The African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET) has opened a call for Volunteer Regional Coordinators to support data collection for its 10-Year Assessment Survey. The initiative offers women across Africa an opportunity to contribute to research that will evaluate the network's impact on women's fisheries organizations over the past decade.

The assessment is being conducted in collaboration with researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), USA, and aims to generate evidence that will help strengthen women's participation and leadership within Africa's fisheries sector.

About the Assessment

Over the last ten years, AWFISHNET has supported women involved in fish processing, trading, and fisheries governance across the continent. The new assessment seeks to examine the network's achievements, partnerships, and relationship with its national member organizations.

The study has received ethical approval from the Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board (IRB Protocol #26-299) and will be conducted through an online survey available in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic.

Role of the Volunteer Regional Coordinators

Successful applicants will coordinate the online survey process within one of Africa's five regions. Although the role is voluntary and unpaid, it provides valuable experience in regional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and research data collection.

Regional Coordinators will be responsible for:

• Coordinating survey implementation within their assigned region.
• Communicating with national AWFISHNET chapters to encourage participation.
• Following up with chapter leaders to ensure timely completion of the online survey.
• Working closely with the AWFISHNET Secretariat and the Virginia Tech research team.
• Helping achieve the target number of survey responses from participating countries.
• Supporting participants in accessing the survey in their preferred language.

Regional Coverage

The survey will be conducted simultaneously across the continent, covering the following regions:

• East Africa
• West Africa
• Central Africa
• North Africa
• Southern Africa

Each region will include five participating countries, with a target of five women respondents per country.

Duration

The assignment will be completed over one week, with all regional coordinators beginning the data collection exercise simultaneously. Throughout the process, participants will receive guidance and support from the AWFISHNET Secretariat and the Virginia Tech research team.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit an expression of interest by email, indicating:

• The African region they wish to coordinate.
• A brief summary of their relevant experience and motivation.

Email - info@awfishnet.org

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is Monday, 6 July 2026, at 5:00 PM GMT.