Staff Associate I

The Staff Associate I will use their knowledge of index insurance, financing forecast actions and scientific methods of analysis to supports Research Staff in the development of research, analysis, fieldwork, and interfacing with projects to assure alignment with other NCDP research and engagement, primarily on index insurance related projects. Uses analytical skills to solve moderately complex problems based on guidelines, protocols, and procedures. Plays coordination role in specific research projects. Supports an array of Financial Instruments Sector Team research projects, with primary focus on the Financial Instrument Sector Team's work in West Africa, and the Financial Instruments Sector Team stakeholder capacity-building projects, which support the development of insurance, disaster risk reduction, and use of forecasts for low-income farmers and governments. At the first year of hire, the position will be externally funded, and all work will involve essential research that can be performed remotely.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Gather field data for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that are likely to include economics, climate science, policy, remote sensing, risk and vulnerability assessments, participatory action research, participatory planning research, or agricultural sciences.
• Document research findings, status, and processes.
• Perform analysis to support research manuscripts.
• Facilitate, develop materials for, and participate in meetings, workshops and capacity-building trainings, ofter internationally, involving in-region travel, primarily in East and Southern Africa and coordination with partners and stakeholders. Shares information and confirmation of data. Some workshops may be for project partners for other institutions or nations, including on-the-ground implementation teams. Initially, the focus would be for practical training in East and Southern Africa of government employees, Universities, insurance companies, and local village representatives.
• Aid in the design of quantitative software and web tools for research, application, and training processes.
• Perform analysis that may support the development of proposals.
• Promote knowledge-sharing and communication of research by contributing to efforts in outreach and institutional publications.
• Assist in discussions with research assistants and graduate students in research activities.
• Reports directly to the Senior Research Scientist. Performs with general supervision and direction.
• Exercises independent judgement and initiative within parameters set by the Senior Research Scientist.
• Works within guidelines to carry out assigned duties in the needs of a project, conducting specific modeling and analysis of data.
• Will not have any supervisory duties.

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and at least 4 years of experience in economics, climate science, technology, policy, remote sensing, or agricultural sciences or a Master's degree plus 2 years of experience. Master's degree preferred. Strong written and verbal English skills are essential. Strong written and verbal French skills desired. Experience in research, capacity-building, and interfacing with large-scale index insurance projects desired. Candidate should have experience with software tools to support operational and analytical research activities including potentially light markup software, git repository management, and data analysis in stata and R. Candidates must be able to perform in international settings, both academic and non-academic, virtual and in person (conditions permitting). Significant travel may be required (conditions permitting) to represent the NCDP in multiple regions with multidisciplinary researchers and partners.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the advertisement appears and will continue until the position is filled.

Appointments are made on a fiscal year basis and are eligible for renewal each July 1st, contingent upon performance and funding.

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointment.

The Climate School values diversity and inclusion, and encourages applications from members of underrepresented minority groups.

We accept online applications only.