Research Officer (SOG/ST 6)

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Director, Agricultural Market Research (SOG/ST 8), the Research Officer (SOG/ST 6) prepares demand studies for non-traditional crops and livestock products to support the development of policy decisions. 

The incumbent also participates in the collection, tabulation, analyses, and interpretation of data to facilitate the marketing of agricultural products. 

KEY OUTPUTS

• Research proposals developed. 
• Research programs conducted 
• Research findings and recommendations provided 
• Market Demand Studies produced 
• Reports prepared 
• Relationships with key stakeholders established and maintained 
• Information to stakeholders disseminated 
• Retail prices collected and analysed 
• Agro-processors visited and their needs determined 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Assists in the development of objectives, work schedules, and plans for performing the duties of the Section. 
• Represents the Ministry/Director/attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and seminars as required. 
• Maintains customer service principles, standards, and measurements;
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers in business process design. 
• Contributes to and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment, and commitment to the Division’s and organization’s goals.
• Prepares and submits reports/documents as required. 

Technical and Professional Responsibilities 

• Conducts field visits to collect information. 
• Conducts qualitative or quantitative surveys 
• Participates in the writing of research proposals 
• Gathers, tabulates, and analyses data for market demand studies. 
• Produces feasibility studies and reliable market research utilizing SWOT, PEST and Porter’s Five Forces analytical frameworks. 
• Provides updates as required by the Senior Research Officer and Director
• Prepares data summaries, reports, analyses that include results, charts or graphs to document research findings and results.
• Represents the Unit at meetings, conferences, and workshops. 
• Liaises with other agencies including STATIN and PIOJ to obtain relevant available data 
• Conducts demands studies and produces reports to provide information for supervisors. 
• Ensures that retail prices are collected at corporate area supermarkets on a weekly basis to ascertain the supply and demand for various agricultural products.
• Conducts price studies in assigned geographic areas to analyze prices and to ascertain movements on the market. 
• Keeps abreast of trends and developments in the field of marketing research
• Visits agro-processorsto determine the needs for agricultural raw material. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Performs any other related duties, which may be assigned. 

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Accurate and thorough research proposals developed.in keeping with agreed timelines and format. 
• Research programs are conducted expeditiously adhering to agreed standards.
• Research findings are documented and produced within the agreed time frames and to the required standards. 
• Accurate Market Demand Studies prepared and utilized. 
• Accurate and comprehensive reports developed in accordance with guidelines.
• Effective working relations established and maintained with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Market Information Reports prepared and disseminated accurately, within the required time frame. 
• Retail prices collected, analyzed, prepared and disseminated accurately, within the required time frame. 
• Key stakeholders visited and provided with accurate information and general support in keeping with established protocols. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core 

• Good planning and organizing skills 
• Good oral communication skills 
• Good written and presentation skills 
• Good interpersonal and networking skills 
• Good analytical thinking skills 
• Good problem-solving and decision-making skills 
• Good teamwork and cooperation skills 
• Excellent planning and organizing skills 
• Excellent customer and quality focus skills 
• Ability to use initiative
• Of strong integrity 
• Ability to manage external relationships 

Technical 

• Knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Ministry. 
• Strong research and marketing skills 
• Good research skills 
• Knowledge of the agro-processing industry. 
• Knowledge of Agricultural Marketing Research. 
• Sound knowledge of the Poultry industry. 
• Knowledge of relevant market research techniques and principles 
• Knowledge of writing technical reports. 
• Very good knowledge of data analysis and evaluation 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Agriculture, Economics or related field in the Social Sciences, including courses in Marketing and Research 
• Training in Marketing 
• Three (3) years’ experience in the field of Agricultural Marketing Research 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Travelling island-wide and overseas to attend meetings and seminars 

AUTHORITY

• N/A

N.B: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted