World Agroforestry Centre – Vietnam Office
Recruitment of Market and Value Chains Researcher
About our organization
The World Agroforestry Centre (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry or ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role which trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.
The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 34 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.
To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org [1]
The Position
ICRAF Viet Nam country office is seeking for the dynamic Market and Value-chain Researcher to base and work for office in Ha Noi with frequent traveling to project sites in Vietnam. The position is created to principly contribute to two existing projects funded by Swedish Research Council on agroforestry (AF) for sustainable development in the Northwest of Viet Nam, an IFAD funded Sustainable Farming in Tropical Asian Landscapes, and a future project to be funded by ACIAR on coffee and pepper sustainability in the Central Highlands of Vietnam (to start in November 2020).
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Agroforestry for sustainable development projects (funded by Swedish Research Council) with SLU (25%)
- Contribute to identification and assessment of alternative agroforestry options (economic, environmental, social indicators incl. resilience).
- Contribute to the development, test and evaluation of the selected redesigned AF practices and market linkages with communities in exemplar landscapes and/or integrated landscapes or AF demonstration sites.
- Contribute to the assessment of enabling factors and obstacles for wider adoption; update review of national and sub-national policies and programmes, and present and potential market actors for market-based agroforestry practices and products (value-chains, product development, product quality)
2. IFAD funded Sustainable Farming in Tropical Asian Landscapes (SFITAL) (35%)
- Contribute to rice value chain and market research and development activities through working with local and international stakeholders, as well as relevant local government officials;
- Contribute to the development of relevant training and extension materials, and delivery of training sessions in collaboration with project partners;
- Support the organization and facilitation of stakeholder consultation workshops and meetings at national and local levels, in collaboration with project partners;
- Contribute to the establishment, maintenance of pilot activities in the field and development of participatory monitoring systems;
- Contribute to the documentation of methodology, practical tools and field guidelines for scaling up, based on experience from the pilot and field activities.
3. ACIAR funded coffee and pepper research in Central Highlands (30%)
- Contribute to value chain and market research on coffee, pepper and fruit trees, including extensive data collection and sharing through working with local and international stakeholders of these commodities, as well as relevant local and national government officials;
- Provide proactive scientific support in on-farm and value-chain surveys and participatory development approaches on coffee, pepper and fruit agroforestry and socio-economic research through working with local research and extension partners, international partners (Australian partners, CGIAR and CIRAD), partners of the coffee and pepper private sectors involved in farmer service provision and sustainable sourcing, as well as relevant local government officials;
- Co-lead the development of training and extension materials, and training sessions in collaboration with local research and extension partners, international partners (Australian, CGIAR, and CIRAD), partners of the coffee and pepper private sectors involved in extension work, as well as relevant local government officials;
- Take charge of supervising and managing staff (research assistants, field technicians) reporting to the position, when needed;
4. Others (10%)
- Represent ICRAF and relevant projects at national and regional events where necessary
- Contribute to research on markets and value-chains where relevant.
- Contribute to academic publications based on relevant research/ study results
- Contribute to the development of relevant concept notes and project proposals dealing with agricultural value chains and markets.
- Perform other tasks as deemed necessary
Qualifications and Skills Required
Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications:
- Master degree in agricultural economics, agro-business, or related fields
- Proven of publication records is an merit
Minimum Work Experience:
- At least five years of relevant experience, preferably related to value chain, market, agribusiness, economic analysis and certification in agricultural products in Viet Nam
- Experience in working with not-for-profit organizations, government institutions and private sector.
- Experience in agroforestry, coffee and/or pepper sectors will be a major plus.
Skiils and Compentencies
- Well organized; able to meet deadlines
- Having good command of English
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well in multi-cultural teams.
- Demonstrating effective written and verbal communication skills
- Generating creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
- Computer literate
- Good knowledge of negotiations
- Good understanding of time management
- Multi-tasking person and able to work under pressure
- Open to receiving feedbacks from others
Terms of offer
- Initial two-year contract with a competitive salary.
- The contract is subject to 3 (three) monthsprobation period, assessment of performance and availability of resources
How to apply
Applications for the position must include:
- A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements
- A detailed curriculum vitae.
- The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, and email address
All correspondence should be addressed to the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Office Hanoi, at the 13th floor, HCMCC building, 249A Thuy Khue street, Tay Ho district, Hanoi, Vietnam OR via email: [email protected]. [2] Applicants should indicate “Application – Market and Value Chains Researcher” on their application letters and email submissions.
Applications will be considered until the 31st May 2020. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
ICRAF believes that staff diversity promotes excellence, and strongly encourages local-based candidates to apply. We invite you to learn more about ICRAF at our web site:
www.worldagroforestry.org/regions/southeast_asia/vietnam [3]