Facilities Associate

About WorldFish  

WorldFish is an international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish and other aquatic foods for their livelihoods and nutrition. Our work in countries advances progress on multiple 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation, with a vision of healthy people, healthy planet and shared prosperity.   

About the Position

The Senior Facilities Associate will implement routine maintenance activities for office, research and lodging spaces. Carries out advanced repair tasks within technical capability, inspects facilities and equipment to identify faults, monitors maintenance materials and tools, and maintains clean and service‑ready work areas.

The role communicates procedures and service requirements to users, engages with teams to support timely service delivery, responds to operational queries, and collaborates with contractors and service providers to confirm requirements and follow up on routine issues. The Senior Facilities Associate prioritizes service requests, informs the supervisor of delays or risks, verifies completed services, prepares reports and logbooks, and compiles regular updates to support monitoring and continuous improvement of facilities operations.

Key Responsibilities

Main Purpose of Job:

• Implement assigned maintenance activities for the office, small research facilities and lodging areas to ensure buildings, equipment and work areas remain safe, functional and presentable.
• Carry out assigned repair and maintenance tasks within technical capability, using tools and equipment appropriately and following safety and housekeeping requirements.
• Inspect facilities, equipment, utilities and work areas on a routine basis to identify maintenance needs or basic faults and take follow-up action or escalate where specialized support is required.
• Check the condition and availability of materials, tools and supplies needed for assigned work and recommend or request replenishment of parts and items needed for repairs and upkeep.
• Execute daily repair and maintenance tasks, including general maintenance routines, small repairs, and troubleshooting to ensure operational continuity.
• Maintain clean, orderly and service-ready office, research support and lodging spaces in line with established standards and requirements.
• Perform other maintenance and facilities assigned tasks across the HQ campus and other operational sites, as required.

Main engagement, collaboration and communication responsibilities:

• Communicate and inspect procedures, service requirements, priorities, access arrangements, and follow-up with users and relevant internal contacts to ensure processes are understood and carried out efficiently.
• Communicate with other teams and clients to ensure timely service delivery of assigned work.
• Respond to requests and operational queries from staff and stakeholders regarding ensuring needs are addressed correctly and without delay.
• Collaborate and engage with contractors and service providers on routine services to confirm requirements, follow up on routine service issues, and ensure agreed services are completed.

Main responsibilities in the delivery of timely and quality services:

• Prioritize routine service and work requests, and follow-up according to operational urgency and service impact to maintain continuity of facilities operations.
• Inform supervisor of service delays, stock shortages, unresolved operational issues, repeated requests, or risks affecting facilities service delivery to enable timely decisions and corrective action.
• Verify services were delivered, against safety procedures and housekeeping practices to trigger corrective follow-up where needed.
• Prepare reports, check and verify logbooks related to implemented work to ensure proper documentation.
• Compile regular service updates, stock status information, recurring issue summaries, and routine performance observations for the supervisor to support service monitoring, operational adjustments, and improvement of facilities operations.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:  

• Secondary education, a vocational certificate a relevant field is an advantage.
• Experience in providing a wide variety of maintenance services.
• Experience with implementing health and safety procedures, including checking work area.
• Experience maintaining inventory.
• Experience guiding the work of team members or contractors.
• Fluency in English is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.

Key Competencies Required

Core competencies

• Accountability: Collaborates with team members, taking responsibility for both individual and team success and seeks feedback to improve performance. Meets deadlines consistently and follows ethical guidelines.

• Collaboration and Communication: Conveys information clearly and ensures the recipient understands the message. Fully engages in conversations and shares relevant information to support informed decision-making.

• Respect and Inclusion: Acknowledges team members' contributions and collaborates effectively with diverse colleagues. Demonstrates flexibility and openness, supporting inclusive approaches that encourage full participation.

• Results and Impact Orientation: Proactively identifies challenges and demonstrates effective problem-solving; Consistently fulfills commitments and respects the organization’s mission and values. Adapts to new processes, emerging technologies and evolving requirements to maintain efficiency.

Functional Competencies

• Analytical, Critical and Systems Thinking: Analyzes information from multiple sources to identify trends, draw conclusions, and provide actionable recommendations.

• Equipment Operations: Anticipates and mitigates equipment hazards, applies preventative maintenance protocols for equipment longevity, and ensures adherence to safety procedures and guidelines by the team.

• Planning and Organizing: Plans and managing multiple priorities and deadlines independently, using time management tools to stay on track, and effectively balance competing tasks while adjusting as needed.

• Problem Solving: Analyzes information to identify root causes, collaborates with colleagues to gather information, and prioritizes critical factors to propose effective solutions.

Benefits

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including comprehensive benefits (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, employer provident fund contribution, paid leave, and others. The duration of the contract with initially be for a period of three years with possibility of extension, depending on funding and performance.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae,
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 23:59 (MYT), 25 October 2026.

Location: The post holder will be based in Penang, Malaysia

The screening will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment 

Over 40% of WorldFish staff is women with some 30 nationalities represented and contributing to its dynamic multicultural work environment. WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion are valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions. 

People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.