Market and Value-Chain Researcher (ICRAF)

About our organization

The International Center for Research in Agroforestry (also known as the World 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

Project/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 2021-2025. 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 project "Partnering with trading companies to sustainably enhance smallholders’ livelihood in the Central Highlands of Vietnam through pilot chain interventions towards high-quality Robusta coffee" is an add-on to the V-SCOPE project and funded by ACIAR (2023-2025). This add-on project intends to test pathways to improve the current low profile coffee towards high-quality product segments through co-design and co-investment with coffee companies, and to derive and share innovative learnings from these.

Job Details

The position of value-chain and agribusiness researcher is created to conduct research in a multi-disciplinary team composed of national and international experts, working at different scales from laboratory and farm to value chain and landscape levels under the ACIAR funded coffee and pepper research in the Central Highlands of Vietnam (V-SCOPE project; 2021-2025); and notably to coordinate and monitor the implementation of innovative pilots co-designed with coffee private companies and cooperatives to test high quality Robusta upgrading potential and improved input service provision in Central Highlands.

Location: Hanoi

Deadline: 20/8/2023

Terms of offer: Initial two-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

Main Responsibilities

1. Value chain pilot coordination and monitoring (35%): in close coordination with IPSARD research team

Coordinate pilot/prototype activities with the private companies and cooperatives, the quality expert consultants, local input providers and the local authorities involved in the pilots:
Building on the pilot designs and associated workplans agreed upon with private partners, ensure the actual establishment, timely implementation, and coordinate the possible needs for adjustments of the value chain pilot activities in the field for the 3 V-SCOPE pilots.
Including the setting and conduction in the field of the participatory monitoring systems (with local authorities’ participation):

Co-chair the pilot technical committees

Collaborate and maintain on a routine basis the partnership with the companies, cooperatives, quality experts and local provincial and district level authorities, and ensure timely implementation of the activities and investment (combining periodic reporting to the project coordinator with local feedbacks to pilot stakeholders)

Contribute to maintaining the cohesion and development of good practices and trust among value chain actors, proactively identifying ways to increase engagement of local stakeholders and opportunities to make the value chain development processes more efficient and inclusive.

2. Value-chain research (50%): in close coordination with IPSARD research team

Conduct field research and desk study research activities on value chains and markets for coffee and black pepper, 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.

Fieldwork methods will include, among others, quantitative data collection and qualitative interviews, focus group discussions and participatory workshops.

Coordinate field research activities with other research partners, private partners and local stakeholders (mainly with regard to the pilot activities but also to a lesser extent in relation to other project activities)

Including ensuring proper data collection (e.g., on-farm surveys) for monitoring the pilots/ prototypes together with the V-SCOPE project officer and data manager

Take charge of supervising and managing staff (research assistants, field technicians) reporting to the position, when needed.

And overall, contribute to data analysis, synthetic reports. and actionable recommendations, mainly regarding value chain pilot activities and to a lesser extent regarding other project activities:

Contribute to the assessment of enabling factors and obstacles for pilot broader development and possible upscaling.

Contribute to the documentation of methodology, practical tools. and field guidelines for scaling up, based on experience from the pilot and field activities.

Lead (author) and co-author academic peer-reviewed publications based on relevant research/ study results, with possible guidance from the project coordinator and other research partners as relevant.

3. WP coordinator: Project management (10%): coordinate closely with the co-lead from IPSARD the Work package (WP) 3 of the V-SCOPE project on “Co-designing local value chain improvements and enhancing national public private dialogue.”

Join project coordination meetings with other national and international (Australian partners, CGIAR and CIRAD) team members, participate to project schedules, and supervise the logistics and partners arrangements for WP3 activities, to ensure timely delivery of project activities.

Ensure periodic synthetic reporting for internal and external communication purpose, and development of external communication materials, coordinating closely with the project communication officer and the project officer.

4. Others (5%)

Contribute to academic publications based on relevant research/ study results.

Represent ICRAF and relevant projects at national and regional events where necessary.

Ensure efficiency in the utilization of ICRAF resources.

Contribute to fund raising for project up-scaling, notably to develop the next phase project proposal, and more generally, 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’s degree in agricultural economics, agrobusiness or related fields.
Publication record will be a major plus.

Minimum Work Experience:

At least five years of relevant experience, preferably related to value chain, market, agribusiness, economic analysis, and quality management in agricultural products in Viet Nam
Experience in working with the private sector and with not-for-profit organizations, government institutions.
Experience in the coffee sector will be a major plus.

Skills and Competencies

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well in multi-cultural teams.
Excellent written skills in English.
Demonstrating effective verbal communication skills and strong ability.
Well organized; able to meet deadlines.
Having good command of English.
Generating creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
Computer literate.
Good knowledge of negotiations.
Open to receiving feedbacks from others.
Good understanding of time management.
Multitasking person and able to work under pressure.

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: ICRAF-VIETNAM@CIFOR-ICRAF.ORG. Applicants should indicate “Application – Market and Value-Chain Researcher” on their application letters and email submissions.

Applications will be considered until the 20th August 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