Post Doctoral Scientist – Agricultural Economist

Key Responsibilities

This position requires a proactive, collaborative, and impact-driven individual with the skills to advance ILRI’s thematic area on risk management for vulnerable populations and contribute to overarching goal of leveraging de-risking and risk management solutions for the resilience of communities in Africa and Asia.

Research Leadership Lead climate and non-climate risk modelling in complex crop and livestock systems and value chains using a systems approach. Lead the design and implementation of experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental studies to assess uptake, adoption, and impacts of de-risking and risk management solutions. Lead and support risk and vulnerability assessments. Lead quantitative analysis of trade-offs and synergies associated with adoption of de-risking and risk management solutions. Lead or contribute to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, policy briefs, toolkits, and donor reports. Contribute to the project’s activities on related aspects/ themes under the guidance of the supervisor. Identifying evidence-based business models for effective de-risking mechanisms.

Lead climate and non-climate risk modelling in complex crop and livestock systems and value chains using a systems approach.

Lead the design and implementation of experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental studies to assess uptake, adoption, and impacts of de-risking and risk management solutions.

Lead and support risk and vulnerability assessments.

Lead quantitative analysis of trade-offs and synergies associated with adoption of de-risking and risk management solutions.

Lead or contribute to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, policy briefs, toolkits, and donor reports.

Contribute to the project’s activities on related aspects/ themes under the guidance of the supervisor.

Identifying evidence-based business models for effective de-risking mechanisms.

Partnerships and Stakeholder engagement Build and manage strategic partnerships with CGIAR Centers, universities, governments, donors, private sector actors, and civil society organizations. Convene stakeholder dialogues, technical workshops, learning events, and capacity-strengthening initiatives at global, regional, and national levels. Collaborate with communications teams to translate research into accessible knowledge products, campaigns, and influence strategies.

Build and manage strategic partnerships with CGIAR Centers, universities, governments, donors, private sector actors, and civil society organizations.

Convene stakeholder dialogues, technical workshops, learning events, and capacity-strengthening initiatives at global, regional, and national levels.

Collaborate with communications teams to translate research into accessible knowledge products, campaigns, and influence strategies.

Capacity Development and Knowledge Management In conjunction with the senior scientist, plan, survey and coordinate the materials and resources required to meet the research objectives of the group. Collect, store and curate data generated from the analytics. Review existing course of actions and support in the development of proposals, milestones and implementation of research. Prepare and assure quality of project reports and papers for presentation. Support fund generation activities by contributing to proposal writing and creating new opportunities. Capacity building for local communities and government institutions, for example county governments on risk assessment and management, climate preparedness, and anticipatory action.

In conjunction with the senior scientist, plan, survey and coordinate the materials and resources required to meet the research objectives of the group.

Collect, store and curate data generated from the analytics.

Review existing course of actions and support in the development of proposals, milestones and implementation of research.

Prepare and assure quality of project reports and papers for presentation.

Support fund generation activities by contributing to proposal writing and creating new opportunities.

Capacity building for local communities and government institutions, for example county governments on risk assessment and management, climate preparedness, and anticipatory action.

Requirements

PhD in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, or Environmental Economics with demonstrable experience of working in complex crop and livestock systems.

Candidates must be within Two to Four years of PhD Completion

Advanced quantitative analytical techniques and econometric skills with experience in impact evaluation, experimental design, and data analytics. Proficiency in at least one of the following statistical software/languages: Stata, R, or Python.

Experience in agricultural risk assessment and analysis, with a proven ability to assess risks across different agricultural value chains and design innovative risk management solutions.

Experience working in and/or knowledge of fragile ecosystems and with vulnerable communities.

Strong background in risk management, including familiarity with tools such as index-based livestock insurance, information systems, impact-based anticipatory action, climate-smart agriculture, and market systems development. Experience with crop index insurance and mixed-agricultural production systems is an added advantage.

A track record of publishing high-quality work in reputable journals.

Strong written and oral communication skills in English with the ability to communicate with diverse audiences.

Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams with minimal supervision, and experience working across disciplines and different cultural backgrounds.

Willingness to mentor junior researchers and graduate fellows.

Willingness to travel frequently to rural and remote areas of project sites in different countries.

Experience with resource mobilization and contributing to project proposals would be an asset.

Communication skills for peer reviewed publications

Programmming skills using R/ Python/ Stata

Familiarity with CGIAR research programs, platforms, innovation accelerators, or global partnerships.

Fluency in French would be an added advantage.