The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Management Officer for a temporary position– Livestock Systems Baseline Evidence Synthesis to provide technical coordination and scientific writing support for the Gates Foundation Livestock Investment.
ILRI is an international organisation working for better lives and better planet through livestock. ILRI’s mission emphasises the interconnections between people, animals, and the environment, aiming to improve the lives of more than 300 million people in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that supports equitable and resilient livestock systems, ultimately contributing to food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. This mission is delivered through two core strategic objectives: co-designing and deploying sustainable, science-based livestock solutions, and leveraging science to inform and influence policy and investment decisions.
ILRI is a member of CGIAR, a global research alliance that works to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis and is the only CGIAR center dedicated to addressing multiple development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.
About the Position
The position will coordinate the synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence generated through multiple workstreams, including scoping reviews, evidence syntheses, systems functional assessments, outcome harvesting, contribution analysis, and reach modelling. The officer will work closely with ILRI research teams, Strathmore University, and external consultants to integrate findings into high-quality value chain synthesis reports and the overall investment baseline report.
The position will also support research management activities including evidence management, documentation of technical discussions, synthesis of key informant interviews, preparation of technical reports, and coordination of scientific outputs to ensure consistency, methodological rigor, and timely delivery of project milestones
Key Responsibilities
A. Evidence Synthesis and Scientific Reporting (40%)
- Coordinate the synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence generated across all workstreams of the baseline assessment.
- Lead the preparation of evidence synthesis reports for each livestock value chain (Dairy, Beef, Poultry, Small Ruminants, and Feed & Forage).
- Integrate findings across technical components including Animal Health, Animal Nutrition, Animal Productivity, Climate & Emissions, Policy & Advocacy, Markets, and Finance.
- Synthesize outputs from Strathmore University's evidence synthesis and modelling work with qualitative findings generated through systems functional assessments, outcome harvesting, and contribution analysis.
- Prepare technical summaries, synthesis reports, executive briefs, and scientific documentation for internal review and donor reporting.
- Support drafting and iterative refinement of the overall Livestock Systems Baseline Assessment Report.
B. Evidence Review and Knowledge Management (20%)
- Support the implementation of scoping reviews and systematic evidence syntheses using internationally recognized evidence synthesis methodologies.
- Assist in developing and refining search strategies, search strings, evidence inventories, and evidence extraction matrices.
- Coordinate management of literature databases, evidence repositories, reference libraries, and document management systems.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of evidence sources, review decisions, and synthesis processes to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
- Support preparation of technical annexes, evidence maps, and methodological documentation.
C. Research Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement (15%)
- Coordinate communication and information flow among teams working on this assignment
- Participate in technical planning meetings and coordinate follow-up actions.
- Organize and document technical review meetings, validation workshops, and stakeholder consultations.
- Prepare high-quality meeting minutes and action trackers.
- Support coordination of Advisory Team engagements and technical review processes.
D. Qualitative Research and Knowledge Synthesis (15%)
- Participate in Key Informant Interviews, stakeholder consultations, and technical workshops.
- Support note-taking, transcription review, coding, and thematic analysis of qualitative data.
- Synthesize qualitative findings generated from interviews, outcome harvesting exercises, and validation workshops.
- Contribute to triangulation of qualitative and quantitative findings.
- Assist in documenting systems change narratives, innovation pathways, and contribution stories.
E. Research Quality Assurance and Project Support (10%)
- Support quality assurance of technical reports and scientific outputs across all workstreams.
- Review consistency of analytical outputs, terminology, references, and evidence interpretation.
- Ensure adherence to agreed methodological standards and reporting templates.
- Track deliverables, timelines, and milestones for evidence synthesis activities.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Epidemiology, Statistics, Social Sciences, Animal Science, Research Methods, or another relevant discipline.
- Training in Systematic Reviews, Scoping Reviews, Evidence Synthesis, Knowledge Translation, Meta-analysis, or Mixed Methods Research.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research management, evidence synthesis, monitoring and evaluation, or applied research.
- Conducting scoping reviews and systematic reviews.
- Developing scientific synthesis reports.
- Integrating qualitative and quantitative research findings.
- Coordinating multidisciplinary research teams.
- Writing high-quality technical reports for research or development organizations.
- Working within international research organizations, universities, CGIAR Centres, or similar institutions.
Technical Skills
- Experience using reference management software such as EndNote, Zotero, Covidence, Rayyan, or similar.
- Experience using NVivo, Atlas.ti or MAXQDA for qualitative analysis.
- Familiarity with statistical software including R, STATA, SPSS or Python is desirable.
- Strong Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills
Evidence Synthesis
- Strong knowledge of scoping review and systematic review methodologies.
- Experience developing search strategies and Boolean search strings.
- Experience conducting evidence synthesis and literature reviews.
- Ability to prepare scientific synthesis reports suitable for publication and donor reporting.
Research and Analysis
- Strong qualitative and mixed-methods research skills.
- Experience synthesizing Key Informant Interviews and workshop findings.
- Experience with thematic analysis and qualitative coding.
- Ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative evidence into coherent analytical narratives.
Terms of Appointment
This position is at job level HG15 and is open to Kenyan Nationals only. The position is for a six-month contract period.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit:
- A CV and a cover letter outlining their interest in the position and the value they will bring to the role, addressed to the Head of People and Culture.
- The names and contact details (telephone and email) of three referees who are familiar with the applicant's professional qualifications and work experience.
Applications should be submitted through the ILRI Recruitment Portal by clicking on "Apply Now" on or before 2nd October 2026. The position title and reference number REF: RMO-LGNFR/2303-09/2026 in the subject line of the cover letter.
We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
