To deliver impactful contributions aligned with the strategic objectives of the organization, this role serves as a critical function within the team. By leveraging specialized expertise, the position drives innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth, ensuring alignment with broader company goals. Collaboration with cross-functional departments is essential to achieve unified success and maintain high performance standards. Additionally, the role demands a commitment to continuous improvement, adherence to best practices, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
As a Senior Associate within Busra’s Farm team, you will collaborate closely with the Engagement Director to spearhead the execution of rigorous research and advisory initiatives for an array of stakeholders, including donors, governments, NGOs, and private sector entities. This role focuses on addressing intricate challenges within food systems, smallholder agriculture, and climate resilience across the Global South, with an emphasis on food security, climate adaptation, and agricultural market systems.
You possess strong qualitative research capabilities and a talent for project execution, enabling you to advance well-defined initiatives with precision, proactivity, and meticulous care. Your background includes extensive sector-specific expertise and the capacity to manage intricate, multi-faceted projects while maintaining focus and direction.
You transform behavioral evidence into practical, data-driven recommendations, grounded in the authority of hands-on fieldwork and rigorous methodology. You effectively articulate Busra’s insights in client engagements, engaging confidently with senior stakeholders—whether government officials or leading development economists—and discerning when to escalate issues to senior leadership.
We seek a specialist with deep, hands-on experience in the sector—someone who has worked directly in the field and comprehends the day-to-day challenges faced by smallholder farmers and the complexities of agri-food value chains. This position requires taking full ownership of project deliverables and client engagements, leading a team of project staff, and ensuring seamless coordination with internal teams at Busra to deliver engagements of exceptional quality.
Oversee and manage key client relationships to ensure sustained satisfaction and retention, driving revenue growth through strategic account development. Identify and pursue new business opportunities within assigned territories, aligning offerings with client needs to foster long-term partnerships. Develop and execute tailored account plans, monitoring performance metrics to optimize outcomes and exceed targets. Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and support teams to deliver cohesive solutions and address client concerns promptly. Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends and competitive landscape to provide proactive insights and recommendations. Ensure adherence to company policies, contractual obligations, and service-level agreements while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
Senior Associates will collaborate extensively with Busra offices and engage directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to undertake a diverse range of responsibilities, such as (but not limited to):
Demonstrated expertise in guiding clients and fostering strong advisory relationships is essential. The role demands a proven ability to lead strategic initiatives and drive client engagement at a high level. Responsibilities include developing tailored solutions, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and a track record of delivering measurable results are required. The position also calls for effective communication, leadership in client-facing engagements, and a commitment to maintaining long-term partnerships.
Own the full engagement lifecycle with clients, overseeing the relationship from initial scoping and contracting through to delivery and final dissemination.
Engage in high-level discussions with donors, implementing partners, ministries, and private sector clients, proactively identifying needs, navigating complexities, and managing expectations to ensure alignment and mutual understanding.
Transform client challenges into clear, actionable research and advisory briefs; tactfully challenge ill-defined inquiries or misaligned project scopes.
Prepare proposals, concept notes, and pitch decks while advancing business development initiatives focused on food systems and climate resilience.
Demonstrate Busra’s insights and expertise by representing the organization at conferences, technical working groups, and client meetings, delivering clear and compelling presentations tailored to both specialist and general audiences.
We are seeking a skilled professional to design and implement qualitative research methodologies, ensuring meticulous technical execution throughout the process. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in crafting research frameworks, conducting in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observational studies, while maintaining rigorous data collection standards. Responsibilities include analyzing findings to derive actionable insights, collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine research objectives, and presenting findings in clear, compelling formats. Additionally, the role requires proficiency in qualitative analysis tools, a strong understanding of ethical research practices, and the ability to adapt methodologies to address evolving project needs.
Design and spearhead qualitative research initiatives—such as comprehensive in-depth interviews (Iris), structured focus group discussions (FGDs), immersive ethnographic observation, and collaborative participatory methodologies—with meticulous attention to methodological precision and cultural nuance.
