Role Purpose
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 projects. These initiatives will be tailored for donors, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector organizations that are actively addressing food security, climate adaptation, and agricultural market systems. Your role will focus on leveraging behavioral science to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in food systems, smallholder agriculture, and climate resilience across the Global South.
You possess strong research capabilities and project management skills, enabling you to effectively advance well-defined engagements with precision, proactivity, and meticulousness. Your background includes extensive qualitative research experience, authentic industry insight, and the capacity to manage intricate, multi-faceted projects while maintaining clear organization and forward momentum.
You turn behavioral evidence into practical, data-driven recommendations, supported by the authority of hands-on fieldwork and rigorous methodological expertise. You confidently articulate Busra’s findings in client-facing engagements and engage effectively with senior stakeholders—whether government officials or seasoned development economists—while discerning the appropriate moments to escalate issues to senior leadership.
We seek a candidate with deep, hands-on experience in agriculture, particularly among smallholder farmers and within agri-food value chains. This position demands a specialist who can assume full responsibility for project deliverables and client relationships, lead project teams with direct oversight, and collaborate seamlessly across Busra’s internal functions to uphold rigorous execution standards.
Oversee critical account management duties, ensuring client satisfaction and retention through strategic relationship-building initiatives. Develop and implement tailored solutions to meet client needs, fostering long-term partnerships and maximizing revenue opportunities. Monitor account performance metrics, identifying trends and addressing any issues proactively to maintain high service standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align resources, streamline processes, and enhance overall client value. Ensure compliance with company policies and contractual obligations while delivering exceptional service excellence consistently.
Senior Associates will collaborate extensively with Busra offices and engage directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to undertake a broad range of responsibilities, which encompass, but are not limited to:
The individual will provide strategic direction and leadership for client and advisory initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. They will oversee the development and execution of high-impact programs, leveraging deep industry expertise to drive client engagement and satisfaction. Additionally, the role involves mentoring teams, fostering collaboration, and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships to enhance service delivery. Key responsibilities include identifying growth opportunities, optimizing advisory frameworks, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
Oversee client relationships throughout every stage of the engagement process, from initial scoping and contract negotiations to final delivery and dissemination of results.
Conduct high-level discussions with donors, implementing partners, government ministries, and private sector representatives, demonstrating foresight in identifying needs, adeptly navigating intricate challenges, and proactively aligning expectations to achieve shared objectives.
Transform client challenges into clear, actionable research and advisory briefs; tactfully challenge requests that are ambiguously framed or outside the intended scope.
Craft proposals, concept notes, and pitch decks while advancing business development initiatives within the food systems and climate resilience sectors.
Represent Busra at conferences, technical working groups, and client meetings, delivering findings with precision and authority to both specialist and general audiences.
We specialize in qualitative research and technical execution, focusing on delivering precise insights and implementing robust methodologies. This role demands expertise in designing and conducting qualitative studies, coupled with the ability to execute technical processes with accuracy and efficiency. Key responsibilities include analyzing data, interpreting findings, and translating them into actionable recommendations. Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of qualitative research principles, and proficiency in technical execution to ensure high-quality outcomes.
Design and oversee qualitative research initiatives—such as comprehensive in-depth interviews (Iris), structured focus group discussions (FGDs), immersive ethnographic observation, and collaborative participatory methods—with meticulous attention to rigor and cultural awareness.
Transform qualitative evidence into clear, practical narratives; discern behavioral motivations and obstacles within intricate social and institutional settings.
Apply behavioral science models—including COM-B, dual process theory, and social norms frameworks—to tackle challenges in agriculture and climate adaptation.
Design and manage comprehensive mixed-methods research initiatives, meticulously coordinating qualitative and quantitative components to ensure seamless integration and enhanced mutual reinforcement.
Ensure consistent quality control for all research deliverables, including guides, transcripts, codebooks, analysis memos, and final reports.
You will oversee project execution and team coordination, ensuring tasks are completed on schedule and within budget. Responsibilities include delegating responsibilities, monitoring progress, and fostering collaboration among team members to achieve organizational objectives. Additionally, you will address any challenges that arise, implement risk mitigation strategies, and maintain clear communication with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are essential for this role.
Own project timelines, budgets, deliverables, and staffing plans; identify and communicate risks promptly while actively managing scope to prevent deviations.
Oversee and provide mentorship to Analysts and Project Leads assigned to your engagements, cultivating their research and advisory capabilities through hands-on guidance and structured coaching.
Collaborate seamlessly with Busra’s Data, Programming, and Operations teams to facilitate the efficient execution of both field-based and remote research initiatives.
Support the enhancement of onboarding processes and knowledge management initiatives to ensure institutional knowledge is effectively captured, organized, and made accessible.
We value individuals who actively enhance our collective success by bringing structure, efficiency, and collaboration to our team’s efforts. Your role will involve identifying opportunities to improve workflows, streamline processes, and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. By aligning your work with broader company goals, you will play a key part in driving productivity and maintaining high standards of operational excellence.
Play a key role in shaping the Farm team’s strategic direction and expanding its collective knowledge base through internal research initiatives, insightful sector-focused thought leadership pieces, and pioneering methodological advancements.
Engage actively in the recruitment, orientation, and professional development processes for junior staff members to ensure their successful integration and growth within the team.
Foster an environment characterized by rigorous intellectual inquiry, constructive feedback, and psychological safety across your project teams.
Seeking a candidate with a comprehensive background encompassing both theoretical understanding and practical application, along with a proven track record in relevant areas. The ideal individual will possess specialized expertise, refined abilities, and hands-on experience directly aligned with the position’s demands. Proficiency in key competencies, coupled with a history of successful performance in similar roles, is essential for meeting the outlined expectations and contributing effectively to the team’s objectives.
Required
Seeking professionals with five to eight years of relevant experience in research, advisory, or program design, with a strong emphasis on food systems, agriculture, or climate resilience—particularly within sub-Saharan Africa or similar settings.
Requires extensive proficiency in qualitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, thematic analysis, and synthesis, complemented by substantial fieldwork experience in resource-constrained environments.
Proven track record of effectively leading high-level client and partner engagements with poise, precision, and executive-level professionalism.
Delivers exceptional success in steering intricate, multi-stakeholder initiatives from initial concept through to final execution.
You possess exceptional analytical and synthesis abilities, enabling you to transform complex qualitative data into a clear, well-supported argument.
Proficient in both written and oral English communication, with the capacity to tailor messaging for diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
A relevant field such as Social Sciences, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related discipline, with a Bachelor’s degree as the minimum educational requirement.
Strongly Preferred
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline is required.
Formal or informal application of behavioral science principles within agricultural extension, climate adaptation, or food value chains is required.
Proficiency in quantitative methodologies and data analysis software, such as State, R, or Python, is required, along with the ability to effectively interpret quantitative results, even when not serving as the lead analyst.
Demonstrated expertise in implementing experimental or quasi-experimental methodologies—such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or difference-in-differences analyses—either independently or as part of a collaborative research effort.
Established networks within East or West African food systems or climate finance ecosystems are essential.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 8 years
