Agroecology Research Assistant at Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

Overview

The purpose of this job is to support social science research and stakeholder engagement in the context of agroecological transitions in food systems.

Summary of responsibilities

• Assist in research, data collection and analysis on social science dimensions of agroecology.
• Assist in conceptualizing and researching social dimensions on agroecological transitions.
• Reviewing and analyzing indicators for social dimensions of agroecology.
• Developing and applying innovative participatory action research methods.
• Collecting social data using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (qualitative data analysis and data visualization).
• Support stakeholder coordination and engagement, both remotely and on the ground.
• Support in designing and facilitating workshops with farmers and other stakeholders.
• Support in engaging stakeholders on needs for metrics.
• Contribution to scientific writing on social dimensions of agroecology, engagement, and agency, including project reports and scientific publications.
• Contribution to communications materials on agroecological transitions in food systems for diverse audiences, including farmers, extension, policy makers, donors, including,
• Contribution to communications by development of policy briefs reports and other written materials.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in relevant discipline (agriculture, agroecology, international development, sociology, anthropology, political ecology, gender studies, human geography, etc.) with a strong focus on social science is required.
• Demonstrated ability in participatory action research and quantitative or qualitative data analysis, with experience in both/mixed methods, strongly preferred.  
• Experience with Nvivo or other relevant qualitative data analysis software preferred.
• Candidates with a track-record of publications (or contributions to publications) in peer-reviewed journals preferred.
• Candidate should have experience in facilitation, stakeholder engagement, multi-stakeholder platforms and/or community organizing.
• Documented experience in social engagement both online and in person (multi-stakeholder engagement, community organizing, community of practice, social media) strongly preferred.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Candidate should have demonstrated ability and experience to work in an international and transdisciplinary research environment.
• Fluency in English required. Good command of Kiswahili and other Kenyan languages strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of agroecology, including social and social-movement dimensions of agroecology is desirable.