Synthesize qualitative evidence into clear, actionable narratives, pinpointing behavioral drivers and barriers within intricate social and institutional frameworks.
Apply behavioral science methodologies—such as the COM-B model, dual process theory, and social norms frameworks—to address agricultural and climate adaptation challenges.
Design and manage comprehensive mixed-methods research frameworks, fostering seamless integration and synergy between qualitative and quantitative research components to enhance overall study coherence and impact.
Ensure consistent quality control across all research deliverables, including guides, transcripts, codebooks, analysis memos, and final reports.
We are seeking a skilled professional to oversee project execution and team leadership, ensuring timely delivery and optimal performance. This role involves coordinating project timelines, managing resources, and fostering collaboration among team members to achieve strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational abilities, effective communication skills, and a proven track record in both project and people management. Responsibilities include planning, delegating tasks, monitoring progress, and resolving any challenges that arise to maintain productivity and efficiency.
Oversee project timelines, budgets, deliverables, and staffing allocations while identifying and addressing risks promptly and managing scope effectively to ensure alignment with objectives.
You will oversee and guide Analysts and Project Leads assigned to your engagements, fostering their professional growth by actively developing their research and advisory capabilities.
Collaborate with Busra’s Data, Programming, and Operations teams to facilitate seamless execution of both field-based and remote research initiatives.
Facilitate the onboarding process and enhance knowledge management initiatives to ensure institutional learning is effectively documented and leveraged.
Individuals in this role are expected to actively contribute to the overall organizational objectives by collaborating across departments, aligning efforts with strategic priorities, and fostering a cohesive work environment. They will be responsible for identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and support cross-functional initiatives that drive sustainable growth. Demonstrated ability to work in dynamic settings, adapt to evolving priorities, and maintain a results-oriented mindset will be essential. Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to teamwork will further enable them to build relationships, resolve challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s success.
Drive strategic initiatives and expand the knowledge base for the Farm team through internal research, sector-focused thought leadership, and methodological advancements.
Play a key role in the recruitment, orientation, and ongoing development of junior staff members to ensure their successful integration and growth within the team.
Foster an environment characterized by intellectual diligence, collaborative critique, and a secure psychological space for all members of your project teams.
Seeking a candidate with a robust background in relevant expertise, coupled with a demonstrated proficiency in key competencies essential for success in this role. The ideal applicant will possess a minimum of [X years] of hands-on experience within the specified field, complemented by a track record of achieving measurable outcomes. Familiarity with industry-standard tools, methodologies, and best practices is required, along with the ability to adapt to evolving challenges and technological advancements. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are mandatory, ensuring effective collaboration across teams and stakeholders. A commitment to continuous learning and professional development is highly valued.
Required
With a strong emphasis on food systems, agriculture, or climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa or similar environments, candidates should possess five to eight years of hands-on experience in research, advisory, or program design roles.
Proven mastery of qualitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, thematic analysis, and synthesis, coupled with extensive hands-on fieldwork experience in resource-constrained environments.
Proven capacity to cultivate and maintain high-level client and partner relationships with assurance, precision, and professionalism.
Demonstrated success in spearheading intricate initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, overseeing projects from initial concept through to final execution.
You possess exceptional analytical and synthesis abilities, enabling you to transform complex, unstructured qualitative data into a clear, well-supported argument.
Capable of articulating ideas clearly and persuasively in English, both in written and spoken forms, with the ability to tailor messaging for audiences ranging from technical experts to general readership.
A relevant bachelor’s degree in fields such as Social Sciences, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, or related disciplines is required.
Strongly Preferred
A master’s degree in an applicable discipline is required.
Formal or informal application of behavioral science principles to agricultural extension, climate adaptation initiatives, or food value chain development is required.
Proficiency in quantitative methods and data analysis tools, such as State, R, or Python, is required, along with the ability to interpret quantitative findings confidently, even when not serving as the lead analyst.
Proven expertise in designing and implementing experimental or quasi-experimental methodologies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and difference-in-differences approaches, either as a lead researcher or as a collaborative team member.
Established networks within the East or West African food systems or climate finance sectors are essential.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 8 years
