Research Scientist (Social Sciences and Impact Assessment Unit) at icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health

Overall purpose of the job

• Lead advanced socioeconomic and scaling research and analysis to drive impactful insights, foster innovative methodologies, and contribute to capacity building for the future generation in the field of economics and value chain assessment.

Specific Duties:

•  Undertake micro and macro-impact assessments using state-of-the-art methodologies, inclusive of machine learning.
•  Carry out in technology supply-demand analysis using advanced methodologies.
•  Conduct gender-value chain analysis using state-of-the-art methodologies.
•  Comprehend the adoption pathways and determine the most impactful scaling strategies for icipe’s technologies using a blend of experimental and non-experimental methodologies.
•  Design and implement surveys and economics experiments such as RCT.
•  Initiate and execute high-calibre research projects that result in publications in top-tier, peerreviewed journals.
•  Develop and execute project proposals.
•  Play a vital role in capacity building for the upcoming generation and collaborators.
•  Complete additional tasks as delegated by the supervising authority.

Requirements/Qualifications

•  PhD in Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, Resource Economics, Business Economics or related field.
•  At least four years of postdoctoral experience in evaluating the impact of human, animal, plant, and environmental health technologies, along with expertise in technology supply-demand analysis and gender-value chain analysis.
•  Four (4) years of experience related to the position.
•  Proficiency in applied econometric analysis, machine learning techniques, experimental designs such as RCT implementation, and spatial economics analysis.
•  Research experience in agriculture and rural development in developing nations.
•  Capability in bioeconomic modelling for micro- and macro-level pre- and post-evaluations.
•  Experience working in international research organizations will be a plus.
•  A notable record of publications in well-regarded agricultural and development economics journals.
•  Expertise in orchestrating extensive household surveys and economic experiments.
•  A willingness and ability to travel to remote village locations.
•  Aptitude for multitasking and a keenness to thrive in a multicultural setting.
•  Experience in capacity building through supervision and mentorship of MSc and undergraduate students.
•  Excellent communication skills and collaborative network of partnership at national and international levels.

Other desirable attributes

•  Increasing level of contribution to design of research and implementation of centre guidelines.
•  Supervise support staff and post graduate students.
•  Successfully manage the project(s)’ operational budgets.
•  At least four publications after postdoctoral fellowship.
•  Significant contribution to the preparation of at least two successfully funded proposals.
•  Demonstrated involvement in donor relations or building fund-raising coalitions with partners.
•  Some distinguishing achievements in training, networking, research, or proposal development with partners.
•  At least one publication with partner authorship.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Head of Social Sciences and Impact Assessment Unit.

Applications will be accepted up to 22nd September 2023