Agricultural Economist (Value Chains and Development)

REF: AE/VCD/MK02/08/11

Total salary & benefits package circa USD 105,000 (tax free*) Base salary from USD 60,000 per annum plus benefit (dependent on qualifications and experience)

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Agricultural Economist (Value Chains and Development) will contribute to on-going and new pro-poor livestock development research in Sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia. S/he will develop and use value chain Analysis in the context of smallholder livestock production, and small scale and informal sector processing, trading and retailing. This will involve developing quantitative methods for value chain analysis to provide insight into public and private roles in upgrading livestock value chains for the benefit of the poor, implementing project activities as part of a team to apply these methods to design and evaluate technological, organizational and institutional interventions, and preparing research outputs (including peer-reviewed journal articles) and other strategic communication products. Essential qualifications •A Ph.D. or equivalent in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Agribusiness, or related discipline •Proven analytical and research skills through a track record of scientific publications, policy documents and related correspondence. •Experience of working in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, with strong preference given to livestock-related experience •Demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, and strong interpersonal and partnership management skills •Strong English language skills, both written and spoken (proficiency in other languages is an advantage); A passion for the generation of scientific knowledge that advances pro-poor development

Specific Qualifications •A proven research record extending to study design and use of quantitative and qualitative analytic methods (including econometric and mathematical modeling); •Familiarity with institutional analysis of public and private sector actors, alternative exchange and vertical co-ordination mechanisms, value chain performance, and policy; •Experience with analysis of primary data on smallholder household production and/or marketing and trading (experience in modeling of risk is an advantage).

Post location: Preference will be given to locating this position at Nairobi, Kenya, but other locations will be considered.
Position level: The position is Scientist/Research Level 2, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive international benefit package. *Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship. Benefits include: 15% pension contribution s Life insurance s International medical cover for staff and dependentss Education allowance for dependent children s Housing allowance sRelocation allowance s Annual home leave travel allowance s Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + 11 public holidays.

Applications Applicants should send a cover letter explaining their interest, what they can bring to the job and indicating earliest availability. They should also send curriculum vitae and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to email: ilri-economists@cgiar.org by 30 September 2011. The position reference number ‘AE/VCD/MK02/08/11’ must be clearly indicated in the email subject line.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Suitably qualified women and developing country citizens are particularly encouraged to apply.

View the original article here