Position Announcement Research Associate (Agricultural Economics)
AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center is a nonprofit, autonomous international
agricultural research center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional
offices around the globe. The Center conducts research and development
programs that contribute to alleviating poverty and malnutrition in the
developing world through the increased production and consumption of
nutritious and health-promoting vegetables. AVRDC – Eastern and Southern
Africa, located in Arusha, conducts vegetable research and training and
provides information services for the benefit of its stakeholders in the
horticultural sector in Africa. As part of the Center’s Innovation Funds
project in Tanzania, the Center is looking for a talented, diligent,
ambitious and re
liable Tanzanian citizen, who places importance on quality,
team-work and diligence for the position of Research Associate:
Agricultural Economics under the nationally recruited staff (NRS) category.
Key responsibilities
The successful candidate will report to the Global Theme Leader –
Consumption and his appointed representative, Postdoctoral Scientist
(Agricultural Economics) based in Arusha.
Responsibilities
Assist with development of research survey instruments, data analytical
tools and survey protocols;
Perform data collection activities and data processing such as data entry,
encoding, editing and cleaning in MS-Excel and STATA software package;
Assist in quantitative data analysis using spreadsheets, statistical and
econometric models for AVRDC’s Innovation funds project in Tanzania;
Perform data collection activities and data processing of AVRDC’s
Innovation funds project in Tanzania, such as encoding, editing and
cleaning in MS-Excel and other econometric software package;
Conduct literature reviews on the state of the art of current topics of
relevance to AVRDC’s Innovation funds project in Tanzania and other
upcoming project initiatives;
Assist the socio-economists and Global Theme Leader-Consumption in report
writing, editing, literature search for publications;
Assist in preparing protocols, and collect farm enterprise budget data for
selected focus vegetables in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region;
Facilitate field visits by visitors as needed and represent the
Socio-economist and Global Theme Leader – Consumption and the Center in
meetings as needed; Assist and/or provide expertise as a resource person
for socio-economic issues in AVRDC’s research and development work;
Performing other duties as may be assigned by the Agricultural Economist &
Global Theme Leader – Consumption or his appointed representative.
Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications
A Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics or Agribusiness;
A minimum of 1-year postgraduate degree working experience in value chain
analysis with particularly focuses for horticultural crops, especially
vegetables would be preferable. Knowledge of seed systems and distribution
within a private sector perspective will be a plus;
Demonstrated ability to conduct applied quantitative and/or qualitative
research, household data sets and carry out statistical analyses based on
survey data;
Excellent computer skills in MS-office applications;
Proficiency in statistics and econometric software packages with particular
emphasis on STATA;
Experience in conducting household survey including drafting of
semi-structured questionnaires, basic descriptive and inferential
statistics as well as econometric modeling;
Good understanding of project/program planning and management and proven
project support skills;
Fluency in English and Kiswahili (spoken and written);
Excellent report writing and editing skills in English with ability to
deliver high quality report drafts under short deadlines;
High self-confidence and ability to work in an intercultural team;
Ability to work independently, with initiative and minimal supervision.
Application procedure
Submit (1) a letter of application indicating expected salary, the earliest
joining date and suitability to the outlined activities and qualifications;
and (2) a curriculum vitae with three names of professional referees
including contact address, phone number and e-mail. Applications should be
sent by e-mail only to nadine.kwazi@worldveg.org with the title of the
position in the heading. Only applications sent by e-mail will be
considered.
Information on the position can be requested by phone (+255 272553093, +255
272553102). Only applications from short listed candidates will be
acknowledged. AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center offers an attractive
working environment in a multi-cultural setting with employees from
different countries and diverse backgrounds. AVRDC is an equal opportunity
and affirmative action employer.
Closing Date Closing date for applications is 9 th October 2014. Interviews
will be held a couple of days after the closing date.
