20 Aquaculture Internship Opportunities for Youth Graduates – Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs

20 Aquaculture Internship Opportunities for Youth Graduates – Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Apply by April 25, 2025)

ESSENTIAL JOB DETAILS

• Position Title: Aquaculture Intern

• Number of Positions: 20

• Location: Rural Aquaculture Establishments Across Kenya

• Type of Opportunity: Full-Time Internship (6 Months)

• Job Category: Agriculture, Blue Economy, Aquaculture, Youth Empowerment

• Eligible Candidates: Recent Graduates (18–35 Years Old)

• Implementing Partners: Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs – State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy; IFAD; NORAD

• Application Deadline: Friday, 25th April 2025

INTRODUCTION

Are you a recent graduate with a passion for fisheries, aquaculture, or aquatic sciences? Do you want to gain valuable hands-on experience in a high-growth, high-impact sector shaping the future of Kenya’s Blue Economy?

The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs – State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and with additional support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), invites applications from young Kenyan graduates for a structured 6-month aquaculture internship under the Advancing Resilient and Nutrition-sensitive Smallholder Aquaculture (ARNSA) Project.

This unique opportunity is designed to empower the next generation of aquaculture professionals by providing practical work experience, technical mentoring, and entrepreneurial exposure within Kenya’s aquaculture value chain. The selected interns will be deployed across rural aquaculture establishments in Kenya to gain critical experience, contribute to development goals, and define their career trajectory in this vibrant sector.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

The Aquaculture Internship Program under the ARNSA-NORAD Grant is an initiative of the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) that aims to nurture youth leadership, technical proficiency, and entrepreneurial capacity in aquaculture.

The overarching goal is to develop skilled, business-oriented aquaculture graduates who can:

• Enhance productivity in aquaculture establishments.

• Support sustainable and nutrition-sensitive fish production.

• Build resilience among smallholder aquaculture communities.

• Become future leaders, researchers, and innovators in the Blue Economy.

The program will offer a structured 6-month placement for 20 selected youth. Interns will receive hands-on training, mentorship, and guidance to develop business plans, improve aquaculture operations, and boost their employability.

ABOUT THE ARNSA PROJECT AND PARTNERS

ARNSA (Advancing Resilient and Nutrition-sensitive Smallholder Aquaculture) is a NORAD-funded extension to the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), which is jointly implemented by the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Key implementing partners include:

• Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs

• State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy

• IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

• NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation)

Together, these institutions aim to reduce rural poverty, improve food and nutrition security, and expand youth participation in aquaculture-based livelihoods. The ARNSA initiative builds on ABDP’s work by supporting climate-smart, gender-inclusive, and market-oriented aquaculture growth.

KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The internship has been designed to meet the following objectives:

• Provide technical aquaculture training and work experience to recent graduates.

• Facilitate the development of entrepreneurial and agribusiness skills.

• Support smallholder aquaculture operations with professional human capital.

• Enhance the employability and self-reliance of youth in the Blue Economy.

• Contribute to data collection, innovation, and productivity improvement in the field.

• Promote gender equality and inclusion of youth with disabilities in the sector.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF INTERNS

Interns selected for this program will be expected to:

• Support daily operations in aquaculture farms, hatcheries, or processing facilities.

• Assist with feeding, water quality monitoring, stock management, and disease prevention.

• Work closely with aquaculture extension officers and farm owners.

• Develop a detailed business plan during the internship.

• Submit progress reports, activity logs, and a final internship report.

• Participate in field research, data collection, and case studies where applicable.

• Contribute to knowledge-sharing forums and peer-to-peer learning.

• Comply with ethical standards, safety protocols, and reporting guidelines set by the host organization.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for this internship, applicants must meet all the following criteria:

1. Be a Kenyan citizen and resident in the country.

2. Be between 18 and 35 years of age.

3. Be currently unemployed and have completed their degree program within the last 3 years.

4. Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following areas:

• Fisheries
• Aquaculture
• Aquatic Sciences
• Or other relevant disciplines in the aquaculture value chain

1. Have no previous work experience related to their area of study.

2. Possess a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and technical competencies in aquaculture practices.

3. Be willing to relocate to rural areas and work in aquaculture establishments as assigned.

4. Demonstrate effective interpersonal, teamwork, and communication skills.

5. Be prepared to write a concept note and develop a business plan during the internship.

6. Applications from young women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS

Selected interns will:

• Gain hands-on aquaculture experience in real-world settings.

• Receive technical mentoring and business development coaching.

• Develop job-ready skills and build strong professional networks.

• Learn about nutrition-sensitive production models.

• Acquire experience in field-level project implementation.

• Improve their prospects for employment or self-employment in the aquaculture sector.

• Participate in structured career guidance and skills enhancement workshops.

• Produce a bankable business plan aligned to real market needs and best practices.

LOCATIONS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Interns will be deployed across select aquaculture enterprises situated in rural counties. Specific placements will be communicated to successful applicants. Interns must be willing to:

• Live and work in rural areas.

• Adjust to varying environmental and infrastructure conditions.

• Maintain professional conduct and discipline throughout the internship.

• Respect host organizations’ rules and contribute meaningfully to their operations.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All interested candidates must submit their application online via the official portal. The application must include:

• Personal and academic information

• Proof of graduation (within the last 3 years)

• Motivation and interest in aquaculture

• A concept note outlining future career goals in the aquaculture sector

🡺 Apply Online via the ABDP Career Portal

Deadline for Submission: Friday, 25th April 2025

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR APPLICANTS

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• This internship is non-renewable and limited to six months.

• No monetary compensation or salary is guaranteed under this program; however, interns may receive stipends or support depending on host institutions.

• Upon completion, interns will be issued a certificate of participation.

• Successful completion may increase the intern’s competitiveness for jobs or funding in aquaculture and related sectors.

• Selection will consider regional balance, gender equity, and disability inclusion.

IMPLEMENTING INSTITUTIONS & FUNDING

This internship is supported under the ARNSA project, implemented through:

• The Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP)

• State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy

• Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs

• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

• The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)

The initiative is funded through IFAD Loan No. 2000002052 and targets counties where aquaculture is a strategic livelihood and development sector.

ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT

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