National Consultant - Straw Management

• Preparing an inception report that includes the study approach, scope of survey, data collection approach, timeline with key milestones, and deliverables in close consultation with the IRRI team.
• Comprehensive assessment of rice straw management status in Thailand considering key value chain factors (e.g, service providers, machines (tractors, balers, etc.), rice straw-based production, utilization of rice straw, site-specific context, etc.):

• Desk study and synthesize data resulting from the previous projects, studies, and/or research.
• Collect additional data on rice straw management in selected provinces based on selected value chains.
• Conduct a field survey of alternative rice straw uses and in-depth interviews with value chain actors.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation. Analyze the collected data using appropriate statistical methods and interpret the findings.
• Identification of suitable management option(s) for different geographies by conducting a feasibility study and evaluation of scale-appropriate technologies/innovations, technical-based business model feasibility for the use of rice straw as an alternative to burning.
• Recommendations of suitable management option(s) for different geographies in Thailand and scale-appropriate technologies for the project based on the assessment of analyzed results for piloting the most promising uses during the Thai Rice GCF project timeline.
• Report writing and delivering. Prepare and submit a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study report summarizing the findings, detailing each alternative, and suggesting feasible options(s) towards business model development.

• Ph.D in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Applied Economics, Agricultural Sciences, Applied Sciences, or other relevant fields.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working with feasibility studies and/or economic analysis, particularly in agriculture related to rice production.
• Experience in conducting similar work in Thailand, particularly experience in the rice sector.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting feasibility studies, economic viability, agricultural market analysis, policy analysis, and preparing detailed reports and summaries.

• Knowledge in designing and developing survey questionnaires, experience in conducting field surveys.
• Demonstrated command over writing professional reports in English in a timely manner as evidenced by the submission of sample reports

• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines while still maintaining attention to detail and accuracy, and problem-solve effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work in a team.

International Rice Research Institute