Research Associate SPTA Project

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries, and through offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through strong science and effective partnerships, we create, share, and use knowledge and agricultural technologies to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources in developing countries. We participate in an extensive global network of people and organizations who share similar research and development goals, including the public and private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, farmers, and the development assistance community.

CIMMYT is hosted by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), a member of the CGIAR that is headquartered on United Nations Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya.

We invite you to learn more about SEI and World Agroforestry by accessing our web sites: www.cimmyt.org   and www.worldagroforestry.org.

The incumbent will form part of a social science team working in Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA) project and provide support to two major lines of research. First, she/he will support the design and implementation of ex ante impact assessment of new maize seed technology, involving a benefit cost analysis including those to farmers (direct yield gain from the seed as well as increased turnover), consumers, and seed companies (cost reduction and improved seed purity). Second, she/he will support the design and implementation of gender-intentional on-farm farmer evaluations of new seed technologies. The incumbent may enroll in a PhD program in a social science related discipline and write a PhD thesis based on the results of this study.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature reviews and assist in preparing background studies, research and survey reports, research presentations and policy briefs.
• Locate, assemble and analyze secondary data relevant for the impact assessment of the technology.
• Assist in the development of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments.
• Implement farmer, community and seed company surveys, conduct field visits to supervise data collection and follow up with partners.
• Facilitate focus group discussions and key informant interviews in selected areas
• Develop data entry templates and facilitate data entry, data cleaning, management and analysis.
• Conduct statistical and econometric analysis of survey and other data using SPSS and STATA
• Assist in managing and updating existing socioeconomic databases on maize and maize seed production, seed companies and other stakeholder contacts, and other relevant data.
• Analyze data and assist in preparation of manuscripts for submission to journals.

Other Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain contacts with collaborating organizations and partners.
• Assist in organizing project and stakeholder meetings and workshops.
• Any other duties and miscellaneous tasks as required and as assigned from time to time.

Requirements

• MSc degree in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, or related fields from a recognizable university.
• Three years’ experience in research work.
• Good understanding of gender dynamics, rural poverty, rural economy, seed systems, and agricultural value chains in the region.
• Demonstrated strong quantitative skills in using STATA, SPSS.
• Experience in planning and conducting farm household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, integrity, honesty and self-motivation.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work efficiently and independently, to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively within a team in a high-pressure work environment.
• Ability to travel extensively in Kenya, with possible travel in the region as needed.

Terms of offer

• This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position. ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for a period of 3 years, inclusive of a 6-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya.

How to apply

Send your application to: HumanResources@cgiar.org (Please indicate the position title on the email Subject)

Applications will be considered until 18^th May 2021. CV and Cover Letter should be in PDF and Labelled with the applicants First and Second Names.  Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the job requirements will be contacted.