The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Research Assistant (Rural Extension/ Social Anthropologist)
Job Ref.: IITA/P&C/NRS2025-015
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Job type: Contract (On-site)
Duration: 6-months renewable contract
Duties
- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on gender roles and dynamics in yam production in Nigeria.
- Analyze and synthesize findings from research papers, reports, and other relevant sources regarding the socio-cultural factors around staking and non-staking practices.
- Identify specific relevant areas of focus.
- Prepare literature reviews with colleagues, STS, and the supervising IITA gender expert and economist.
- Engage selected stakeholders, farmers, and participants, ensuring representation of diverse perspectives, including men and women yam farmers from different production systems.
- Organize and conduct FGDs, KIIs, and IIs in selected rural communities using appropriate methodologies and tools, collaborating with community mobilizers.
- Collect data covering key topics related to yam production, including socio-cultural challenges, opportunities, and gender-specific issues.
- Conduct workshop-FGDs using the citizen science approach.
- Perform data entry and analysis of qualitative data through coding to identify key themes and insights, and carry out economic calculations based on survey and field trial results.
- Prepare and present detailed reports on the findings from FGDs, KIIs, and experimental trials.
- Establish, monitor, and coordinate farmer-managed experimental trials from a socio-cultural perspective, comparing staked yam and non-staked yam cultivation.
- Collaborate with community members and stakeholders throughout the research process.
- Document the research process, including methodologies, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Candidates should possess an HND / B.Sc in Anthropology, Agricultural Extension, Social Gender Sciences, or any other related course of study.
- The ideal candidate must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in conducting quantitative research, including FGDs and KIIs performing a similar role in a well-structured environment.
- Fluency in English language and in one or more Nigerian languages as spoken in yam-growing areas is an added advantage.
Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:
- Have a transdisciplinary focus ready to learn and work outside and with people outside the candidate main discipline.
- Have strong understanding of gender issues in agriculture and basic knowledge of yam production.
- Have experience in agricultural research or related fieldwork.
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Have ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
- Have successful engagement and participation of diverse stakeholders in FGDs, KIIs and IIs.
- Be well-organized and execute FGDs and KIIs, providing valuable insights into yam production and gender dynamics.
- Ensure Timely submission of research updates and final high-quality reports, documenting the research process and findings.
Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.
Application Closing Date
28th May, 2025.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online