 Position: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS){kind=link}
Job Recruitment at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Position: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
Company Profile
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit organization that develops agricultural solutions to address Africa’s most pressing concerns, including hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. We work with a variety of partners across Sub-Saharan Africa to improve lives, improve food and nutrition security, increase employment, and protect natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of the CGIAR, a worldwide agriculture research cooperation dedicated to a food-secure future. To learn more about IITA, please visit www.iita.org.
Job Description.
GENERAL
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit organization that develops agricultural solutions to address Africa’s most pressing concerns, including hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. We work with a variety of partners across Sub-Saharan Africa to improve lives, improve food and nutrition security, increase employment, and protect natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of the CGIAR, a worldwide agriculture research cooperation dedicated to a food-secure future.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is looking for a RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS on behalf of The Alliance of Bioversity International, a CGIAR-affiliated global research partnership dedicated to reducing poverty, improving food and nutrition security, and enhancing natural resources and ecosystem services.
The Position
The Alliance is looking for a motivated, self-starting, adaptable, and qualified individual with the technical abilities needed for social research and implementation in its increasing portfolio of Data Driven Sustainability initiatives.
The Data Driven Sustainability team is leading a multi-year forest conservation initiative based on community-level payment for ecosystem services (PES), with remote sensing data serving as a deforestation alert and monitoring tool. The project, supported by sustainability-minded cocoa corporations that buy predominantly in West African regions, aims to achieve zero-deforestation production while also improving the living conditions of cocoa cultivating communities.
The qualitative researcher will work with local stakeholders to organize the project’s monitoring and reporting using mixed techniques. The researcher will also help develop protocols and seek funds to replicate the present conservation PES project, as well as lead the deployment of the replication site.
The ideal candidate is passionate about social and environmental sustainability. They will perform mixed-method fieldwork, coordinate with local stakeholders, and write reports, articles, and proposals while adhering to the highest ethical standards.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Research Protocol Development
- Support the creation of procedures for extending the conservation PES model in Ashanti, Ghana, to new locations.
- Assist in securing funds for the replication site by preparing proposals, giving presentations, and performing other responsibilities as assigned.
- Encourage the creation of mixed-methods research protocols, such as sample methodologies and interview guides/questionnaires for qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, and quantitative household surveys.
Project Implementation Coordination
- Coordinate the replication project’s implementation at the replication site, which includes recruiting a field team, developing relationships with local stakeholders, coordinating with team members, adjusting replication protocols to match the replication site’s conditions, and performing other tasks required to ensure the replicated project runs smoothly.
Field Mixed Methods Research and Supervision
- Conduct mixed-methodologies research, including qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, quantitative household surveys, and other research methods as assigned.
- During quantitative household survey data collection, the researcher is in charge of training enumerators, supervising the data collection process, and routinely analyzing gathered data and fixing errors in real time to assure data quality.
Data analysis
- On a daily basis, use good practice documentation and take notes on the day’s observations to promote learning and reflection.
- Analyze data using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
Publication and Dissemination
- Contribute significant amounts of research papers and articles to national and international periodicals.
- Present study findings at conferences, workshops, and other relevant forums as opportunities arise.
Remote Collaboration and Teamwork
- Collaborate (mostly via remote communication tools) with a varied team made up of personnel from various cultures, backgrounds, and time zones to ensure seamless communication and productivity.
- Cultivate new and deepen current partnerships with local, national, and international partners to build a culture of information sharing.
Continuous Learning and Updating.
- Keep up with the most recent breakthroughs in social science research methodology and technologies.
- Participate in professional development chances to improve research skills.
Required Skill or Experience
- Degrees in Social Sciences or a similar discipline, as well as hands-on experience in the cocoa/coffee sector.
- Experience in qualitative research and stakeholder engagement is essential.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is necessary.
- Demonstrated ability to operate independently as well as collaboratively with a team, including individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and time zones.
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate problems, assess situations, and take initiative to find solutions.
- Excellent written and vocal communication skills in English, particularly shown writing abilities for reports, publications, and projects.
- The ability to communicate complex concepts and data in a clear, concise, and understandable manner.
- Understanding and upholding research ethics and values.
- Dedicated to protecting the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of study participants.
- Flexibility and a readiness to continuously learn and adapt to shifting priorities and requirements.
- Willingness to travel domestically or abroad.
- The ability to speak and write in French and another West African language is strongly preferred.
- We seek candidates with good statistical analysis abilities and expertise in research software (e.g., R, Python, NVivo, Kobo collect).
Terms of employment
This post is advertised nationally and will be headquartered in Accra, Ghana. The initial contract will be for one year, with a six-month probation period, and it will be renewable based on performance and availability of resources.
How to Apply for this Job Recruitment at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Applications must be submitted via email with the subject “Research Associate – Sustainability Projects”. To make sorting easier, save the cover letter and CV as a one document using the format “LAST NAME_first name”. The application document should also include the names and email addresses of three referees who are familiar with the candidate’s academic and/or professional qualifications. Applications should be submitted by email only to the Station Administrator of IITA-Ghana at iita-ghanahr@cgiar.org.
CLOSING DATE: MAY 26, 2024.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Closing Date: May 30, 2024
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