Demand for Aflatoxin Tested Maize
Location: Makueni, Machakos, Embu, or Meru County
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Project Associate for the Demand for Aflatoxin-tested Maize in Kenya Project. Consumption of high levels of aflatoxin can be fatal, and chronic exposure has been linked in numerous studies to liver cancer, suppressed immune response and child stunting. The Government of Kenya has set a strict limit on the level of aflatoxin contamination permitted in food for human consumption.
However, there is currently no structure in place for enforcement of this standard, and independent studies over the past five years have shown that the proportion of maize exceeding this standard is between 16 and 65%. This project will introduce independent third party aflatoxin testing of maize into the Kenyan market, and characterize maize vendors and consumers to this new product.
The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. The principal investigators are Christine Moser and Vivian Hoffmann.
The Project Associate will work closely with the IPA-Kenya Country Office and the PIs (academic researchers) to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to: sophisticated logistic planning, assisting with project design, designing survey questionnaires, conducting focus groups, running pilot exercises, introducing the project to and negotiating with government officials, managing survey teams, checking and analyzing data, cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis, assisting in the writing of project reports and policy memos, financial accounting, HR, and various administrative tasks. The Project Associate will be based in a location to be determined in one of Makueni, Machakos, Embu, or Meru County.
A one year commitment is required for this position.
Qualifications and Experience:
A Bachelor's degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related fieldsExcellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skillsFluency and excellent communication skills in EnglishFlexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, a team playerDemonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizationsExperience living in a developing country is a strong plusKnowledge of Stata (strongly preferred) or other data analysis software is preferredFamiliarity with randomized controlled trials preferredFluency in Swahili is preferredPlease send a cover letter and detailed CV, 3 references, daytime phone number(s), and email address. Your CV should include your scores or grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any relevant work experience.
Applications can be submitted to any of our branch offices, or by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org,or by post office using P.O Box 373, Busia area code 50400 Kenya. If you submit by email, please ensure that the subject line reads: “Project Associate.”REF No.DA-2013-11-2. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by email for an interview. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a ROLLING BASIS.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Project Associate. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.
