Research Associate (Agricultural Economics), Arusha, Tanzania

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 reliable 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

1. Assist with development of research survey instruments, data analytical tools and survey protocols;
2. Perform data collection activities and data processing such as data entry, encoding, editing and cleaning in MS-Excel and STATA software package;
3. Assist in quantitative data analysis using spreadsheets, statistical and econometric models for AVRDC's Innovation funds project in Tanzania;
4. 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;
5. 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;
6. Assist the socio-economists and Global Theme Leader-Consumption in report writing, editing, literature search for publications;
7. Assist in preparing protocols, and collect farm enterprise budget data for selected focus vegetables in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region;
8. 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;
9. Performing other duties as may be assigned by the Agricultural Economist & Global Theme Leader – Consumption or his appointed representative.

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications

1. A Master's degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics or Agribusiness;
2. 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;
3. Demonstrated ability to conduct applied quantitative and/or qualitative research, household data sets and carry out statistical analyses based on survey data;
4. Excellent computer skills in MS-office applications;
5. Proficiency in statistics and econometric software packages with particular emphasis on STATA;
6. Experience in conducting household survey including drafting of semi-structured questionnaires, basic descriptive and inferential statistics as well as econometric modeling;
7. Good understanding of project/program planning and management and proven project support skills;
8. Fluency in English and Kiswahili (spoken and written);
9. Excellent report writing and editing skills in English with ability to deliver high quality report drafts under short deadlines;
10. High self-confidence and ability to work in an intercultural team;
11. 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.