To deliver value to the organization by ensuring the role’s objectives align with strategic goals while driving measurable outcomes. Focused on executing responsibilities with precision, the position demands a proactive approach to problem-solving and adaptability to evolving business needs. Key requirements include relevant experience, technical proficiency, and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. Primary duties encompass project management, stakeholder engagement, and continuous performance optimization to meet or exceed established targets.
Busra’s Farm team employs behavioral science to tackle intricate challenges within food systems, smallholder agriculture, and climate resilience throughout the Global South. In the capacity of Senior Associate, you will collaborate closely with the Engagement Director to oversee the execution of robust research and advisory initiatives for donors, governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector collaborators engaged in food security, climate adaptation, and agricultural market systems.
You possess strong research and project management capabilities, equipped to advance a clearly defined engagement with precision, proactivity, and meticulous care. Your background includes extensive qualitative research experience, authentic industry insight, and the capacity to maintain oversight of intricate, multi-faceted initiatives, ensuring they remain on schedule and aligned with objectives.
You transform behavioral evidence into practical, data-driven recommendations, supported by the authority of hands-on fieldwork and rigorous methodological expertise. At client engagements, you effectively articulate Busra’s insights and confidently engage with high-level stakeholders—including senior government officials and experienced development economists—while recognizing when to escalate matters to senior leadership.
This position requires a specialist who has firsthand experience in the sector and a deep comprehension of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and agri-food value chains. You will be responsible for overseeing project deliverables and maintaining client relationships, leading a team of project staff, and collaborating seamlessly with Busra’s internal departments to uphold excellence in all engagements.
Oversee critical account relationships, ensuring client satisfaction and retention through proactive engagement and strategic alignment with organizational objectives. Develop and implement tailored account plans to drive revenue growth and expand business opportunities within designated key accounts. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and customer support, to deliver cohesive solutions and meet client needs effectively. Monitor account performance metrics, identify trends, and proactively address potential risks to mitigate churn and enhance profitability. Serve as the primary point of contact for key clients, fostering strong partnerships and negotiating mutually beneficial agreements. Stay abreast of industry developments and competitive landscapes to anticipate client challenges and opportunities, positioning the organization as a trusted advisor.
Senior Associates will collaborate with Busra offices and engage directly with academic researchers and advisory clients, undertaking a diverse range of responsibilities that include, among others:
The role involves overseeing client and advisory leadership responsibilities, ensuring strategic alignment and operational excellence. Candidates must demonstrate proven experience in managing high-level client relationships, providing expert guidance, and driving advisory services. Key duties include developing client engagement strategies, mentoring advisory teams, and fostering long-term partnerships to enhance business growth and client satisfaction. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with a track record of delivering measurable results in advisory capacities.
Drive the client relationship throughout the entire engagement lifecycle, encompassing the initial scoping and contracting phases through to delivery and dissemination of results.
Engage in elevated discussions with donors, implementing partners, ministries, and private sector clients, proactively identifying needs, addressing intricate challenges, and effectively managing expectations.
Transform client challenges into precise research and advisory briefs, offering constructive feedback to refine vague inquiries or realign mismatched scopes.
Craft proposals, concept notes, and pitch decks while advancing business development initiatives within the food systems and climate resilience sectors.
Represent Busra at various conferences, technical working groups, and client meetings, delivering presentations that effectively communicate findings to both non-specialist and expert audiences with clarity and confidence.
We seek a seasoned professional to oversee qualitative research initiatives and execute technical methodologies with precision. The ideal candidate must possess expertise in designing, conducting, and analyzing qualitative studies, ensuring rigorous data collection and interpretation. Proficiency in relevant software tools, adherence to ethical research standards, and strong analytical and communication skills are essential. Responsibilities include overseeing research projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and delivering actionable insights to stakeholders. Previous experience in qualitative research, technical execution, and project management is required.
Design and spearhead qualitative research initiatives—such as comprehensive one-on-one interviews (Iris), structured group discussions (FGDs), ethnographic field observations, and collaborative participatory techniques—with meticulous attention to methodological precision and cultural nuance.
