Consultancy Firm for Behavioral, Social and Economic Intelligence Study

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Position Title: Consultancy Firm for Behavioral, Social and Economic Intelligence Study
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: February 27, 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is a renowned research organization that focuses on food policy and agricultural development. Established in 1975, IFPRI aims to provide evidence-based solutions to reduce poverty and enhance security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. With a global presence, IFPRI operates in numerous countries and employs a diverse team of experts dedicated to improving food systems and policies. The organization is part of the CGIAR program, which emphasizes agricultural research and innovation to address global challenges related to nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security.

Job Overview:
The consultancy firm will play a crucial role in implementing a study that generates behavioral, social, and economic intelligence in Kenya, specifically targeting smallholder farmers in the semi-arid counties of Machakos and Makueni. The study aims to evaluate farmers' investment behavior by simulating real-world agricultural decision-making scenarios through a lab-in-the-field experimental design. The firm will be responsible for conducting experiments that assess how different risk-mitigating tools, such as drought-tolerant seeds, index insurance, and emergency credit, influence farmers' decisions. The work is expected to be conducted in the first half of 2025, with a total of 252 participants involved in the study, each participating in an experiment lasting approximately 1.5 hours.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultancy firm will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Translating finalized research instruments into local languages, particularly Kiswahili, to ensure comprehension among participants.
• Recruiting a field coordinator and enumerators, providing necessary training to enumerators, piloting the experiment, and debriefing the study team in Machakos.
• Collaborating with local mobilizers to recruit the targeted 252 study participants from Machakos and Makueni, ensuring they have previously completed a related survey.
• Administering the experiment with the 252 participants while overseeing data collection and ensuring data quality assurance throughout the process.
• Providing regular updates on fieldwork progress and sharing collected data at regular intervals with researchers from IFPRI, ILRI, and the University of Illinois.

Required Qualifications:
The consultancy firm or survey team leader must possess the following qualifications:

• A demonstrated understanding of the assignment and its objectives.
• Proven experience with similar types of studies, particularly in agricultural or behavioral research.
• Experience working with international organizations, showcasing the ability to navigate diverse cultural and operational contexts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with participants and stakeholders.
• An office location within 30 minutes of Nairobi to facilitate timely communication and coordination.
• A financial and technical proposal work plan that clearly demonstrates value for money and outlines the approach to be taken in the study.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, it is implied that the consultancy firm should have a team with relevant academic backgrounds in fields such as agricultural economics, social sciences, or related disciplines that support the understanding of behavioral studies and agricultural practices.

Experience:
The consultancy firm is expected to have substantial experience in conducting similar studies, particularly those involving lab-in-the-field experiments. Previous work in rural Kenya and familiarity with the challenges faced by smallholder farmers will be highly advantageous. The firm should also demonstrate a history of successful collaborations with international organizations, indicating a capacity to manage complex projects effectively.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, as it is essential for communication with IFPRI and other international partners. Additionally, proficiency in Kiswahili is crucial for engaging with local participants and ensuring that research instruments are accurately translated and understood.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy firm will be engaged for a project that is expected to take place in the first half of 202

• The position is project-based, and the firm will need to provide a detailed financial and technical proposal that outlines the work plan, timelines, deliverables, and payment schedule. The firm should be prepared to work closely with local communities in Machakos and Makueni, demonstrating a commitment to understanding and addressing the specific needs and constraints of smallholder farmers in these regions.