Research Officer (SOG/ST 6)

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Director, Data Analysis & Design (SOG/ST 8), the Research Officer (SOG/ST 6) supports data-driven decision making by conducting research, analyzing trends, and designing models that optimize agricultural productivity, sustainability, and policy development. 

The incumbent also participates in gathering and interpreting data related to crop yields, the collection, tabulation, analyses, and interpretation of data to facilitate the marketing of agricultural products and provides actionable insights to enhance operational efficiency and strategic planning. 

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative: 

• Assists in the development of objectives, work schedules, and plans for performing the duties of the Section; 
• Participates and 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/Professional: 

• Conducts research, collects agricultural data, and analyzes trends to support evidence based decision making; 
• Create statistical models and forecasting tools to predict outcomes and improve agricultural planning; 
• Provides data-driven recommendations for agricultural policies, resource allocation, and sustainability initiatives; 
• 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 Statistician/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. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and 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 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 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 Condition Associated with the Job 
• Travelling island-wide and overseas to attend meetings and seminars

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.