Research Officer – Index Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI)

Vacancy Number: A/034/14
Program: Livestock Systems and the Environment Program
Duration: Two years contract

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Officer – Index Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) who will be a member of the Livestock Systems and the Environment Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

General: The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality livestock science, communications and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development. ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ILRI has campuses in Kenya (headquarters) and Ethiopia, with other offices located in other regions of Africa (Mali, Mozambique, and Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam) and East Asia (China).  

Under the guidance of project leader, the Research Officer – Index Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) is responsible to provide, implement research protocols and collect data in a number of areas that contribute to natural resources management.

Key duties & responsibilities:

• Manages the implementation of field surveys including the training and supervision of enumerators and facilitators; coordinating all the necessary field logistics including accommodation, transport, etc., of the field team; maintains budgets, equipment and handling administrative issues required for successful field work,
• Coordinates the proper management of data, including proper storage, cleaning and preliminary analysis,
• Supports all Index Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) related activities in Ethiopia. This includes organizing and hosting trainings, workshops, presentations, field trips and meetings with and for relevant stakeholders and project partners,
• Supports current IBLI and potential partners, which includs insurance companies (eg OIC), Cooperatives, microfinance institutions, NGOs, etc., with day-to-day operations, and provides overall program management and troubleshooting,
• Develops new and strengthen existing partnerships and maintains good relationships with key IBLI stakeholders from partners down to community leaders, elders and the target clientele,
• Compiles regular reports on the state of the project spanning from data summaries, workshop and trip reports, project briefs etc.,
• Supports the implementation agenda to ensure that it is pursued in a timely and comprehensive manner. This includes providing technical backstopping for product training and delivery to relevant stakeholders,
• Helps to set the foundations for the expansion of IBLI beyond the pilot site and contributes to the development of the index-based livestock insurance industry in Ethiopia,
• Assists with the writing of IBLI related publications as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:  
Education

• MSc degree or Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Rural Development or other similar social science discipline.

Experience:

• At least five years of relevant experience working in research and development requiring field experience, extensive partnership engagement and management of a team.

Skills:

• Demonstrated skills and experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Knowledge and experience with database and analysis tools (Access, SPSS, STATA, SNA)
• Practical understanding of a variety of tasks in a system i.e. methods, systems and processes.  Knowledge and insight are required for the application of practical methods and techniques, work procedures and processes and/or proficiency in the specialized use of materials, equipment and tools.
• Good organization skills and ability to communicate well orally and in writing.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa.

Grade: 3B

Minimum Base:    Birr 34,128 (Negotiable, depending on experience, skill and salary history of the candidate)

Terms of appointment:  This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position, initial appointment is fixed term for two years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc. The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.  Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number: REF: A/034/14 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com on or before 19 June 2014.

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.