Plant Supervisor (BSF)

Job Description

Title: Plant Supervisor (BSF)

Company Name: Practical Action - Bangladesh.

Vacancy: 1

Age: Na

Job Location: Faridpur

Salary: Tk. 45720 (Monthly)

Experience:

• 1 to 3 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Bachelor of Science (BSc)

• 1 to 3 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Candidates who identify as Indigenous People are encouraged to apply.

• Educational background in environmental science, waste management or engineering is beneficial (but not essential).      

Experience & Knowledge     

Willingness for hands on participation in organic waste management: This role will include needing to be involved in the day-to-day operation of the BSF plant including handling waste feedstock, handling fly eggs, new hatchlings, larvae and pupae throughout the full BSF life cycle. Applicants should be comfortable with hands on work and handling insects.   

Willingness for close day-to-day partnership with waste workers: In this project members of Faridpur’s waste worker cooperatives will be essential stakeholders and equal partners in the project's implementation and success. The applicant must be willing to work closely with, learn from and receive input from these key stakeholders.   

Additionally:-    

• Demonstrated experience and concern for improved waste management and environmental protection.      

• Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of technical, social, and institutional issues related to waste management – specific knowledge about Black Soldier Flies are a clear advantage.      

• Work Ethic: Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be self-directed.      

• Technical Skills: Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.      

• Preferred Background: Preference will be given to any candidates with experience in Black Soldier Fly farming.       

• Experienced working with municipalities, city corporations, and commercial companies involved in the waste and sanitation value chain is preferable.       

• Experience working with environmental organisations and/or international NGOs if preferable.       

About the Project

Practical Action, funded for 12 months by the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers Program, is piloting a black soldier fly breeding and fattening plant in Faridpur. Using post-consumer kitchen and restaurant waste, the project will test scalable business models, train waste workers, document current BSFL practices in Bangladesh, and publish open-source technical resources for local and global use.

About the Role

Based in Faridpur, the Associate level “Black Soldier Fly Project Supervisor”, will be responsible for the establishment, day-to-day operations, detailed record keeping, and training and support for waste workers, to ensure the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of black soldier fly farming in Faridpur.  

In the first 2 months of the role, the Associate will also be responsible for visiting and researching other BSF farming initiatives in Bangladesh, and supporting the development of report on current practices of Black Soldier Fly Farming in Bangladesh. 

In the latter half of the project, the role will support the development and testing of business models for scaling and ensuring the financial sustainability of BSF farming in Faridpur and beyond. This will include market connections and generating evidence on the suitability of BSF larvae as a poultry/aquaculture feedstock alternative.  

Additionally, the role will support the development of the content for Black Soldier Fly online training videos.  

The role contributes to Practical Action’s diverse portfolio of waste management projects, demonstrating practical implementation of innovative and leading approaches.  

Job Functions and Responsibilities

Plant establishment and operations

• Lead setup of the BSF demonstration plant with PA team support.

• Manage daily operations: secure feedstock, feed larvae, ensure hygiene, supervise breeding and egg collection.

• Provide technical support to decentralized fattening units and partner waste workers.

• Draft and implement plant SOPs.

Data collection, analysis, and reporting

• Contribute to a Bangladesh-wide assessment of BSF practices and scale potential.

• Design and manage data systems for feedstock, breeding, growth, and waste conversion.

• Track and report monthly KPIs on plant performance.

• Support research: test larvae protein and fat, run feeding trials with government or private poultry and fish farms.

Training and capacity development

• Coach plant staff and waste workers on sourcing, feeding, harvesting, troubleshooting, and scaling.

• Deliver regular trainings in Faridpur.

• Supervise volunteers conducting site visits for data collection, problem solving, and on-site training.

Business model development and relationships

• Compile data to analyze sustainable BSF business models.

• Support relationships with poultry and aquaculture partners in government and the private sector.