ICRISAT seeks applications for the position of Scientist – MLE Specialist. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a non-profit, non-confessional and non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi-arid tropics is home to over 2 billion people, with 650 million of these being the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower those living in the semi-arid tropics, especially smallholder farmers, to overcome poverty, hunger, malnutrition and a degraded environment through more efficient and profitable agriculture. ICRISAT, established in 1972, and is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. For more details, visit www.icrisat.org.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide a strong foundation for tracking the implementation of activities and achievements of deliverables in TL-III, HOPE II, AVISA, CRP-GLDC and Theme Seed Systems.
  • Develop, refine and operationalize dynamic Project Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (PMEAL) tool in consultation with project team and management.
  • Document project progress for review by the donor and the broader public to ensure proper monitoring of the project through the PMEAL process.
  • Identify risks in the process of project implementation and periodically suggest ways of mitigation for further discussion with project management and the donor
  • Establish and implement a gender monitoring system capable of reporting on gender empowerment and female participation in decision-making that is compatible with the CGIAR’s gender monitoring system for legume crops
  • Track project outputs, intermediate outcomes and primary outcomes as a basis for reporting impact metrics
  • Review project key performance indicators and means of assessment against these indicators and the ideas identified and selected for implementation
  • With the Gender Scientist, establish a gender monitoring system module linked to the PMEAL capable of reporting on gender empowerment and female participation in decision-making in line with the CGIAR’s CRP GLDC gender monitoring system
  • Review project key performance indicators and means of assessment against these indicators and the ideas identified and selected for implementation
  • With the Gender Scientist, establish a gender monitoring system module linked to the PMEAL capable of reporting on gender empowerment and female participation in decision-making in line with the CGIAR’s CRP GLDC gender monitoring system
  • Track TL-III/HOPEII/AVISA/GLDC data collection across all objectives and countries
  • Track implementation of project milestones, outputs and outcomes in the target countries
  • Track development and implementation of Program Improvement Plans of the Breeding Program Assessment Tool (BPAT) in the NARS breeding programs
  • Track the establishment in Regional Crop Improvement Hubs (RCIHs) and implementation of breeding modernization
  • Establish and maintain of PMEAL database on ICRISAT’s MEASURE digital platform
  • Maintain an internal communication mechanism through the monthly distribution of MLE updates to the project coordinator
  • Collate annual project reports from respective partners and compile the overall global annual project reports for onward submission to the donor
  • Support socioeconomics research work at ICRISAT in designing data collection tools, training partners in data collection and supporting the unit in database management
  • Conduct advanced adoption and impact assessment analysis of ICRISAT technologies and/or interventions using econometric models in standard statistical software (SPSS and STATA)
  • Present research findings in international workshops and conferences
  • Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals
  • Participate in fundraising initiatives of ICRISAT 

Requirements:

PhD in Agricultural Economics, Operational Research, Statistics, Development Studies or related discipline. A minimum of 5 years of experience in MLE at an acclaimed institution will be an added advantage.

Competencies:

  • Experience in monitoring and evaluating development programs with a good understanding of Sub-Saharan Africa development context, with an aptitude for technical report writing and good understanding of PMEAL Systems and Frameworks.
  • Very strong analytical skills, with expert knowledge of standard statistical software packages (SPSS and STATA)
  • Excellent writing skills and the ability to document clearly and succinctly for internal and external audiences
  • Strong organizational skills, client orientation and communication skills, and an ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
  • Skills and experience in general monitoring and evaluation tools of (e.g.: Knowledge Practice Coverage Quality Assurance Sampling and qualitative research) and statistical software packages such as SPSS and STATA
  • Specific experience in monitoring and evaluation tools of BMGF funded projects (Results Framework and Tracker and Global Monitoring Framework) will be an added advantage
  • Thorough familiarity with principles and current approaches to monitoring, learning and evaluation of development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
  • Demonstrated ability for performance measurements (indicator selection; quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methodologies; database management etc.)
  • Excellent communications and report writing skills in English.
  • Flexibility for frequent travel out of the duty station. Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment
  • Knowledge of statistical tools and big data management
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Good publication record, as evidenced by research papers in refereed journals.
  • Ability and willingness to participate in fieldwork and travel extensively

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Dynamic PMEAL tools developed and refined for the projects
  • Project databases developed and maintained;
  • Efficient gender monitoring system established and integrated within ICRISAT projects;
  • Project performance indicators developed and tracked
  • Implementation of BPAT in both RCIHs and NARS tracked
  • Implementation of project milestones tracked
  • Timely submission of high-quality project-specific donor reports 

General:

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff [IRS] position initially for 3 Years, and extendable depending on the performance of the incumbent and the institute’s continuing need for the position.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply on or before 16 August, 2019; with a letter of motivation, latest curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Please CLICK HERE to submit your application

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer

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