnerships to improve food security and biodiversity.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
National Professional Officer
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
03.2022 - Current
- Prepares and executes the FISH4ACP annual country level work plan and budget and oversees the preparation of the country level value chain work plan and budget
- Develops and maintains partnerships with country and regional stakeholders who can contribute to achieving FISH4ACP value chain objectives;
- Collaborates closely with consultants (national and international) responsible for value chain project tasks and ensures the implementation of a sustainable systems-based value chain approach;
- Coordinates, collates and analyses quarterly value chain progress reports from the value chain task forces to gauge the impact of FISH4ACP interventions;
- Coordinates the knowledge sharing emerging from the value chain to ensure information is widely disseminated within the FISH4ACP project and externally;
- Organizes in-person and virtual trainings for fishers and fish farmers/stakeholders with subject matter experts to increase their market readiness and success;
- Identifies challenges and bottlenecks in various fisheries and aquaculture value chains nodes in the country and informs the FAO Representative to better inform, advocacy, decision and policy dialogue;
- Promotes and stimulates the involvement of fisher and fish worker organizations, including women’s organizations, so that they are empowered to take part in relevant decision-making processes and promote their capacity to enhance their income and livelihood security, as well as marketing mechanisms;
- Connects fishers, fish farmers and other relevant stakeholders with local/regional and international experts and resources to help them troubleshoot issues;
- Leads the regular monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the programme, at country level, throughout the project duration, including the selection of value chain-specific indicators, as well as the regular reporting of progress to the CTA;
Principal Fisheries Officer
Department Of Fisheries
09.2019 - 02.2022
- Supervised effectively enforcement of fisheries regulations in order to conserve fish resources.
- Oversaw the timely transfer of relevant fishing technologies and practices to fisher communities in order to improve fishing industries.
- Managed annual registration and licensing of boats and fishers in order to regulate fishing.
- Organized timely implementation of research protocols in order to generate appropriate technologies for fisher communities.
- Coordinated timely preparation of annual, quarterly and monthly budgets in order to facilitate acquisition of finances from Government and donor agencies.
- Collaborated with law enforcement, security agencies, traditional leaders and local Fisheries Management Committees in order to promote sustainable fisheries.
- Confiscated prohibited fishing gear during routine inspections of boats and fishing campsites.
- Provided extension services and knowledge of fish farming and cage culture to fishing communities to reduce dependency on wild fish stocks.
- Provided knowledge of effects of climate change through trainings on Climate-Smart Aquaculture and climate-smart fish species as well as knowledge on invasive fish species.
District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
02.2016 - 09.2019
- Ensured effective interpretation and implementation of fisheries and livestock policies in order to achieve Ministerial objectives.
- Coordinated effective collaboration with other institutions and stakeholders such as Agriculture, Forestry and Community Development to highlight Ministerial co-functions.
- Managed timely provision of technical and specialized services to fisheries and livestock farmers such as good breeds of fish and livestock according to farm area in order to enhance productivity.
- Ensured effective registration and training of fishing and livestock cooperatives in order to facilitate their participation in agricultural development.
- Coordinated timely preparation of annual budgets in order to facilitate acquisition of financial resources from Government and donor funders.
- Effectively developed departmental and individual work plans in order to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of performance among staff.
Fisheries Research Officer
Department of Fisheries
10.2011 - 02.2016
- Designed laboratory experiments to test theories concerning such rare fish species of Labeo altivelis and Distichodus maculatus in Lake Mweru.
- Provided recommendations on application of environmental laws to protect fish breeding areas for fishing communities.
- Collaborated with stakeholders and fisher communities to identify new methods to establish distribution of invasive species such as Parachanna obscura.
- Analyzed stock assessment data from Gill net surveys, Catch Assessment Surveys and Frame Surveys to determine appropriate ways to protect fisheries ecosystems.
- Handled fish specimens and conducted tests according to established protocols, keeping efficient records on all experiments.
- Oversaw field and laboratory projects from concept through completion for team of 5 staff members.
- Performed as subject matter expert on Lake Mweru at conferences and events to promote interest in endemic fish species.
