The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Post Doctoral Scientist -Agricultural Economist to contribute to ILRI’s assignment under the Risk Management for Vulnerable Populations thematic area of the Livestock Climate and Environment Program.
ILRI is an international organisation working for better lives and better planet through livestock. ILRI’s mission emphasises the interconnections between people, animals, and the environment, aiming to improve the lives of more than 300 million people in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that supports equitable and resilient livestock systems, ultimately contributing to food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. This mission is delivered through two core strategic objectives: co-designing and deploying sustainable, science-based livestock solutions, and leveraging science to inform and influence policy and investment decisions.
ILRI is a member of the CGIAR, a global research alliance that works to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis and is the only CGIAR centre dedicated to addressing multiple development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.
About the position: Livestock keepers and value chains increasingly face multiple interacting risks including climatic, pests and diseases, market instability, land degradation, and conflict. These risks remain a persistent barrier to inclusive development. Building productive and risk-resilient systems requires an evidence-based approach that integrates innovative financing mechanisms, inclusive information systems, early warning and anticipatory action, and market systems resilience. This fellowship will lead research, co-designing, and co-implementation of practical, scalable solutions for de-risking systems, increasing financial inclusion, reducing exposure and sensitivity to shocks, improving productivity and commercialization, and enhancing adaptive capacity for vulnerable populations across intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive livestock systems. In addition, the fellowship will contribute to ILRI’s assignment under the Accelerating Financial Resilience & Insurance for Young African Women in Agrifood Systems (AFIYA) project
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Post location: Nairobi, Kenya
Terms of Appointment: This position is at job level HG16, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a two (2) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive international salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical insurance, life insurance and allowances for: education, housing, security, relocation, and home leave.
Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role, and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. The applications will be addressed to the Head of People and Culture by clicking Apply Now on or before 4 October 2026.
The position title and reference number: REF: PD-LCE/2304-09/2026 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.