Terms of Reference
Project Lead Social Scientist, Food security and Income Sector.
Coastal Rural Support Program, Tanzania.
The task of the Lead Social Scientist is to guide the action research activities of CRSPT food security and income component that seeks to provide greater understanding of the connections between climate change impact and local adaptation with low agricultural productivity and household nutrition in Lindi and Mtwara region of Tanzania. The suitable candidate will supervise a "challenge fund" and activities that supports action research proposals submitted by partner organizations looking at the impacts of climate change and the inter-relationships between household crop production, incomes and child nutrition goals. This will be accomplish through the conceptualization, design, and implementation of clear cut action research and development topics that would give answers that inform program implementation, policy and wider adaptation strategies. Reporting to and working closely with the food security and subsector manager, the lead social scientist shall be responsible specifically for the planning and coordinating of action research implementation; formulation of action research topics together with CRSPT partners, including putting out calls for research proposals, defining criteria and indicators for proposal assessment; facilitating a virtual platform that guides project implementation, particularly proposal screening, monitoring and evaluation of research quality and reporting; facilitation of cross program learning through the development of internal mechanism to feedback research lessons into on-going crop productivity improvement project; research funds mobilization, disbursement and management, as well as providing timely professional advice to program management while ensuring adequate documentation, communication and dissemination of important research results to a wider audience. The key performance areas shall include the following among others:
Key Performance Areas
Planning, Supervision and coordination of research implementation
· Plan and lead all intervention on action research topics and issues as maybe agreed upon by CRSPT stakeholders.
· Plan the time frames and sequences of action research areas and topics in manners that provide synergy in result and saves cost.
· Supervise the field implementation of all activities to ensure achievement of defined objectives for the various research areas and topics.
· Coordination the various steps from conception, design, implementation and reporting of research projects
Formulation of action research topics together with CRSPT Stakeholders
· Lead the formulation of action research topics with relevant stakeholders, e.g. government, communities, donors, interested national institutions and consultants.
· Prioritization of action research areas and topics that would addresses the key issues of concern
· Make open calls for proposal for research in identified areas and topics of priority
· Define criteria and indicators for proposal evaluation by members of the screening committee
· Develop a workable theoretical framework that provide the linkages and guides the processes
Facilitation of a virtual learning platform
· Constitute and manage a virtual committee of experts to guide project implementation
· Summarize discussion and feedbacks from expert team and implement possible suggestions
· Monitor and evaluate quality and reporting of action research with the assistance of the virtual groups
· Facilitate cross program -learning activities and initiate mechanisms that feedback research information into program activities.
Resource mobilization and capacity building
· Mobilize relevant human and material resources needed for the successful implementation of projects
· Mobilize stakeholders to participate in the reflexive research and action cycles at local, regional and national levels.
· Together with project staff, mobilize communities for collective action to implement research findings that addresses communities particular needs in crop production, climate adaptation, improve nutrition, etc.
· Facilitate capacity building for partners towards creating a desired change in mid-set, attitudes or stimulating change in practice.
Report writing and documentation to inform implementation
· Write progress reports on implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as promote mutual organizational learning and information sharing amongst all stakeholders.
· Guide the development of concept notes, proposals, technical and strategy papers related to selected topics and issues by partners.
· Participate and assist in the design of local adaptation of research results and their dissemination.
· Networking with other partner organizations to support CRSPT activities.
The lead social scientist will also carry out other assignments in related sector as would be required from time to time by the supervisor.
Qualifications and other Requirements:
The suitable candidate shall possess the following
- Minimum of 10 years relevant working experience in the field of social or development research, and or rural household studies.
- A post graduate university degree (minimum at M.Sc level) either in social sciences, environmental sciences, agro-ecological studies, development studies or from other relevant fields.
- Candidate without demonstrable track records in social research and publication experience should not apply.
- Experience working with international and/or regional NGOs, donor agencies, Ministry of Agriculture and/or Private sector active in rural communities.
- Previous experience in managing and facilitating multi-instructional research and learning activity that is directed at solving concrete problems is highly required.
- Experience supervising rural based project particularly with small holders' farmers and government institutions.
- Experience managing donor's grants is required.
- Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams to accomplish program goals.
- Strong communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English.
- Initial contract will be for 2 years but renewable on satisfactory completion of the first term.
