Careers at International Livestock Research Institute

Research Officer II – Agricultural Economist

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and lead the implementation of research activities – develop and implement experiments for hypothesis-testing, lead survey development and oversee data collection and management.
• Co-author papers for peer-reviewed publication as well as support the broader dissemination of research findings through other outreach materials.
• Strengthening collaboration and existing partnerships, and building new and innovative partnerships for research and development that contribute to ILRl’s agenda on index-based livestock insurance, high-frequency data collection in sentinel zones using digital innovations, conflict as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Conduct scoping studies to identify and prioritize appropriate innovations for bundling with index-based livestock insurance as well as approaches for de-risking investments by pastoralists.
• Supervise junior research associates, students/interns, temporary staff, consultants, and BSc students as required and related to the broader agenda on livestock insurance, conflict and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Project development and management including mobilizing resources through participation in development of grant proposals, managing budget and reporting, and meeting deliverables schedules.
• Rigorous analysis of diffusion and impacts of innovations including livestock insurance and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, using advanced econometric techniques and both experimental and observational data.
• Develop capacity of external stakeholders in utilizing adaptation planning tools and frameworks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
• A minimum of 5 years’ work experience in academia, a development-oriented research organization or comparable institution in the area of impact evaluation and analysis of farmers/pastoralists adoption behaviour.
• Knowledge of microeconomic theory and excellent skills in econometric analysis.
• Excellent knowledge of STATA.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating large data collection surveys in remote areas.
• Demonstrated ability to perform in-depth statistical and econometric analysis and report the results.
• Willingness and openness to learn.
• Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task as needed, consistently meet deadlines, and manage time well.
• Demonstrated professional level of attention to detail and accuracy of work.
• Ability to work independently and with initiative.
• A good understanding of impacts of climate change and variability on agri-food systems.

Program Accountant

Key Responsibilities

Reporting, Audits and Filing:

• Prepare detailed monthly, quarterly and annual internal financial reports for supported projects and Initiatives highlighting issues on over/under expenditure, commitments and project end dates.
• Identify any incorrect entries and liaise with PM and PI for approval to pass adjusting journal entries in the system.
• Track donor reporting timelines to ensure timely preparation of reports;
• Using appropriate templates, prepare donor financial reports/statements in collaboration with PM and PIs for Finance Manager’s (or designate) review.
• Raise invoices & follow up reimbursements and transfer advices from donors.
• Compute project accruals annually and during project close outs and ensure they are captured in the system at the right accounting period.
• Identify projects to be audited at least four months before scheduled start date and liaise with Finance Officer for planning.
• Work closely with internal and external auditors in facilitating effective project audits by availing required documents and responding to queries (in collaboration with the Finance Officer) to ensure all issues are resolved and clean (unqualified) report provided.
• Maintain proper financial records of projects – both soft and hard.
• Perform other post-award functions in relation to receivables and payables reconciliation, budget revisions and project closeout functions.

Collaborators Support and Accounting:

• Prepare projects payment requests for partners in collaboration with Project/Program Manager (PM) and Project Leaders.
• Ensure project partners’ financial reports are received in time and sample supporting documents are requested and reviewed for compliance with contractual obligations.
• Support in building the capacity of partners to enhance compliance to ILRI and donor guidelines.
• Make necessary follow ups to ensure timely payments to collaborators and ensure transfer advices are shared.
• Enter partner expenditure in Agresso and ensure relevant supporting documents are (scanned) uploaded.

Budgeting and Proposal Development:

• Provide advise especially in unit costs etc. towards development of proposal budgets.
• Prepare proposal budgets for review by PM and Project Leader before submission to Finance Manager.
• Support PM during institutional budgeting.
• Share project budgets (in recommended format) for uploading in Agresso.
• Review BvA reports frequently and share proposals for budget adjustments.

Review of Staff and Consultant Payments:

• Reviewing travel advance requests for compliance with ILRI policies.
• Reviewing travel expense reports to ensure that support documents (attendance lists, payment lists, per diem calculator, trip reports, original receipts etc.) have been attached;
• Ensuring the validity and accuracy of all submitted receipts by periodically sampling receipts/payments and clarifying sampled expenses with vendors/payees.
• Reviewing consultant ToRs to ensure all proposed payments are legitimate and fully supported and making the necessary entries in the financial system.
• Preparing reports on status of program staff and consultant accounts for P(g)Ms review.

Other:

• Train the alternate position all aspects of this job to ensure continuity.
• Provide additional support on demand to the clients of the unit.
• Help other unit members to learn and excel in their work.
• Can be called upon to work on tasks relating to other programs or sections within finance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field.
• Full accounting qualifications – CPA (K) or ACCA.
• At least three years of relevant work experience.
• Work experience in non-profit or international organization
• Work experience in both research and development organizations.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting software required – preferably Agresso
• Good computer skills.

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