Transform qualitative evidence into clear, strategic narratives that drive informed decisions, analyzing behavioral motivations and obstacles within intricate social and institutional frameworks.
Leverage behavioral science frameworks—such as COM-B, dual process theory, and social norms models—to address agricultural and climate adaptation challenges effectively.
Develop and manage a comprehensive mixed-methods research framework, with a focus on seamlessly integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies to enhance their complementary strengths and overall effectiveness.
Ensure rigorous quality control is applied consistently to all research deliverables, including guides, transcripts, codebooks, analysis memos, and final reports.
Project Management & Leadership
Overseeing project execution from initiation to completion while ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align resources, mitigate risks, and resolve obstacles. Leading and mentoring staff to enhance productivity, foster professional growth, and maintain high team morale. Evaluating project performance through KPIs, progress reports, and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement. Ensuring compliance with organizational policies and industry regulations.
Oversee project schedules, financial allocations, expected outcomes, and resource allocation while identifying potential issues promptly and steering scope adjustments as needed.
Oversee and provide mentorship to Analysts and Project Leads assigned to your engagements, fostering their research and advisory capabilities through hands-on guidance and support.
Leverage cross-functional collaboration between Busra’s Data, Programming, and Operations teams to facilitate seamless implementation of both field-based and remote research initiatives.
Facilitate the enhancement of onboarding processes while strengthening knowledge management systems to ensure institutional learning is effectively documented, retained, and readily accessible.
Demonstrates a commitment to advancing the organization’s goals by actively contributing to its overall success and growth. Supports initiatives that enhance efficiency, productivity, and collaboration across teams. Plays a key role in fostering a positive work environment and aligning individual contributions with the company’s strategic objectives. Ensures that tasks are completed with precision and in accordance with established standards.
Engage in strategic initiatives and knowledge enhancement for the Farm team by conducting internal research, producing sector-focused thought leadership pieces, and advancing methodological innovation.
Engage in the recruitment, integration, and professional development of junior staff members to ensure alignment with team objectives and growth trajectories.
Promote a culture characterized by intellectual discipline, collaborative improvement, and a supportive environment within your project teams.
With a strong foundation in relevant expertise, qualifications, and hands-on experience, the ideal candidate will bring a depth of specialized knowledge and practical skills to the role. The position requires a proven track record in the specified field, along with the ability to apply analytical and problem-solving capabilities to address complex challenges. Prior experience in similar environments is essential, as is a commitment to maintaining high standards of performance and continuous professional development. Additionally, familiarity with industry best practices and emerging trends will be a key asset for success in this opportunity.
Required
Seeking candidates with a minimum of five to eight years of experience in research, advisory, or program design roles, with a strong emphasis on food systems, agriculture, or climate resilience within sub-Saharan Africa or analogous environments.
Qualified applicants must demonstrate extensive proficiency in qualitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviews (Iris), focus group discussions (FGDs), thematic analysis, and synthesis, along with a robust background in conducting fieldwork within resource-limited environments.
Proven expertise in cultivating and overseeing high-level client and partner relationships, characterized by unwavering confidence, articulate communication, and a polished level of professionalism.
Demonstrated expertise in successfully spearheading intricate, multi-stakeholder initiatives from initial planning through final execution.
You possess exceptional analytical and synthesis abilities, enabling you to transform complex qualitative data into a clear, well-supported argument.
Proficient in conveying ideas clearly and effectively in English, both through written and spoken communication, with the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences, ranging from technical experts to general readers.
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 a pertinent discipline is required.
Apply formal or informal behavioral science methodologies to agricultural extension, climate adaptation efforts, or food value chain operations.
Proficiency in quantitative methodologies and data analysis software such as State, R, or Python is required, along with the ability to interpret quantitative results effectively, even when serving in a non-primary analytical capacity.
Proficiency in experimental or quasi-experimental research methodologies, including randomized controlled trials and difference-in-differences analyses, is required, with prior experience in either a leadership or collaborative capacity.
Experienced professionals in the East or West African food systems or climate finance ecosystem are sought after.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 8 years
