Research Assistant- Shor term contract

Background

The CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme aims to enable smallholder farmers to grow safer and higher quality foods through sustainable crop production. Through one of its objectives, the programme will more specifically increase the supply of and demand for safer, higher quality and locally produced food in domestic markets. This will involve supporting farmers to adopt voluntary production standards which will ultimately increase their market share and financial benefit. To achieve this objective, we plan to undertake preliminary studies contributing to the engagement and design of project activities.

Purpose of the role:

The Research Assistant will carry out a wide variety of projects tasks in supporting CABI in Africa with emphasis on Plantwise Plus and participate in the design of the research tools, data collection and analysis and report preparation.

Key accountabilities:

1. Farmer group study

• Delve into the different types of farmer groups and document success and failures across the regions, to identify any patterns;
• undertake a review of how other studies have evaluated effectiveness of farmer groups.

1. Adoption of standards

• propose a set of criteria to evaluate farmer groups relating to adoption of standards;
• map recommendations to support effectiveness of farmer groups against quality criteria;
• development of standards assessment tool to enhance the adoption rate of standards among small holders.

1. Market study:

• survey of selected markets including an understanding of standards employed and incentives for traders and farmers. The study will consider specific value chains: tomatoes, cabbages, kales (Sukuma wiki), capsicum, and bananas (etc.).

About you:

• At least a Master’s Degree in agricultural sciences;
• Experience with market analysis and value chain development, organisational capacity assessment, research skills and technical report writing;
• Knowledge of local farmer voluntary production standards and Global GAP is desirable;
• Experience with statistical analytical software e.g STATA;
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills;
• Proficiency in computer skills and ability to use data base programs;
• Able to work independently and remain focussed.