Job Opportunity for Programme Associate (Econometrics) – Sustainable Food Systems at CEEW in New Delhi

Designation offered:

Programme Associate (Econometrics)

Team/Focus Area:

Sustainable Food Systems

Location:

New Delhi, India

Reporting to: 

Programme Lead/Senior Programme Lead 

Job Summary

India stands at a complex challenge of ensuring universal nutritional security for an increasing yet largely deprived population in a rapidly changing climate. This needs action beyond producing more food – we need to evolve what we eat and how we produce, process and distribute our food. 

Natural Farming

Natural Farming has received political traction in India in the recent years, and could be a potential pathway for India to transition to sustainable agriculture practices. However, the evidence on the impact of natural farming in insufficient and weak on many environmental, economic and social aspects. In order to bridge this gap, CEEW has undertaken a one-of-its-kind, large-scale longitudinal impact assessment of the Community-managed Natural Farming Programme in Andhra Pradesh (APCNF). The data and evidence generated on natural farming from this study will help inform policy makers and other stakeholders the strategy for natural farming, and will be used in building narratives and coalition for sustainable agriculture practices in India.

Dairy

The Dairy Sector transformation at CEEW seeks to ensure the livelihood and nutritional security while reducing the climate footprint of the dairy sector in India by developing context specific strategies and roadmaps. There remains a clear gap in terms of reliable data and evidence that can address the complexities and trade-offs that exist in the dairy livestock production systems in India. The focus of our work is to generate data, analysis, models, and scenarios at the sub national level to enable system leaders with decision making tools to chart sustainable pathways for the dairy sector in India.  CEEW seeks to hire a suitable candidate for the Programme Associate position in the Sustainable Food Systems team to expand its capacity to conduct research and drive change. We are looking for a detail-oriented researcher with a hunger for impact and the ambition to make our food system sustainable.

The successful applicant will lead team members in undertaking robust quantitative and qualitative analysis. In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined below, the Programme Associate should be prepared, as and when necessary, to take on additional responsibilities and respond to events and developments that cannot be anticipated easily.

Responsibilities and Duties

Research

• Take lead on the allocated project(s) under the programme end-to-end. This includes, but is not limited to independently projects using quantitative applied research on varied food system issues. Such workstreams include but are not limited to (i) identification of optimal research question(s), (ii) designing the research approach/framework (iii) development and execution of primary surveys (this includes designing the questionnaires, survey monitoring, coordinating with field staffs and analysis of the survey data), (iv) systematic literature reviews (v) conducting stakeholder consultations, (vi) conducting the relevant analyses using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative (econometric/statistical) tools , and (vii) presenting the analyses in a coherent narrative in different formats such as journal publications, reports, op-ed articles, dissemination and consultation meetings (viii) developing an outreach strategy, (viii) dissemination of the research and (ix) assessing the impact created.
• Track the day-to-day regulatory, policy and market developments in the Indian states especially on the topics relevant to (but not limited to) natural farming, agroecology, dairy sector, sustainable food systems.
• Travel to field sites, whenever necessary, to manage fieldwork including surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, meetings, training or gather primary information
• Travel to states to meet with government and external stakeholders, whenever necessary, to conduct meetings or collect primary information.
• To write briefs and issue notes which could be circulated among industry bodies, state and central government officials and other stakeholders.
• Lead in writing high-quality research reports, publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals and generating other knowledge products for the different audience such as blogs, policy briefs in regular intervals
• Establishing and managing relationships with project counterparts at CEEW’s partnering/collaborating organizations and institutions
• To work with senior researchers on conceptualising new projects (as and when needed).
• Proactively supporting team in effectively operationalizing the CEEW’s Arc of Learning

Project/Programme Assistance

• Support the leadership in conceptualising new projects, development of high-impact research proposals, and applications for research and general donor funding
• Lead the development of overall programme strategy and its effective implementation
• Establish, manage, and promote relationship with existing and potential partners
• Prepare project proposals/applications for research and general donor funding
• Lead the strategic outreach of the research outputs through engagement with a broader network of policymakers, industry and other stakeholders
• Mentor the research analysts/consultants/interns as required

Selection Criteria and Key skills

• Master’s degree in Economics (any stream)/Econometrics/Statistics).
• At the minimum, three years of relevant research experience is expected (as research analyst), specifically in carrying out econometric analyses using primary and secondary datasets. Research experience in the domain of agriculture, nutrition, food system, livestock, dairy is strongly preferred.
• Analytical skills and knowledge of mixed methods – qualitative and quantitative research methods, relevant for impact evaluation, food system analysis, political economy analysis etc
• Knowledge of econometric modelling (mandatory), in particular impact evaluations (preferred)
• Experience in using statistical software – R/Stata/Python  (mandatory)
• Experience in GIS based analysis using QGIS/ArcGIS, etc (preferred)
• Experience in designing primary studies (mandatory)  – study design, design of survey tools, survey execution, training of survey teamsExperience in creating study design
• Experience in designing survey tools
• Experience in survey execution, managing engagement with survey agency, training survey teams
• Experience in data cleaning and analysis of large secondary or primary datasets 
• Experience in engaging on field activities, for data collection/training of enumerators/sampling of households/pilot testing/monitoring activities 
• Experience in leading and managing projects (or aspects of some projects) independently 
• Experience in making budgets for projects, designing concept notes and full proposals (or aspects of the same) for donors 
• Knowledge of issues pertaining to sustainable food systems, policy areas and consumer trends 
• Strong communication skills for effective, efficient, and adaptive verbal and written communication, and active listening
• Experience in managing engagements with stakeholders (farmers, grassroots workers, government, stakeholders in the private space) 
• Experience in managing research analysts/consultants/interns
• Ability to use MS Office application suite

Mandatory: Relevant publications in peer-reviewed journals or as book chapters / publication of reports, issue briefs, policy briefs, op-eds, etc.

Personality

• Willingness to learn new (research and project management) skills
• Ability to adapt to a new environment and deliver under tight deadlines in a professional environment
• Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output
• Ability to effectively work in a team while driving research with minimum assistance, when time demands independently.
• Ability to dig deeper into details, while also keeping a sense of the broader objectives and big picture
• Willingness to learn, grow and develop at personal and professional front, at a rapid pace with a steep learning curve
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment 

​CEEW operates in a dynamic environment, and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in undertaking a variety of tasks.

Compensation

Competitive compensation – commensurate to the experience and matching the best of standards adopted by industry or other similar organisations for similar roles.

Application Process

CEEW is an equal opportunity employer and the selection process does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or caste. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We appreciate your interest.