We are looking for two student interns who will be part of a pilot research project on digital agriculture in Ghana. The project focuses on digital platforms and agricultural mechanization in the context of smallholder farming. As a student intern you will be employed for a total of 90 days (8 hour working time per day) over the course of three months both in Accra and in various rural settings. Your supervisor will be Dr Comfort Freeman. The envisioned start of the internship is June 1st, 2023.
Organizational Setting
This is a small-scale pilot project by a group of researchers from University of Ghana, Wageningen University and Research, NL, Durham University, UK, and Cavendish University, Zambia. The internship aims to attract talented students who are interested in agricultural transformation, are passionate about research and are keen to work in an international, interdisciplinary team. The internship provides a learning opportunity to the students to supplement their academic knowledge with hands-on research experience working on an applied research project and the possibility to become a co-author on a peer-reviewed journal article.
Tasks and responsibilities
As a student intern, you will be required to collect data using qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews and focus groups, as well as surveys. You will participate in team meetings (in-person and online) and report on the data collection progress. You will take an active part in designing research instruments, developing research protocols and interpreting research results. You may be asked to participate in data processing (data cleaning and interview transcription) where necessary. Optional: if you are interested in co-authoring an academic publication, you will also be involved in the write up process.
Requirements
· You must be enrolled in a PhD program in the University of Ghana at the time of application.
· You must provide evidence that you have passed your Comprehensive exam and are ready to begin your internship.
· You must specialize in a broadly defined social science field relevant to the project, such as agricultural extension, agricultural science, rural studies, development studies, innovation studies, digital development, or another relevant field.
· Good knowledge of English (written and oral) as well as a local language such as Twi is required.
· You must have experience working with farmers and other local actors and have in-depth knowledge of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Ghana.
· You must be willing to travel within Ghana and be comfortable staying in rural areas, including modest accommodation, when needed.
· You must have excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, high level of independency and self-organizing.
· You must have a good working knowledge of Word and Excel software as well as some experience in analyzing qualitative research data;
· You must be over 18 years old to apply.
How To Apply
· Please send your CV, your motivational statement (600 words maximum) and a writing sample (e.g. course paper, dissertation manuscript, an essay) to Dr Comfort Freeman at Comfort Yomle Freeman <cfreeman@ug.edu.gh> and Dr Nyamwaya Munthali <nmunthali@cavendish.co.zm> by April 30th, 2023. Please be sure to add ‘Agricultural Platforms Internship’ as message title.
· Selected applicants will be invited for an interview. Interviews will be held between 10th and 12th of May, 2023
Conditions
This is a free-lance appointment: you will be paid per working day with a daily rate of 27 EUR for each day of fieldwork (i.e. when outside of Accra). You may be asked to participate in project meetings outside of your contracted dates. You are responsible for your own health and work insurance, where applicable. You are responsible for settling any tax deductions as required by Ghanaian law. All of your travel (public transportation or cost of gasoline where appropriate) and accommodation expenses for the purpose of the project will be reimbursed upon the presentation of valid receipts. Upon completing your internship, you will receive a certificate from the University of Wageningen. Conditional on your performance, the team will also provide letters of reference for you if required by your future employer.
