The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO) has announced a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) to recruit a Procurement Specialist for the Maldives Fish Sector Capacity Strengthening Project, a USD70.42 million initiative jointly funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Government.

The project, financed through an instalment sale and grant arrangement, aims to strengthen the country’s fisheries sector through major infrastructure and technological upgrades. The selected specialist will oversee procurement-related activities in accordance with IsDB procurement guidelines and national regulations.

According to the Government Gazette, the consultancy will run for 15 months starting 1 July 2025 and requires an estimated 250 input days. The assignment includes tasks such as preparing a procurement plan, managing bidding processes, evaluating bids, negotiating contracts, and supporting contract management.

Applicants must be nationals of IsDB member countries and meet specific qualification criteria. These include a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a master’s degree in economics, finance, law, business, or a related field. Candidates must have at least 10 years of professional experience, including a minimum of five years in procurement for multilateral development bank-funded projects. A recognised procurement certification, such as CIPS or an equivalent, is required.

The deadline for submitting EoIs, CVs, and supporting documents is April 28, 2025. Submissions may be sent via email to [email protected] or delivered in person to MIFCO’s office in Malé.

The broader project involves several large-scale developments, including:

MIFCO said the Hulhumalé facility will be built to international standards and will significantly boost value-added fish exports. The project also includes a digital platform for fishermen and training programmes for MIFCO staff, with the overall goal of increasing productivity and contributing to the national economy.