Job Title: Hatchery Foreman (5 Vacancies)

Department: Hatchery
Reports to: Hatchery Manager
Location: Gisagara – Kigembe

Compensation: Commensurate with experience
Start Date: As soon as possible

About Kivu Choice

Kivu Choice is the largest aquaculture production and distribution platform in Rwanda and the fastest-growing fish farm in Africa. Founded in late 2021, the company currently produces over 5 million fish meals per year and is on track to produce over 50 million meals annually by 2027.

We operate across Rwanda, with farms in Gisagara and Nyamasheke, branches and logistics centers across the Kivu Belt and Kigali, and export sales into the DRC. Our mission is to become the most affordable, sustainable, and accessible protein source in the region.

About the Role

As a Hatchery Foreman at Kivu Choice Ltd, you will play a key role in managing daily hatchery operations to ensure the production of high-quality fingerlings. You will supervise hatchery staff, monitor environmental and water conditions, maintain biosecurity, and manage fish health and breeding processes.

You will work closely with the Hatchery Manager and cross-functional teams to achieve production targets while upholding operational excellence and fish welfare standards.

Key Responsibilities

Incubation

• Ensure eggs are disinfected before incubation and properly weighed and recorded.
• Monitor and adjust water flow in incubators and hatching trays.
• Regularly check water quality and ensure proper RAS functioning.
• Maintain incubators and trays; monitor hatching rates and egg performance.
• Track and record all incubation data and implement biosecurity protocols.
• Inspect for infections or abnormalities and ensure all systems are routinely cleaned.

Pond Environment

• Monitor pond water parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen compounds).
• Apply corrective measures as needed (liming, flushing, water exchanges).
• Oversee pond preparation before stocking, including cleaning, disinfection, and pegging.
• Manage plankton growth and hapa inventory (cleaning, storage, repairs).
• Set up hapas for initial fry stocking from incubation.

Fish Handling

• Oversee sampling, weighing, and transferring fish across nursery stages.
• Minimize fish stress and ensure proper conditioning before transfers.
• Coordinate safe movement of fingerlings from nursery ponds to grow-out cages.
• Supervise loading and transport to reduce mortality.
• Ensure all documentation (counts, health status, ABW, DOC, survival rates) is accurate in coordination with the Data Subdepartment.
• Conduct routine samplings to forecast growth and future transfers.

Feeds and Feeding

• Ensure feed rations are calculated and distributed appropriately.
• Prepare feeds based on nursery stage requirements.
• Supervise feeding schedules and adjust feed type/quantity based on fish size and age.
• Monitor feeding behaviour to avoid over- or underfeeding.
• Train and guide feeders through hands-on involvement.
• Feed broodstock for optimal reproductive performance and adjust according to cycles and health.
• Monitor feed quality and ensure proper storage.
• Maintain accurate records of feed usage and monitor feed conversion rates.

 Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Animal Production, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Proven experience in a supervisory or team lead role in an agricultural setting.
• Willingness to work in a remote area.
• Strong sense of professionalism and reliability.

 How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please prepare and submit the following documents:

1. Job application letter
2. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Copy of academic certificates
4. Copy of your National ID or Passport

Send your application to: recruiting@kivuchoice.com

Deadline for submission: Friday, 24th July 2025
Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.