Socio-economics Researcher/Field Coordinator

World Agroforestry Centre – Vietnam Office

Recruitment of Socio-economics Researcher/Field Coordinator

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]

Project or Program and duration of same:

The V-SCOPE project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and implemented by a consortium of international and national research organizations in period of 2021-2021.  The V-SCOPE will endeavor to support these companies in designing, optimizing and implementing local interventions - such as improved provision of recommended fertilizers or improved capacity to manage sustainable standards (Rainforest alliance, 4C...) - with strong potential to benefit small-scale farmers. Our aim is to collectively identify and address gaps in the current companies’ sustainability programs and business activities in targeted areas for piloted groups of farmers using participatory methods to work together with the different stakeholders engaged in these programs and trade activities. Participatory methods will serve in particular to help reconcile value chain stakeholders’ visions and make them converge towards more resilient and inclusive value chains.

The Position

ICRAF Viet Nam country office is seeking for the dynamic Socio-economic Researcher/Field Coordinator to base in Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak province to work for V-SCOPE project with frequent traveling to project sites in Central Highlands. The position is created to assist in developing and implementing impactful research and interventions for smallholder farmers, and in documenting their outcomes and possible impacts. He/She will work with multiple socio-economic stakeholders and ethnic groups including private companies that source coffee and pepper in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, local collectors, farmers and cooperatives and input providers. The position will be hosted at the Western Highlands Agriculture & Forestry Science Institute (WASI) office, in Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak. The selected candidate will report to both the ICRAF V-SCOPE project coordinator and Work package 4 (WP4) leader. He/She will also work closely with the WP3 co-lead from IPSARD .

Main Responsibilities

1. V-SCOPE research project in Central Highlands (90%)

• Coordinate and conduct field research activities, including research implementation and synthesis into periodic reports. Fieldwork methods will include, among other, quantitative data collection and qualitative interviews, focus group discussions and participatory workshops.
• Participate in the implementation of Village livelihood studies and coordinate field activities, which include: i) selection of 4 case study villages based on clear criteria; ii) interviews across all 4 villages with village leaders, farm owners, farm workers, youth, non-coffee and non-pepper producers, and other identified stakeholders; iii) participant-observation of livelihoods while living in each village (ideally for durations of 2-3 weeks per village); iv) compilation of life histories of elderly residents in each village; v) use of wealth-ranking exercises to understand processes of differentiation and poverty alleviation pathways. Guidance will be provided regarding appropriate questions to ask various stakeholders and a detailed field diary of each interview should be maintained daily.
• Support the conduction of gender qualitative study and coordinate field activities, which includes: i) gender norms in the family and community, ii) labour division and 24-hour time allocation, iii) access to resources, information and technologies, iv) challenges and interests in sustainable production of coffee/black pepper. The methodology is mixed of young/old, men/women focus group discussion and photo taking activity.
• Involve the analysis of the Thailand Viet Nam Socio Economic Panel  (TVSEP) data for Dak Lak Province. Insights from these surveys will feed into qualitative assessment of the role of coffee and pepper production within broader household livelihoods and village social and cultural systems.
• Support the literature review of sustainability indicators and sustainability frameworks used by stakeholders in the Central Highlands.
• Support the implementation of participatory workshops with value chain stakeholders (including supporting trainings of farmers’ groups on basic business skills).
• Contribute to facilitate and/or document the participatory workshops (including contributions to the reports describing the process and the outputs of the workshops).
• Support data collection for monitoring value chain interventions, as well as contribute to data analysis, synthetic reports and actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate and maintain partnership with multiple stakeholders, including master students, ethnic minority advisor, local authorities, village representatives, farmers as well as national and international researchers.
• Join coordination meeting with other team members, participate to project schedules, and ensure the logistics for activities from the value chain and the landscape level work packages of the project, to ensure timely delivery of project activities.

2. Others (10%)

• Represent ICRAF and relevant projects at national and regional events where necessary
• 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:

• MSc degree in a relevant field, including social sciences, rural development, marketing and business development, or environmental sciences. Holding PhD is a merit.
• Publication record will be a major plus.

Minimum Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience for master holder or 1 year experience with PhD holder in a research organization or an NGO.
• Experience conducting a wide variety of qualitative action-research exercises. Expertise in social research including studies with ethnic minorities, gender, or livelihood analysis as well as in quantitative surveys and data analysis are highly desirable. 

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, verbally and in writing, in both English and Vietnamese. Knowledge of a Central Highlands ethnic minority language would be very appreciated.
• Strong drive to learn new topics and skills and to see research and ideas having positive impact in practice. Strong sense of professional pride and curiosity.
• Be independent, rigorous, have excellent social skills, and are passionate and motivated by the social and environmental impact potential of their work.
• Comfort with public speaking and workshop facilitation.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Willing to spend time on the field (across Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Gia Lai provinces), and to occasionally travel to Hanoi and HCMC.
• Enjoy working in an international and multi-cultural environment and produce deliverables in English.
• Having good command of English and computer literate
• Good knowledge of negotiations
• Multi-tasking person and able to work under pressure
• Open to receiving feedbacks from others  

Terms of offer

• Initial three-year contract with a competitive salary, to be renewed until project end.
• 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 – Socio-Economic Researcher/Field Coordinator” on their application letters and email submissions.

Applications will be considered until the 10th February 2022. 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]