Research Officer (SOG/ST 6)

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Director, Agricultural Market Research (SOG/ST 8), the Research Officer 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 Responsibilities

Management/Administrative 

• 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 

• 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-processors to determine the needs for agricultural raw material;
• Performs any other related duties which may be assigned. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core 

• Good oral and written communication skills 
• Good 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 
• 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 Qualification 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 islandwide and overseas to attend meetings and seminars.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.