CIRAD (https://www.cirad.fr/en) is the French research centre for agricultural development. The ART-Dev and Innovation research units of CIRAD aim to conduct the DeSIRA project, Cocoa4Future (https ://www.cocoa4future.org/en) in Ghana. This call for applications seeks a qualified Research Assistant to carry out the following tasks and responsibilities in collaboration with the project team:
- Deepen understanding of the institutional environment of the cocoa sector through semi-direct interviews
- Conduct literature review on organizational innovations in Ghana
- Organise, facilitate and document focus group discussions with cocoa farmers on certification scheme impact pathways
- Support the implementation of a survey on the impact of certification schemes in the cocoa sector in the Eastern Region
- Contribute to quantitative data analysis, including counterfactual impact evaluation methods
- Support writing of the research reports
- Participate in the annual research workshop to share and compare the results with the team in Cote d’Ivoire
- Any other activity in connection with the above, deemed necessary to achieve the intended results of this position
1. Education, qualifications and work experience:
MA or MPhil degree in economics, agricultural economics, or other social sciences
The following skills and experiences will be appreciated:
- Experience in research-for-development, in particular, related to the cocoa value chain
- Familiarity with participatory research and data collection and analysis;
- Practical experience with qualitative and quantitative impact assessment;
- Experience working in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams and managing several major activities simultaneously, proven ability to achieve project targets and objectives;
- Demonstrated high level of proficiency in writing and editing professional technical reports and other products;
- Ability to work under high pressure, meet deadlines, monitor and follow up on pending matters under minimum supervision;
- Use of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and PPT)
- Willing to travel and work in rural areas;
- The candidate must be fluent in both English and Twi; this will be strictly assessed during the recruitment process. Knowledge of French language will be an asset but not mandatory.
2. Selection Modality:
The selection will be done in 2 steps:
- shortlist through file analysis
- interview
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on the 9th of February and the contract signed on the 13th of February
3. Equity in employment:
We encourage applications from women, men, young people who believe they meet the requirements of the position.
4. Contract conditions
- Full-time commitment between February and July 2023, renewable.
- Service contract with payment at the end of each month (5000GHC), determined by the achievement of deliverables
- Additionally, the project will cover transportation expenses for fieldwork
- The research assistant will be hosted at ISSER and Stepri in the Cirad offices, and might be asked to come to the office every day.
- The research assistant will work under the supervision of three economists
- The research assistant will use her/his laptop and related devices/accessories
5. Application:
The application file shall include the following documents:
- a detailed curriculum vitae, including three referees and their contacts
- a letter of motivation (maximum of one page; including the full name of the candidate, his full address, phone number, and email address);
- a copy of the applicant's thesis and any relevant publications
- a copy of the Ghana card;
- copies of all relevant academic and professional certificates;
Applications should be sent latest by February 4th, 2023, to the below email:
