About the organization
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is one of the 15 Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Consortium, and receives funding from over 50 different donors. The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya and research is conducted in 28 other countries in Africa, Asia andLatin America.
Our vision is a rural transformation in the developing world as smallholder households increase their use of trees in agricultural landscapes to improve food security, nutrition, income, health, shelter, social cohesion, energy resources and environmental sustainability.
The main focus of these positions will be the activities of the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) program and climate related projects of the West and Central Africa (WCA) team of ICRAF. One of the CCAFS over-arching objectives is to assess and test pro-poor adaptation and mitigation practices, technologies and policies for food systems, adaptive capacity and rural livelihoods. This is being done through an adaptive“placed-based” research aiming to decrease the vulnerability of rural communities and enable them to prosper under a variable and changing climate. The regional approach aims to ensure complementarity of thematic research, and to be the basis of a strong network of partners implementing the work. The regional teams are spearheading achievement of outcomes and impacts at national andregional levels
To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestrycentre.org
About the position
JUNIOR SCIENTIST – SOCIOECONOMIST-RESEARCH ASSISTANT, BAMAKO
The Socio-economist Research Assistant will performall tasks related to research activities, capacity building and dissemination of agroforestry in Mali, to enhance the uptake of agroforestry innovations developed and contribute to the visibility of ICRAF Research in the Sahel.
The Socio-economist Research Assistant will assist in conducting research activities on agroforestry products marketing, value chain analysis, gender research and will contribute in supervising and monitoring of ongoing interventions in ICRAF’s projects sites in Mali, with special linkages with SmAT-Scaling program.
To be based in Bamako (Samanko station), the incumbent will mainly be assigned to the following:
Assist in elaborating training modules and contributing to training actors on marketing, value chain analysis, M&E, and multi-stakeholders innovation platforms modules;
Developing data collection instruments and ffacilitate the gathering, processing and archiving of primary data in socioeconomic and biophysical analyses;
Using advanced econometric software in quantitativeand qualitative research analyses;
Publishing scientific articles in reference socioeconomic journals;
Supervise and monitor the field activities carried out in Mopti, Sikasso and Timbuktu with the framework of Global Climate Change and SmAT-Scaling projects;
Provide a monthly feedback through a comprehensive report delineating updated information on the activities carried out;
Maintain and strengthen the existing partnership between ICRAF and its partners;
Contribute to develop concept notes for fund raising, and technical reports; and
Carry out any other tasks requested by the Sahel Node Coordinator or the Supervisor.
Qualifications and experience:
A Master degree in agricultural economics, agroforestry / environment or any other related fields is required for this position. The candidates are required to have at least 5 years of working experience in the domain of socio-economics, quantitative and qualitative research, agricultural education and extension, monitoring, evaluation andlearning, and capacity building.
Skills and competencies
• A very good knowledge of participatory learning andknowledge sharing approaches;
• Possessing excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills;
• Very good knowledge on data collection, processing and analysis;
• Responsive, rigorous, available;
• Good reporting and writing skills in English;
• Proficient in English and French, and use of both languages to writing reports and journal articles. A third national language (spoken in Mopti, Sikasso or Timbuktu) will be an advantage;
• Be creative and able to innovatively and having experiences in using Information and Communication Technology Tools in gathering field data;
• Good familiarity with integrated management of natural resources projects (agroforestry,
forestry, agricultural) research and development sectors will be an asset;
• Be familiar with statistics and econometric software. The use of Stata will be an advantage.
Terms of offer
The World Agroforestry Centre is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gendersensitive working environment. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. These positions are on national termsand will be for an initial period of two (2) years, subject to a probation period according to the local labour law.
The contract could be renewed subject to performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of funds.
How to apply
Go to https://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies
Applications for this position must include:
• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements and salary expectations,
• A detailed and updated curriculum vitae,
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses.
All correspondence should be addressed to the HumanResources Unit, ICRAF West and Central Africa, Sahel Node Applicants should indicate: “Application-Junior Scientist-Socio-economist /Research Assistant, Bamako” on their application letters and subject of email submissions.
Applications will be considered until 5th July 2015 or until a suitable candidate is identified and selected. .
Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about ICRAF by accessing our web site: https://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org