Research Officer – Data Systems – CGIAR Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on behalf of the CGIAR Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) seeks to recruit a Research Officer- Data Systems  to support the Senior Research Fellow, SPIA Country Studies, in delivering technical advice to contracted research teams and supporting cross-cutting analysis of the outputs from SPIA Country Studies.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

About SPIA

The Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) is an external, impartial panel of experts in impact assessment appointed by the System Council and accountable to it. SPIA is responsible for providing rigorous evidence of the reach and causal impacts of CGIAR research and for providing independent strategic advice to the CGIAR System on efficient and effective impact assessment methods and practices, including those measuring impacts beyond contributions to science and economic performance, and on innovative ways to improve knowledge and capacity on how research contributes to development outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Provide advice on all aspects of data curation, replication and transparency specifically as it applies to a set of nationally representative household surveys being commissioned and implemented over the period 2025 – 2030
• Work with the SPIA panel members to develop a set of minimum standards for teams to implement, based on the best practice resources compiled by the Berkeley Institute for Transparency in Social Sciences (BITSS.org)
• Support the uptake of best practices through contributions to webinars, zoom calls with commissioned teams, etc.
• Provide ongoing support to commissioned teams in the use of Github for data and code related to all SPIA-commissioned surveys
• Review code and verify replication of statistical results
• Contribute to the technical review of reports from contracted research teams, with a focus on compliance with minimum standards

Requirements

• Master’s degree in data science or any quantitative social science (economics, political science etc)
• Three years’ relevant experience
• Skills in computer languages used in preparing code for statistical / econometric analysis, such as Stata or R
• Experience in using Github for organizing and sharing data / code.
• Availability to travel overseas as needed
• Advanced level English (fluent oral and written)
• Proven ability to integrate, inspire and work in multidisciplinary teams with a strong commitment to promoting diversity and knowledge sharing
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to get messages across in a culturally diverse international working environment
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team with people in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 13 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 2-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV in English expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Head of People and Culture through our recruitment portal by clicking on "Apply Now" on or before 28 May 2025. The position title and reference number REF: SPIA/05/2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/

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