ILRI / IWMI Job Vacancy 2025 – Research Officer II (Scaling Solar in Agriculture) – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ILRI / IWMI Job Vacancy 2025 – Research Officer II (Scaling Solar in Agriculture) – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

REF: RO/IWMI/11/25

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), is seeking a Research Officer II to support the Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) Phase 2 project in Kenya, with a duty station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This position will focus on research, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, technical assistance, and capacity building to support the responsible scaling of solar energy solutions for agriculture.

IWMI is a global research-for-development organization dedicated to improving water and land management for food security, livelihoods, and sustainable ecosystems. It is part of the CGIAR network, a global partnership advancing agricultural innovation worldwide.

Position: Research Officer II – Scaling Solar in Agriculture

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of research on solar-powered agricultural solutions, including irrigation, cold storage, drying, and agro-processing.
• Conduct data collection and analysis, including policy and private sector assessments to guide scaling of solar technologies.
• Identify opportunities and constraints (policy, institutional, financial, and knowledge-related) for scaling solar innovations in agriculture.
• Provide technical assistance to government agencies, private sector partners, and regulators to address policy and regulatory bottlenecks.
• Engage with stakeholders including farmer groups, development partners, and private sector actors to strengthen partnerships.
• Assist in capacity building, training programs, and pilot testing of solar innovations through living labs, Hackathons, and public-private partnerships.
• Prepare and disseminate high-quality research outputs such as working papers, policy briefs, technical reports, and journal publications.
• Represent IWMI/ILRI at policy dialogues, conferences, and stakeholder forums.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Innovation Systems, Agricultural Economics, Water Resource Management, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, Human Geography, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience post-graduation in agri-food systems research involving water management and/or renewable energy.
• At least 2–3 years of applied research experience, preferably in innovation systems or scaling climate-smart solutions.
• Strong background in data collection, analysis, literature review, and publication of scientific or policy outputs.
• Experience with CGIAR centers, government ministries, or international development organizations is an advantage.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, particularly in agriculture, irrigation, and renewable energy.

Skills:

• Excellent ability to engage with diverse stakeholders (government, private sector, farmer groups, and development partners).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and statistical/qualitative analysis software (STATA, R, NVivo).
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of agricultural and energy policy frameworks in East Africa.

Job Details

• Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Job Grade: HG 14
• Monthly Base Salary: ETB 54,708 (competitive with benefits)
• Contract Type: National Staff (initial 3 years, renewable based on performance and funding)
• Benefits: Multicultural research environment, professional growth opportunities, competitive salary, and secure working environment with campus amenities.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should submit:

• Cover Letter
• Updated CV (with names and contact details of three referees)

👉 Apply online via ILRI’s recruitment portal: Apply Here

📌 Deadline for applications: 09 October 2025

Important: ILRI/IWMI does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

About ILRI / IWMI

• Learn more about IWMI: www.iwmi.cgiar.org
• Learn more about ILRI: www.ilri.org

✅ Note: Suitably qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.