Posted on :
22 Mar, 2021
22 Mar, 2021
The USAID Liberia Economic Policy Dialogue Activity (LEPDA) is a four-year program that aims to foster economic growth and employment in Liberia by supporting the Government on key policy reforms, building Government capacity for policy reform, and engaging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the policy process.
LEPDA is currently conducting a research study to present and analyze models of agricultural concessions and other models of agricultural commercialization. The term ‘Agricultural concessions’ refers to an agreement in which the Liberian government leases land away to a foreign commercial entity in the agriculture sector in exchange for the payment of fees and royalties. The foreign entity has the right to explore and extract natural resources from that land, e.g. rubber and palm oil. Agricultural concessions are one of the most important parts of the Liberian economy.
The overall goal of the study is to identify how the structure of these models influences their overall performance (e.g., in terms of fiscal, economic, social, and/or environmental benefits). This analysis will be used to provide technical guidance to the Government, concessionaires, and other stakeholders on how to strengthen the structure and management of agricultural concessions It will aim to enable policy dialogue among the Government of Liberia (GOL), concessionaires, and other stakeholders on the structure and management of agricultural concessions, and will also assist USAID in designing its next phase of agricultural programming.
As part of this research, LEPDA will develop a case study on an agricultural commercialization scheme in Ghana in the rubber sector. LEPDA is therefore seeking to recruit a Senior Agriculture Researcher on a short-term basis to conduct the research and implement the data collection for the case study.
Objective and Reporting Structure:
The Senior Agriculture Researcher will implement the data collection for the case study of an agricultural commercialization scheme in the Rubber sector in Ghana. The assignment will involve travel to the site of the selected commercialization scheme to conduct interviews and other data collection activities.
This assignment will be remotely managed by a team outside Ghana. The Senior Agriculture Researcher will work directly with the LEPDA Economic Policy Expert based in Liberia, and liaise with the Canada-based LEPDA Lead Consultant/Senior Technical Expert on the study. The Senior Agriculture Researcher will assist LEPDA in collecting data for the case study and providing evidence-based recommendations that support concession policy and management to develop alternative frameworks for investment in the agriculture sector.
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Agriculture Researcher
Pre-Fieldwork Preparation
Fieldwork
Post-Fieldwork
Qualifications:
The Researcher will need the experience to be able to identify suitable interviewees and to be able to engage with senior government officials and concessions management. The Researcher will also require the technical skills needed ensure data quality and provide high quality briefs to the LEPDA team.