Job Title: Hatchery Foreman
Department: Hatchery
Location: Kigembe, Gisagara, Rwanda
Start date: As soon As possible
No. of Positions: 3
About Kivu Choice:
Kivu Choice is Rwanda’s largest protein producer and one of the fastest-growing aquaculture companies in Africa. Founded in 2022, Kivu Choice is the sister company to Victory Farms, East Africa’s leading aquaculture platform based in Kenya. The company operates a fully vertically integrated aquaculture model, encompassing hatchery operations, cage-based grow-out, processing, distribution, and sales. Kivu Choice is also one of the country’s largest employers with over 700 employees, and plans to grow to 1,200 employees within the next three years, reflecting its strong commitment to job creation and inclusive economic development. Over the next five years, Kivu Choice aims to scale into Africa’s largest and most sustainable protein producer, producing and distributing 30,000 tons of fish annually for the Rwandan market and for export across the region.
About the role:
The Hatchery Foreman is responsible for supervising day-to-day hatchery field operations including broodstock spawning support, egg collection, pond environmental management, and hapa/net logistics. The role ensures optimal environmental conditions, proper egg handling, availability of operational nets, and strict adherence to biosecurity and operational standards to maximize hatchery productivity, survival rates, and operational efficiency.
Responsibilities:
1. Hatchery Production & Egg Collection Management
- Supervise daily fish egg collection from broodstock ponds and breeding units.
- Ensure eggs are carefully handled, sorted, and transferred to incubation systems to minimize mechanical damage.
- Monitor egg quality indicators including fertility rate, coloration, deformities, and fungal
infection. - Coordinate broodstock spawning cycles and support broodstock pond flipping schedules.
- Identify and report abnormal spawning patterns, poor fertilization rates, or broodstock health concerns.
- Maintain proper egg handling hygiene standards to maximize hatchery output and survival
rates.
2. Pond Environmental & Water Quality Management
- Monitor and maintain optimal pond environmental conditions for broodstock and hatchery operations.
- Conduct daily water quality tests including dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH,
ammonia, transparency, alkalinity, and hardness. - Interpret water quality results and recommend corrective measures such as aeration, water exchange, liming, or fertilization.
- Monitor fish behavior and signs of oxygen stress or environmental imbalance and respond promptly.
- Ensure proper operation of aeration systems, water inlets, and drainage structures.
- Coordinate pond flushing or water exchange schedules when necessary.
3. Hapa & Net Logistics Management
- Supervise the fabrication, washing, repair, and deployment of hapas and operational nets.
- Ensure hapas are properly cleaned, disinfected, dried, and stored to maintain biosecurity standards.
- Inspect nets routinely for tears, weak seams, or structural damage and coordinate timely
repairs. - Ensure correct mesh sizes and hapa types are used depending on production stage
(broodstock, fry, fingerlings). - Coordinate timely installation and exchange of hapas in ponds to prevent fish stress, disease spread, or overcrowding.
- Maintain quality control standards during fabrication and repairs.
4. Hatchery Logistics, Equipment & Inventory Control
- Maintain accurate inventory records of hapas, nets, egg collection equipment, and hatchery
tools. - Track issuance, usage, and return of hatchery operational equipment.
- Conduct routine stock counts and report inventory status.
- Recommend procurement of net materials, repair supplies, and operational tools when stock
levels are low. - Ensure egg collection trays, nets, incubators, and water testing equipment remain in good
working condition.
5. Biosecurity & Operational Compliance
- Enforce hatchery biosecurity protocols to prevent disease transmission between ponds and
broodstock units. - Ensure equipment is disinfected before and after use.
- Prevent cross-contamination between broodstock ponds, incubation systems, and hatchery units.
- Enforce safety procedures for hatchery staff working around ponds, equipment, and
chemicals. - Maintain strict hygiene practices in all hatchery operations.
6. Team Supervision & Workforce Management
- Supervise hatchery field teams including egg collection staff, pond attendants, and net
workers. - Assign daily tasks and monitor staff productivity and performance.
- Train staff on egg handling, water quality testing, hapa installation, and net repair techniques.
- Enforce discipline, operational procedures, and safety standards.
- Provide feedback and escalate performance issues where necessary.
7 .Data Collection, Reporting & Production Monitoring
- Maintain accurate daily operational records including:
- Egg collection quantities
- Fertilization rates
- Egg mortality rates
- Water quality readings
- Hapa exchanges and repairs
- Equipment and inventory usage
- Compile and submit daily, weekly, and monthly hatchery operational reports.
- Track hatchery production performance against targets and flag risks affecting output.
- Support management with data required for hatchery planning and operational improvements.
Requirements
- Diploma or Certificate in Aquaculture, Fisheries, Animal Production, Environmental Science,
or related field. - Minimum 2 years experience in fish hatchery or aquaculture operations.
- Practical experience in fish breeding, egg handling, pond management, and hapa/net
management. - Ability to supervise field teams and coordinate daily hatchery activities.
- Basic data recording, reporting, and inventory management skills.
- Physically fit and comfortable working in outdoor farm environments.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this position, please prepare and submit the following documents:
- Job application letter
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of academic certificates
Send your application to: recruiting@kivuchoice.com
Deadline for submission: 25 March 2026
Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.