Research Officer – Scaling and Impact – CIMMYT

Reference number: 202643

Job status: In-progress

Job category: Local Position

Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya

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CIFOR-ICRAF

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a

Research Officer – Scaling and Impact – CIMMYT

Overview

About our organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit: cimmyt.org

CIMMYT is hosted by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), a member of the CGIAR that is headquartered on United Nations Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya. We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry by accessing our web sites: www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org

CIMMYT is looking for a:
Research Officer – Scaling and Impact
The Research Officer – Scaling and Impact supports the design and delivery of applied socio-economic research across CIMMYT’s Africa portfolio. The role contributes to framing and analyzing adoption, market access, resilience, and impact pathways for sustainable intensification. Working under the guidance of senior scientists, the incumbent conceptualizes studies, designs survey tools, manages field data collection, and leads statistical and econometric analysis. The position also supports the generation of high-quality outputs including technical reports, policy briefs, spatial visualizations, and peer-reviewed publications. Beyond analytics, the role includes stakeholder engagement, cross-project coordination, and contribution to proposal development and institutional learning. This reflects a progression from operational support to an integrative role at the interface of research, partnerships, and delivery systems.

Duties and responsibilities

1.Design and execute
socio-economic research studies.

  • on adoption, resilience, market
    access, and impact pathways

  • to generate evidence that informs
    program targeting, scaling strategies, and policy engagement.

2.Manage and
coordinate field data collection activities.

  • for large-scale household and
    community-level surveys across diverse geographies

  • to ensure timely, high-quality, and
    context-relevant data capture.

3.Analyze primary and
secondary datasets using advanced statistical and econometric techniques.

  • across diverse research questions and
    geographies

  • to derive insights that support
    evidence-based decision-making and scientific publication.

4.Produce technical
reports, policy briefs, and spatial visualizations.

  • targeted to internal teams,
    implementing partners, and policymakers

  • to support knowledge translation,
    stakeholder engagement, and institutional visibility.

5.Maintain research
data infrastructure and quality assurance systems.

  • including harmonized databases and
    replicable code repositories

  • to ensure transparency, replicability,
    and long-term usability of socio-economic datasets.

6.Contribute to
stakeholder engagement, and inter-project learning.

  • across institutional platforms and
    external partnerships

  • to strengthen CIMMYT’s role as a
    knowledge partner and expand resource mobilization potential.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree or higher in
    economics, statistics, agricultural economics, computer science, or a related
    quantitative or natural sciences field, with emphasis on computational and
    empirical methods.

  • At least 3 years of progressively
    responsible experience in applied socio-economic research, particularly in
    agriculture, rural development, or impact assessment.

  • Proven expertise in survey design,
    field data collection management, and quantitative analysis of household or
    farm-level data.

Education, knowledge and experience

  • Master’s degree or higher in economics, statistics, agricultural economics, computer science, or a related quantitative or natural sciences field, with emphasis on computational and empirical methods.
  • At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in applied socio-economic research, particularly in agriculture, rural development, or impact assessment.
  • Proven expertise in survey design, field data collection management, and quantitative analysis of household or farm-level data.

Terms and conditions

  • This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. In Kenya, employment contracts are issued under ICRAF in compliance with Kenyan labour law. Locally recruited staff are eligible for a non-contributory pension scheme, comprehensive medical insurance, paid annual and statutory leave, and learning and development opportunities in line with CIFOR-ICRAF policies.
  • The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
  • The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates.

Application process

The application deadline is 21 Jul 2026.

We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.