RECRUITING A SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE FOR IFPRI
The Organization
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Established in 1975, IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 50 countries. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development.
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future (http://alliancebioversityciat.org).
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is hosted by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Rwanda.
The Position
The Alliance, on behalf of IFPRI, is seeking a Senior Senior Research Associate. This is primarily a research position, requiring a good understanding of agriculture and rural development, as well as experience with quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The position will provide analytical support to the research program titled Strengthening Food Systems to Promote Increased Value Chain Employment Opportunities for Youth, funded by the Mastercard Foundation, and implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme. The Research Analyst will contribute to preparing and implementing surveys, contributing to data analysis, and collaborating on research relating to the role of gender, youth, and digital solutions in creating jobs and reducing post-harvest losses along key value chains in Rwanda. There will also be opportunities for the Research Analyst to contribute to policy research, capacity strengthening, and knowledge sharing activities across research, government, civil society, and other stakeholder communities.
Main duties and responsibilities of the Senior Research Associate
- Contribute to quantitative analyses of primary and secondary data of specific policies and programs relating to gender, youth, and digital solutions for job creation and post-harvest loss reduction along key value chains in Rwanda.
- Contribute to qualitative analysis, including situational diagnostics, landscape analysis, and policy change process analysis, on policies and programs relating to the same topics.
- Participate in the design and implementation of data collection tools including, but not limited to, household surveys, value chain surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, and/or case studies.
- Contribute to the preparation of data collection instruments, protocols, and procedures; applications for ethical reviews and research permits; training for survey enumerators and field supervisors; and support to partner organizations involved in data collection efforts.
- Conduct literature reviews and syntheses on topics related to gender, youth, and digital solutions for job creation and post-harvest loss reduction along key value chains in Rwanda.
- Prepare presentations, presentation materials, research reports, policy notes, refereed journal articles, and other documents related to gender, youth, and digital solutions for job creation and post-harvest loss reduction along key value chains in Rwanda, or as required by IFPRI.
- Liaise with key program partners, including the Mastercard Foundation and the World Food Programme, as well as with the Government of Rwanda and collaborators in other research networks, policy think tanks, universities, civil society organizations, and donor agencies, as required by IFPRI.
- Other duties as assigned by IFPRI.
Requirements
The successful candidate will be required to have:
- Master’s Degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, or a related field.
- 2 More than 2 years’ work experience in research, economics, or public policy.
- Working knowledge of Stata (preferred) or other statistical software; experience with a qualitative analysis software is a bonus.
- Demonstrated capacity to implement large and detailed agriculture surveys.
- Experience with qualitative data collection through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and/or semi-structured interviews.
- Demonstrated capacity to analyze and utilize policy-relevant information from a broad range of sources on value chain analysis and post-harvest loss, including its intersection with gender, youth, and digital solutions.
- Familiarity with theoretical and technical issues related to social and economic development, agriculture and rural development, growth and poverty, food security, and/or nutrition, both in broad terms and specific to Rwanda.
- Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
- Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, but also participate as a team member in conducting the duties described above.
- Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, good judgment, and a high level of respect for confidentiality.
- Excellent presentation skills in seminars and workshops.
- Strong ability to coordinate, prioritize, and organize a rapidly changing workload; is flexible and able to work under pressure.
- Highly effective planning, organizational, and multi‐tasking skills with a positive attitude and strong administrative service orientation.
- Ability to work in a multi‐cultural environment.
- Commitment to IFPRI’s mission and core values.
Terms of employment
The position is nationally recruited, will be based at IFPRI Offices in Kigali, Rwanda. The contract will be for two (2) year period, subject to a probation period of three (3) months, renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.
Applications
Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number Ref: 102831- Senior Research Associate as the position applied. Applications should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting. The CV should include at least three references, including the supervisor of the last occupied work position.
The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
The Alliance’s and IFPRI’s commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
Closing date for applications: 28th December 2022
