Investigador principal (Lead Researcher) – Guatemala

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Investigador principal (Lead Researcher) for a agriculture, monitoring evaluation consultancy assignment financed by FAO in Guatemala.

Aninver Development Partners SL is currently preparing a competitive proposal for an upcoming evaluation assignment commissioned by the FAO in Guatemala. The initiative focuses on the agricultural sector, specifically examining resilient livelihoods among vulnerable smallholder farmers across target rural landscapes and dry corridors in the country. To ensure a rigorous mid-term evaluation, we are seeking a qualified Lead Researcher to direct the comprehensive data collection process.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in designing, coordinating, and executing integrated quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies. Working closely with evaluation teams and local stakeholders, the Lead Researcher will ensure high standards of data integrity, contextual relevance, and timely reporting to inform strategic decision-making for ongoing agricultural development efforts in Guatemala.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Lead the overall design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments for the mid-term evaluation.
• Supervise fieldwork activities and field enumerators across designated rural regions in Guatemala.
• Ensure rigorous quality control, verification, and cleaning of both qualitative and quantitative datasets.
• Deliver structured databases and comprehensive analytical reports to feed into the FAO evaluation process.

Scope of work

• Conduct a thorough desk review of project documentation, background materials, and existing baseline information.
• Contextualize and adapt quantitative household survey questionnaires and qualitative data collection guides in coordination with the evaluation team.
• Plan and oversee the logistical deployment of field teams to target intervention zones.
• Direct the administration of surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with local beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Implement continuous quality control protocols during fieldwork to verify data consistency and accuracy.
• Manage the transcription of qualitative sessions and the cleaning, processing, and structuring of quantitative databases.
• Draft technical reports summarizing field findings and participate in validation meetings with project managers and evaluation leads.

Your role as Investigador principal (Lead Researcher)

• Serve as the Lead Researcher responsible for the technical delivery of all data collection activities.
• Supervise surveys, qualitative data gathering, and field monitoring operations.
• Design and apply appropriate sampling methodologies tailored to the target agricultural populations.
• Train and guide field supervisors, enumerators, and qualitative facilitators.
• Monitor fieldwork progress, resolve operational bottlenecks, and enforce rigorous quality assurance standards.
• Oversee data processing, cleaning, and the delivery of finalized analytical datasets and technical summaries.
• Collaborate seamlessly with the consulting firm management and international evaluation experts.

Requirements

• Education: Maestría o equivalente en economía, estadística, política social, sociología, estudios del desarrollo, agronomía o una disciplina similar
• Al menos 5 años de experiencia profesional pertinente, incluida la supervisión de encuestas y de la recopilación de datos cualitativos, el diseño y la aplicación del muestreo y el seguimiento en campo
• Al menos 2 encargos de recopilación de datos cualitativos o cuantitativos realizados como investigador principal en los últimos 5 años
• Languages: Conocimiento de los idiomas locales (español) de las áreas geográficas del estudio

Desirable

• Prior experience working on FAO or international donor-funded evaluations in Central America.
• Familiarity with resilience-building initiatives in agricultural and dryland regions.

An experienced Lead Researcher with a strong background in mixed-methods data collection, agricultural project evaluations, and rigorous field supervision in Guatemala.

Assignment details

• Location: Guatemala
• Financed by: FAO
• Sector: Agriculture, monitoring evaluation
• Estimated duration: 3 months
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a FAO-financed project in Guatemala.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.