POSITION TITLE: Research Associate (S6/P1)

LOCATION: Kathmandu

REPORTS TO: Associate Director, Monitoring and Evaluation  

DURATION: 19 months

BACKGROUND

The USAID/Nepal-funded KISAN II project works in Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces, including 8 focus districts (Kanchanpur, Kailali, Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet, Dang, Palpa and Kapilvastu). The purpose of the project is to increase resilience, inclusiveness, and sustainability of income growth in the Feed the Future Zone of Influence. KISAN II helps private sector change agents to catalyze agricultural productivity, competitive market systems, and a stronger enabling environment for households in Zones of Influence. As part of a 24-month supplemental scope (extension), KISAN II is supporting the GON’s response to the impact of COVID-19 in agriculture and is promoting transformation in the fine rice and industrial maize sub-sectors. The project coordinates closely with the private sector and the Federal, Provincial, and Local Government. 

Similarly, KISAN II anticipates new work under an additional Supplementary Scope of Work to respond to the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war on household food security and incomes in Nepal through the US Government’s Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (AUSAA). KISAN II will generate “quick wins” in productivity and income generation for 35,000 households in the KISAN II ZOI who are affected by the global food crisis caused by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This will be achieved by 1) expanding access to irrigation; and 2) diversifying household production of rice, maize, and high-value vegetables to mitigate losses stemming from an anticipated shortage of chemical fertilizers in the coming seasons.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position, under the overall supervision and guidance of Associate Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, the Research Associate will be responsible for research and learning activities related to a) transformation of the fine rice and industrial maize sub-sectors and b) productivity enhancement/income generation through expanded access to irrigation and by diversification of household production of rice, maize, and high-value vegetables. S/he will work closely with project component leads, MEL and program staff, and project partners to ensure that research findings are accurate, timely, complete, and evidence based. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

The specific responsibilities are specified below: 

• Support to implement research agenda for irrigation and transformation of fine rice and industrial maize in consultation with program team. 
• Take a leading role in conducting mini field surveys and interviews with farmers and other stakeholders; analyze the information for inclusion in periodic project reports. 
• Assist in monitoring learning, and evaluation and reporting efforts by providing quality input and reports in a timely manner (as indicated by component lead, supervisor and MEL Director).
• Contribute to the training and updating of knowledge and research techniques to the MEL staff and keep updated on new research techniques, results or processes.
• Perform research and statistical analysis of the information collected on production and marketing of targeted value chains.  
• Conduct any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQURIEMENTS:

Education: Master’s degree in agriculture, social science, research, statistics, or other related field. 

Experience: The ideal candidate will have the following experience:

• At least 1 year of relevant experience on data collection, processing, and reporting.
• Knowledge and familiar with MS Excel, Word, and Outlook, SPSS or equivalent
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written with fluency in both English and Nepali required. 
• Willingness to travel in the field.
• Must be a Nepali citizen

Disclaimer: This position is contingent upon donor approval.  Winrock does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (resume submission, interview, processing). 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates can post their cover letter and CV to [email protected] within September 21, 2022. Applicants should reference Research Associate in the subject line. Applications received after the stipulated date will not be entertained.

Female and disadvantaged community candidates are highly encouraged to apply.