Impact Specialist, Peanut Innovation Lab

Ugajobsearch; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Georgia seeks an Impact Specialist for the Peanut Innovation Lab to scale technologies and measure economic impact across multiple countries via the GINA network. The role focuses on scaling mechanisms, partnerships, and a robust MEL framework to inform sponsors and policymakers.

The position is grant-funded for two years, with possible extension based on project needs and performance. Travel internationally is expected as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience.
• Masters or doctoral degree in relevant fields preferred.
• Experience designing or evaluating technology scaling and private-sector delivery models.
• Experience leading impact evaluations for development programs.
• Experience building public-private partnerships with multi-stakeholder platforms.
• Proficiency in Stata, R, and survey platforms (ODK/KoBo/Qualtrics).
• Working proficiency in French.

Responsibilities

• Designs and leads economic impact assessments of lab technologies and scaling models.
• Develops baseline, midline, and endline studies with quantitative and mixed methods.
• Maintains the lab’s Logic Frame, results framework, and MEL plan.
• Builds partnerships with private firms, producer organizations, NGOs, and government agencies.
• Prepares impact and scaling content for quarterly sponsor reports and briefs.
• Performs other duties to support program goals.

Skills

Economic impact methods

Results frameworks

Data analysis

Writing for sponsors

Partnership building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s or doctoral degree (preferred)

Tools

Stata

R

ODK/KoBo/Qualtrics

Job description

Impact Specialist, Peanut Innovation Lab

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Posting Details

Posting Details Posting Number S16015P Working Title Impact Specialist, Peanut Innovation Lab Department CAES-Peanut Innovation Lab About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine. About the College/Unit/Department College/Unit/Department website Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM. Occasional international and domestic travel.

Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience Posting Date 11/04/2026 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 12/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Athens Area

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail] ). USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02 .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom .

Position Information

Title Economic Development Pro III FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or doctoral degree in agricultural economics, economics, international development, public policy or a related field.
• Experience designing or evaluating technology scaling, agricultural mechanization or private-sector delivery models.
• Experience leading impact evaluations or monitoring, evaluation and learning for Feed the Future or comparable federally funded programs.
• Experience building public-private partnerships or multi-stakeholder platforms, including in West Africa.
• Proficiency in Stata, R or similar software, and in survey platforms such as ODK , KoBo or Qualtrics.
• Working proficiency in French.

Position Summary

The Impact Specialist leads the Peanut Innovation Lab’s work to scale its technologies and measure their economic impact. The lab is currently funded for two years and will operate across several countries through the GINA network.

The Impact Specialist designs and evaluates the lab’s scaling mechanisms, including GREAT Hubs and mechanization. This position builds the public-private and multi-stakeholder partnerships that carry technologies to producers and markets.

This position also owns the lab’s results framework and monitoring, evaluation and learning ( MEL ) plan. That plan shows sponsors, partners and policymakers which models produced economic returns and why, aligned with U.S. Department of State requirements.

This is a grant-funded position with an initial two-year appointment. Continued employment is based on the needs of the project, as well as available funding and satisfactory job performance and progress.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Experience with economic impact and cost-effectiveness methods, including quasi-experimental and mixed-methods designs
• Experience with results frameworks, logframes, and indicator systems, including Feed the Future standard indicators
• Knowledge of agricultural value changes and market systems in developing economies
• Clear writing skills for sponsors, partners, and policymakers

Physical Demands

• Normal for an office environment
• Travel internationally, including extended trips to partner countries

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? Yes

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website .

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .

Duties/Responsibilities

Scaling and Technology Transfer

• Develops the lab’s strategy for scaling technologies to producers, processors, and markets in Senegal and spill-over countries
• Designs, launches, and evaluates scaling mechanisms, including GREAT Hubs and mechanization service models
• Assesses market demand, delivery channels, and business models for lab technologies with private-sector and public partners
• Advices faculty investigators on moving research outputs into use, and coordinates with University technology transfer offices where intellectual property is involved

Percentage of time 25

Economic Impact Assessment

• Designs and leads economic impact assessments of lab technologies and scaling models, including adoption, yield, income, and market effects
• Conducts baseline, midline, and endline studies and periodic impact evaluations using quantitative and mixed methods
• Analyzes cost-effectiveness and return on investment of scaling mechanisms to guide where the lab invests
• Synthesizes findings on what scaled, what did not, and why for program decisions and policy audiences

Percentage of time 25

Results Framework and MEL

• Develops and maintains the lab’s Logic Frame (logframe), results framework, and MEL Plan
• Defines indicators, targets, and data collection protocols, and tracks key indicators across partners
• Ensures indicator data meet U.S. Department of State standards, including data quality assessments
• Trains partner staff in data collection and reporting

Percentage of time 20

Partnerships and Multi-stakeholder Platforms

• Builds and maintains partnerships with private firms, producer organizations, NGOs, and government agencies that deliver lab technologies
• Supports the lab’s Multi-Stakeholder Platforms, bringing partners together around shared scaling goals
• Represents the lab in public-private dialogue and investor and policy meetings as delegated by the Project Manager and Director

Percentage of time 15

Reporting and Learning

• Prepares impact and scaling sections of quarterly progress reports for the sponsor
• Prepares reports, briefs, and presentations on scaling mechanisms and lessons learned for partners and policymakers
• Works with the Communications Specialist to turn findings into success stories and public materials

Percentage of time 10

Other Duties

• Contributes impact and scaling content to new proposals
• Serves as a P-Card holder for the lab, processing transactions in compliance with policy and established procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the program

Percentage of time 5

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact Name Maddilyn Johnson

Recruitment Contact Email [e-mail]

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents

• Other Documents #1