ICPALD Socio-economist

Position Title: Socio-economist  
Post level: P4 (IGAD Position Grade)
Duty Station: ICPALD Office, Nairobi, Kenya
Accountable to: Coordinator,  ICPALD
Division/Department: Livestock Program, IGAD Center for Pastoral Area and Livestock Development (ICPALD)

1.    Job Summary
Under the overall supervision of the Coordinator, ICPALD, the Socio-economist will develop, implement, follow up and monitor the portfolio of policy and socio-economic activities to support ICPALD’s advancement, its initiatives and operations. The Socio-economist will create an organizational culture and develop a technological infrastructure that encourages the sharing of socio-economic knowledge, information and/or data. The Socio-economist will develop, implement, follow up and monitor the portfolio of policy and socio-economic activities and related socio-economic, production, bio-security and biodiversity training included in the projects implemented by ICPALD

2.     Core Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent shall: 

i.    In collaboration with AU-IBAR, MS and development partners, implement specific activities at national and regional level in the support of the project related to surveillance systems, disease control, animal identification, traceability and certification among others.
ii.    In collaboration with AU-IBAR, MS and development partners, contribute to the development of regional strategies for socio-economics support to the livestock, crop agriculture and dry land development projects in the IGAD region,
iii.    In collaboration with AU-IBAR, MS and development partners, contribute to the elaboration of a regional strategy for the control of trans-boundary animal diseases; fisheries and livestock production and marketing; dry land agriculture ; use of shared natural resources, including underground and surface water, range, artisanal minerals and non-wood forest products (NWFPs); and management of resource conflicts in ASALs in the region, 
iv.    Assist in the preparation and formulation of concept notes, proposals and technical livestock, crop agriculture and dry land development policy briefs undertaken by ICPALD
v.    Contribute to the development of guidelines for mitigation of livelihoods shocks due to the presence of TADs, climate extremes, among others. 
vi.    Contribute to the lobbying and interaction to strengthen the ICPALD including prospection for new projects related to the portfolio of socio-economic, production, biosecurity and biodiversity of the dry lands including the livestock sector,
vii.    Contribute to the implementation of the ``Enhancing prevention and control of Rift Valley Fever and other vector-borne diseases in the IGAD region , 
viii.    Promote the safe fish and livestock production approach based on the existing regional poultry Biosecurity guidelines as a model for a broader scheme for Biosecurity and prevention of zoo noses especially amongst school children and young adults under school feeding programmes, 
ix.    To conduct and coordinate gap and growth analysis of the MS’s agricultural economy
x.    To carry out and coordinate modeling, making projections, forecasting, variance analysis and outcome monitoring of state’s agricultural sector to support short term and long term planning in the state
xi.    To carry out and coordinate pilot projects and research studies in emerging and critical areas of the IGAD MS’ agriculture economy towards supporting economic planning in the state
xii.    To prepare ToRs for research studies, participate in procuring consultants to carry out the studies, monitor and manage the consultancy contracts and finalize the study reports
xiii.    Contribute in the preparation of regular reports on the progress of the projects implemented by ICPALD and others in the pipeline 
xiv.    Perform any related duties as required by the ICPALD Coordinator or ES, IGAD. 

3.    Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
a.    Essential requirements

i.    At least a master’s degree in socio-economics, agric-economics, livestock-economics, community or rural development with economics major, , economics or related discipline,
ii.    At least 10 years’ experience in project management and / or conducting  mission formulation and monitoring of national programmes; with a proven experience and track record on issues related to dry land agriculture and/or livestock production, 
iii.    The candidate should also have a proven practical experience of socio-economic studies of  projects and programs implemented in dry lands and/or in the livestock sector 
iv.    Working knowledge of institutional, economic and social development of the IGAD region; 
v.    Knowledge of the dry lands and livestock sector and social sectors in IGAD; Good knowledge of survey methods and economic or financial calculations,
vi.    Demonstrated experience in social science and economics research and their use in a rural development context,
vii.    Experience and demonstrated success in the application of equitable social science and economics to development issues,
viii.    Demonstrated experience in analyzing development issues, including gender equality or mainstreaming skills into such research and/or application,
ix.    Be well versed with regional and national development issues in IGAD Region, especially the situation for women and youth in artisan mining and animal and crop agriculture.
x.    Fluency in written and spoken English

b.    Desirable requirement

xi.    Experience with rural development or agricultural farming systems in at least two of the IGAD member states,
xii.    PhD will be a definite advantage
xiii.    Knowledge of crop agriculture is a definite advantage, 
xiv.    Experience in training and mentoring,
xv.    Project management skills,
xvi.    Knowledge of institutional development,
xvii.    Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, implement and review complex systems and applications;
xviii.    Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and provide leadership and direction to others;
xix.    Ability to analyze and review operational procedures, identify problem areas and optimize performance through procedural changes,
xx.    Strong communication, relationship and people management skills
xxi.    Professionalism, personal initiative and good judgment
xxii.    High level organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet targets
xxiii.    Ability to work under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality is crucial;
xxiv.    Demonstrated ability to make recommendations and use independent judgment;
xxv.    Ability to interact and collaborate with professionals at all levels within and external to the organization and Senior government officials;
xxvi.    Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate and generate reports

Language requirements: Fluency in English and working knowledge of the French     

Tenure: The initial appointment will be for twelve calendar months renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

Procedures for submission of applications:

1. Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals from the IGAD region.  Interested persons should submit their applications, with copies of their updated CVs and scanned certificates by close of business on the 21st May 2013 to the following address:

Director Administration and Finance
BP 2653 Djibouti
Email: " hr@igad.int and
ICPALD - rose.tsuma@igad.int,
with copies to the Coordinator ICPALD
e-mail muchina.munyua@igad.int

2. In the Subject line, please write:  Ref: HR12333 Socio-economist