Laboratory Scientist
Macha Research Trust
05.2009 - 10.2011
- Conduct Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reactions (RT-PCRs) for detection of transmissible stages of malaria parasites in asymptomatic individuals.
- Processed patient specimens according to priority and documented results.
- Recorded, reported and posted test results using Epi Info
- Kept laboratory in compliance with all applicable guidelines and laws.
- Prepared samples for shipping and disposed of bodily fluids in proper containers.
- Maintained strict aseptic fields when collecting biological samples, minimizing staff and patient infection risks.
- Attended the 59th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) conference in 2010 for poster presentation.
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Science
Hokkaido University
Sapporo03.2019
Bachelor of Science - Ecology
University of Zambia
Lusaka07.2008
O'level Certificate - High School Subjects
St. Mary’s Secondary School
Lusaka12.2001
Primary Certificate - Elementary Subjects
Lusaka Girls Primary School
Lusaka12.1997
Skills
- Collaborative stakeholder relations
- Effective problem resolution
- Strong interpersonal abilities
- Versatile in dynamic environments
- Data interpretation and reporting
- Project planning
- Effective academic presentations
- Comprehensive literature reviews
- Project coordination
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- GIS Applications in Fisheries (8th March 2024)
- Capacity Enhancement for Government Officials of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in Zambia (8-12th November 2021)
- Sustainable Fish Farming (17th June to 22 July 2021)
- Laboratory Short course on Stable Isotopes (22-26th October 2018)
Hokkaido University, Graduate School of Environmental Science (Certificate)
- JICA Group Training in Yokohama, Japan (January-March 2015)
Gender and small-scale fisheries entrepreneurship for fishing development community (Certificate)
- Global Health eLearning Center (17th December 2011)
M & E Fundamentals (Certificate)
Publications/Manuscripts
- The Lake Tanganyika sprat and sardine value chain in Zambia (2024). Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
- Trophic interactions revealed by stable isotope analysis in a Lake Mweru nearshore food web, Zambia (Conference poster, 2nd Philippine Symposium on Freshwater Biodiversity and Ecosystems, 2018, 1st Author)
- Characteristics of sub patent malaria in a pre-elimination setting in Southern Zambia (2018). The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 100 (2)
- An illustrative guide to the distribution and abundance of the snakehead fish (Parachanna obscura) in the Mweru-Luapula fishery. (Conference abstract, Marine and Freshwater Invasive Species Conference, 2014)
- The predictive value of Rapid-Diagnostic Tests for gematocytemia identified by RT-PCR (2010). The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Conference poster, 1st Author)
Conferences
1. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting, Atlanta, United States, 2010.
2. Marine and Freshwater Invasive Species: Ecology, Impact and Management, Bueno Aries, Argentina, 2016.
3. The 2nd Philippine Symposium of Freshwater Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Quezon City, Philippines, 2018.
4. The 9th World Fisheries Congress, Seattle, Washington, United States of America, 2024.
5. The FISH4ACP Blue Food Forum, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2024.
Hobbies
- Reading, Music, Travelling
Languages
- English (Fluent), Zambian Local language
References
1. Martinus Van Der Knaap
Senior Fisheries Advisor
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Telephone: +254111332673, Email: martinus.vanderknaap@fao.org
2. Disa Vurdem
Programme and Operations Specialist
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Rome, Italy
Telephone: +90(554)5151007, Email: disa.vurdem@fao.org
3. Junjiro Negishi
Associate Professor
Faculty of Environmental Earth Science
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Telephone: +81 011-706-2210, Email: negishi@ees.hokudai.ac.jp
Timeline
National Professional Officer
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
03.2022 - Current
Principal Fisheries Officer
Department Of Fisheries
09.2019 - 02.2022
District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
02.2016 - 09.2019
Fisheries Research Officer
Department of Fisheries
10.2011 - 02.2016
Laboratory Scientist
Macha Research Trust
05.2009 - 10.2011
Master of Science - Environmental Science
Hokkaido University
Bachelor of Science - Ecology
University of Zambia
O'level Certificate - High School Subjects
St. Mary’s Secondary School
Primary Certificate - Elementary Subjects
Lusaka Girls Primary School
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