Research Officer - Scaling and Impact - CIMMYT

World Agroforestry
World Agroforestry

Nairobi, Kenya

Posted on Jul 8, 2026

About Us

CIFOR & ICRAF in action

Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. It is the shared operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), two independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers working together through a common strategy, governance and leadership structure.

CIFOR and ICRAF bring together decades of scientific leadership in forests, trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems and livelihoods. CIFOR, headquartered in Bogor, Indonesia, advances research on forests and landscape management to inform policies and practices that improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity. ICRAF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment, generating knowledge that helps governments, development partners and farmers make farming and livelihoods more sustainable.

Overview

About our organization: CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit: cimmyt.org CIMMYT is hosted by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), a member of the CGIAR that is headquartered on United Nations Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya. We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry by accessing our web sites: www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org CIMMYT is looking for a: Research Officer - Scaling and Impact The Research Officer - Scaling and Impact supports the design and delivery of applied socio-economic research across CIMMYT’s Africa portfolio. The role contributes to framing and analyzing adoption, market access, resilience, and impact pathways for sustainable intensification. Working under the guidance of senior scientists, the incumbent conceptualizes studies, designs survey tools, manages field data collection, and leads statistical and econometric analysis. The position also supports the generation of high-quality outputs including technical reports, policy briefs, spatial visualizations, and peer-reviewed publications. Beyond analytics, the role includes stakeholder engagement, cross-project coordination, and contribution to proposal development and institutional learning. This reflects a progression from operational support to an integrative role at the interface of research, partnerships, and delivery systems.

Job Description

1. Design and execute socio-economic research studies.

  • on adoption, resilience, market access, and impact pathways
  • to generate evidence that informs program targeting, scaling strategies, and policy engagement.

2. Manage and coordinate field data collection activities.

  • for large-scale household and community-level surveys across diverse geographies
  • to ensure timely, high-quality, and context-relevant data capture.

3. Analyze primary and secondary datasets using advanced statistical and econometric techniques.

  • across diverse research questions and geographies
  • to derive insights that support evidence-based decision-making and scientific publication.

4. Produce technical reports, policy briefs, and spatial visualizations.

  • targeted to internal teams, implementing partners, and policymakers
  • to support knowledge translation, stakeholder engagement, and institutional visibility.

5. Maintain research data infrastructure and quality assurance systems.

  • including harmonized databases and replicable code repositories
  • to ensure transparency, replicability, and long-term usability of socio-economic datasets.

6. Contribute to stakeholder engagement, and inter-project learning.

  • across institutional platforms and external partnerships
  • to strengthen CIMMYT’s role as a knowledge partner and expand resource mobilization potential.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree or higher in economics, statistics, agricultural economics, computer science, or a related quantitative or natural sciences field, with emphasis on computational and empirical methods.
  • At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in applied socio-economic research, particularly in agriculture, rural development, or impact assessment.
  • Proven expertise in survey design, field data collection management, and quantitative analysis of household or farm-level data.

Education, Experience and Technical skills

•Master’s degree or higher in economics, statistics, agricultural economics, computer science, or a related quantitative or natural sciences field, with emphasis on computational and empirical methods. •At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in applied socio-economic research, particularly in agriculture, rural development, or impact assessment. •Proven expertise in survey design, field data collection management, and quantitative analysis of household or farm-level data.

Personal Attributes and Competencies

•Strong command of econometrics, statistics, and data science tools, with proficiency in STATA, R, Python, or equivalent analytical platforms. •Demonstrated ability to synthesize and communicate complex data through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and spatial visualizations. •Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their application in socioeconomic and production data analysis. •Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and multi-country settings, with sensitivity to cultural and contextual diversity. •Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills, with a collaborative orientation toward research for development impact.

Terms and conditions

•This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. In Kenya, employment contracts are issued under ICRAF in compliance with Kenyan labour law. Locally recruited staff are eligible for a non-contributory pension scheme, comprehensive medical insurance, paid annual and statutory leave, and learning and development opportunities in line with CIFOR-ICRAF policies. •The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources. •The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya. •We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates.

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