AfricaRice Research Assistant ‐ Rice Value Chain Economist

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) wishes to employ a highly qualified Research Assistant ‐ Rice Value Chain Economist who will be based at Dar‐es‐Salam, Tanzania. This position ishoused in the Multinational‐CGIAR Project on Support to Agricultural Research for development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD‐SC), which is funded by the African Development Bank. This invitation for applications follows the general procurement notice AfDB43‐04/12 for this project that was published in UN Development Business online on 27 April, 2012.

About AfricaRice

AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an autonomous intergovernmental association of African member countries

Responsibilities

The Research Assistant – Rice Value Chain Economist will work under the direct supervision of the Rice Value Chain Expert / AfricaRice in Dar‐es‐Salaam, Tanzania, or his duly assigned representative. S/he will attend to all activities related to rice value chain economy at AfricaRice, working in Program 3 ‘Policy, Innovation Systems and Impact Assessment’. The position is part of a multi‐disciplinary research team working to sustain and improve the productivity of rice‐based systems in Africa in line with AfricaRice’s mission and mandate.

He/she will undertake the following functions:

-        Assist in strategic and applied economics research and support activities aimed at providing a better understanding of the market, institutional and organizational factors favoring or constraining the sustainable development of rice value chains;

-        Attend to the relevant institutional economics, consumer preference and impact assessment research activities;

-        Provide assistance to the development of economic and value chain analysis tools for use by national researchers in Africa through collaboration, networking, provision of technical assistance and training;

-        Management and statistical analysis of research data;

-        Contributing to the preparation of presentations, writing technical reports and other scientific publications in English;

-        Carrying out any other professional duties as needs arise within AfricaRice.

Requirements:

Education: MSc degree in economics or a related field;

Work Experience At least 5 years of experience in agriculture, research and development;working experience / exposure to international organizations and interdisciplinary agricultural research;

Key competencies/abilities required: Working experience in Africa and knowledgeof rice‐based systems are considered important assets; The applicant should be able to take initiatives and work satisfactorily with a minimum supervision in a multicultural setting; the applicant should be prepared for extensive work‐related travel within the research area of AfricaRice.

Language

Fluency in oral and written English, while knowledge of French and/or Swahili are considered important assets;

Terms and Conditions

·       This is a General Support Staff (GSS) position.

·       AfricaRice provides an attractive salary and benefits package and a collegial and gender‐sensitive working environment.

·       The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility for renewal.

Application procedure

Candidates should send an application (including a cover letter and a detailed CV with the following information: Name, surname, gender, date of birth, family status, nationality, certificates obtained, professional experience (stating clearly beginning and end dates of each experience: day, month, year), language skills (French/English), and the names and addresses (including telephone / fax / email) of three referees.

To apply for this position, please send your applications

To: A.Kpadonou@cgiar.org with the following mention in subject “Recruitment process‐Research Assistant‐Rice Value Chain Economist”

Or to the following address: Head, Human Resources Service, AfricaRice, 01 B.P. 2031,Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Applications will be considered until Sunday, June 16, 2013.

AfricaRice believes that staff diversity promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages applications from women and developing country professionals.

AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at:

Deadline : June 16,2013