Terms of Reference (ToR) for Research Collaborator

To Support Research in Ethiopia and Sudan

Position: Impact Evaluation Consultant/Collaborator

Duration: 135 working days over a 12-month period (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025), subject to renewal.

Location: Flexible allocation between Ethiopia and Sudan projects, with adjustments and travels based on deliverable priorities and supervisory recommendations.

Objectives

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified collaborator to contribute to ongoing research activities in fragile and conflict-affected communities in Ethiopia and Sudan. The collaborator will assist research efforts led by IFPRI in Ethiopia and Sudan, focusing on impact evaluations and survey analyses. The broad objective is to assess the impacts of armed conflicts, in-kind/cash assistance, and related livelihood interventions on food security, health, psychosocial outcomes, and trust in local governance. This role will involve data analysis, report writing, and the design and supervision of surveys.

About IFPRI

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is committed to conducting high-quality research to inform policies that improve food security, nutrition, and resilience worldwide, especially in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Scope of Work

The collaborator will contribute to the following activities:

1. Research and Analysis:

• Conduct literature reviews on relevant themes, including conflict, social protection, and related development interventions.
• Clean and analyze survey data using advanced statistical methods.
• Draft reports, research papers, and policy briefs, incorporating feedback from IFPRI staff.
• Survey Design and Monitoring:

• Design and revise survey tools for current and upcoming projects.
• Monitor and supervise ongoing and future surveys.
• Ensure compliance with pre-analysis plans and document implementation processes.
• Stakeholder Engagement:

• Present preliminary findings to IFPRI staff, collaborators, and stakeholders.
• Represent IFPRI at relevant conferences and events.
• Supervision:

• Provide guidance to research officers and research assistants involved in the projects.
• Oversee the preparation of cleaned datasets and analytical documentation.

Essential Duties

· Conduct literature reviews and draft analytical summaries.

· Clean and analyze collected survey data using advanced statistical methods.

· Design and revise survey tools for new and ongoing evaluations.

· Monitor and supervise survey implementation and data collection.

· Draft reports, research papers, and policy briefs based on analyzed data.

· Present preliminary findings and engage with internal and external stakeholders.

· Provide technical supervision and guidance to junior researchers and assistants.

· Revise outputs based on feedback from IFPRI staff and collaborators.

Qualifications and Experience

· PhD degree or equivalent in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or a closely related field.

· Minimum of 3 years of work experience in academia, research institutions, private sector, or development-oriented organizations.

· Expertise in microeconomic theory and advanced analytical methods.

· Demonstrated experience conducting RCTs and impact evaluation studies.

· Proficiency in STATA and related statistical tools.

· Fluency in written and spoken English.

· Familiarity with the literature on conflict, social protection, and development interventions.

· Experience working in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia and Sudan, with a strong understanding of their agri-food systems.

Key Deliverables

1. Data and Analysis:

• Cleaned datasets and accompanying STATA do-files.
• Detailed implementation reports verifying compliance with pre-analysis plans.
• Documentation of data cleaning and merging processes (e.g., household and administrative data).
• Research Outputs:

• Drafts of reports, research papers, and policy briefs addressing research questions.
• Refined publications reflecting feedback from IFPRI staff.
• Final Outputs:

• Finalized reports, research papers, policy briefs, and working papers for dissemination.

Application Process

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience, a CV, and two samples of previous research or analytical work. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.