Research Specialist – Agri-business Optimization Economist

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough literature reviews in the agribusiness, startup, and innovation scaling ecosystems, with an emphasis on global trends and their implications for Africa.
• Analyze global agribusiness trends and identify best practices and innovative models from various regions that can be adapted to the African context.
• Contribute to publishing peer-reviewed articles in academic and development practitioner journals, emphasizing the role of agribusiness and private finance in food systems development, supported by international examples.
• Engage with teams across the Alliance as well as the CGIAR more broadly, such as IWMI or working groups like Impact SF & IPSR incorporating cross-cultural perspectives in agribusiness practices and policies.
• Assist in managing projects and components of projects, ensuring alignment with international standards and methodologies.
• Cultivate relationships with key collaborators, including Briter Bridges and Agribusiness Partners, leveraging established networks in the international agribusiness community for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Advocate for policies that support sustainable agribusiness development, informed by international frameworks and best practices.
• Assist in reporting on initiative engagement status and outputs, including implications for investment dynamics in the agribusiness sector.
• Engage in the day-to-day management of project activities, ensuring effective implementation and cross-border collaboration.
• Attend relevant internal meetings and contribute to discussions on strategic directions and opportunities for collaboration.

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD or active enrollment for a PhD in any business or social science discipline, with ongoing or intended doctoral-level research.
• Proven experience in large-scale development project management, particularly in the agribusiness sector across multiple countries or regions.
• Experience engaging companies and researchers, including conducting Key Informant Interviews and outreach efforts.
• Understanding of the African agribusiness ecosystem and experience working directly with agribusinesses, complemented by knowledge of global trends and investment dynamics. Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with climate finance and impact measurement related to DFI, IFI, and other sources of climate finance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to facilitate workshops and engage in cross-cultural dialogue.
• Ability to quickly understand and adapt to new contextual situations while maintaining flexibility and motivation.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the capability to manage multinational projects and ensure effective cross-border collaboration.
• Adaptability to international standards in project management, impact assessment, and agribusiness development.
• Expertise in diverse research methodologies, including mixed methods and participatory approaches applicable to local contexts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to quickly understand and adapt to new contextual situations.  
• Ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations and other groups with the Alliance and CGIAR more broadly.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, Interest and experience working in a fast-paced team within a large research institution.