The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher to join a team of researchers from ILRI and the Sustainable Nutrition Initiative® (SNi) of the Riddet Institute, Massey University, New Zealand to develop an interactive model that synthesizes existing data to test future food system scenarios to enable decision making that ensures food security for Kenya.

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

Background

The purpose of the project is to build an openly accessible computer model of the Kenyan food system, allowing stakeholders to investigate possible future scenarios and their impacts on diverse outcomes, including population nutrition, food trade, and environmental burden. The model will build upon existing successful SNi mathematical models, such as the DELTA Model® modelling global food and nutrient supply, and another concerning global trade in nutrients. The selected candidate will support the building of the model through data collation and collection, stakeholder engagement, model implementation, and collaboration with the modelling team at the Riddet Institute. The position will be based at ILRI Kenya with spells of time at the Riddet Institute in New Zealand.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with locating data sources and contribute to the assessment of the quality and resolution of data held by multi-lateral organizations (e.g. FAO, WHO, etc). Further, assess availability of higher quality national data from government and nationally focused research organizations.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between stakeholders and end-users of the model. Lead and manage consultations with stakeholders to determine the most suitable data sources and outcomes for the project modelling.
• Contribute to the building of the Kenyan national food system model ensuring that it has incorporated relevant, valid data to produce a useful tool that has good uptake by intended end-users (government policy makers, think tanks, NGOs, universities, and food industry decision-makers) within and beyond the project lifetime.
• Advocate for the model and liaise with local stakeholders, such as think tanks, government departments, food sector groups and other industry stakeholders.
• Organize, document and analyse feedback sessions on model development to allow stakeholders to evaluate progress against goals and steer towards best outcomes.
• Apply the model to investigate relevant food system questions and demonstrate its capability through academic publications and wider dissemination of these results.
• Contribute to the preparation of project progress and final reports.

Requirements

• PhD in a relevant field: agriculture, food, nutrition, or related field.
• Experience within two to four years of completing PhD.
• Experience working in Low- and Middle-Income Country contexts.
• Experience working with large databases.
• Familiarity with food systems, agriculture, and agri-food policies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in Eastern Africa.
• Strong relationship building and communication skills.
• Demonstrated strong analytical abilities and effective project management skills.
• Willingness to travel between Kenya and New Zealand and to work outside of 8-5 to allow calls with New Zealand team due to time zone differences.

Other Desirable qualifications:

• Experience with computational modelling will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to draft high-quality analytical and policy documents and related correspondence.
• Ability to work under pressure, often to tight deadlines without compromising the quality of deliverables.
• Demonstrated good organizational skills and ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional contacts, and to interact with national officials and experts, other researchers, international organizations, and development partners.

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

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 16, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical and other insurances.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role 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 the “Apply Now” on or before 13 March 2025. The position title and reference number: PPI /1764/2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high 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.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer

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