Senior Research Associate-D4RABs The Alliance of Bioversity International

The Alliance of Bioversity International delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

About the position
The Senior Research Associate will support the implementation of the Alliance’s Diversity for Resilient Agroforestry Banana plantations in East Africa (D4RABs) project aimed at Improving the resilience of the livelihoods of banana producers to food and nutrition insecurity and climate change, and to restore the (intra- and inter-species) diversity of the landscape and thus its resilience to a variety of stressors and the foresight research activities that offer better insights into alternative transformation pathways to inform choices and sharpen decision-making leading to more productive, sustainable and inclusive food, land and water systems in the future

The position will be based at Alliance office at Kawanda with travel to other research sites and farming communities within and outside Uganda.

Key duties & responsibilities
• Lead the implementation of project activities in Uganda at the target beneficiaries’ level; represent the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT and participate fully in stakeholder meetings related to the project.
• Develop and lead the M&E activities under the D4RABs’ project and participate in other related project activities.
Participate in the synthesis and compilation of literature on existing models for pest and disease (P&D) and indicate how these models can be used to extrapolate parameters required for estimating actual yield losses attributed to P&D (such as Fusarium wilt Race 4) in IMPACT/RIAPA.
• Support WP3 under the foresight Initiative on the inventory of models by scanning through the list of models identified (including biodiversity, pests, and disease models etc.) and populating the inventory with basic information detailing the application of each model to enrich the database.
• Support and supervise project consultants and interns to ensure that the agreed terms of reference are achieved and manage performance appraisal of supervised staff.
Coordinate project activities in collaboration with national research organizations, international and local partners.
• Participate in development of collaborative projects as a way of increasing the funding base.
• Participate in planning and budgeting for project activities such as workshops and other field activities.

Requirements
• Master of Science degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural economics, or related field from a recognized university.
• Training in forestry/agro-forestry is an added advantage.
At least 7 years’ experience carrying out research and/or development work in the field of agriculture.
• At least 3 publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Key experience in introducing innovative technical solutions to enhance the resilience of food systems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting and facilitating multi-stakeholder’s processes including interacting with policy- and decision makers at various levels, communities, private sector, and intergovernmental bodies.
Extent and relevance of experience in strengthening inclusive local and national food supply in particular market and value chain development.
• Experience in supervision of technical experts and project consultants.
• Experience in successful resource mobilization.
• Proficient in data collection, data analysis (STATA).
• Possess capacity building and awareness creation skills.
Ability to write technical reports and possess good communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, but also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Commitment to organization’s mission and core values.