How to apply for Expressions of Interest

About Precision Development

Precision Development (PxD) is a nonprofit that uses digital technology and rigorous evidence to help smallholder farmers in low-income countries increase productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. Unlike typical NGOs, PxD operates like a research lab and a tech startup combined—running randomized evaluations and scaling successful interventions through mobile platforms. Working here means your research directly informs programs that reach millions of farmers, and you'll collaborate with economists, data scientists, and field teams in India and Kenya.

About the role

This is an expressions-of-interest (EOI) pipeline for recurring research roles—both Research Manager and Research Associate—at PxD. Research Managers lead end-to-end studies, supervise teams, and translate findings into programmatic decisions, while Research Associates support study design, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and matched to openings as they arise, this is your chance to get on PxD's radar for future research opportunities in India or Kenya.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing data quality checks from an ongoing survey in Kenya, leading a team meeting to troubleshoot enumerator challenges, and analyzing preliminary results in Stata to prepare a briefing for program managers. You might also join a call with academic partners to refine a study design or draft a report section for a donor. The work is fast-paced, collaborative, and directly tied to improving farmers' livelihoods.

Who Precision Development is looking for

• Based in India or Kenya (strongly preferred) with fluency in local languages and context
• For Research Manager: 4+ years of experience managing field research or impact evaluations, including team supervision and stakeholder communication
• For Research Associate: 2+ years of experience in data collection, cleaning, and analysis using tools like Stata, R, or Python
• Demonstrated interest in agricultural development, digital technology, or poverty alleviation—ideally with experience in smallholder farming contexts
• Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or other causal inference methods

Tips for this application

• Submit your EOI even if no specific role is open—PxD reviews applications on a rolling basis and matches candidates to openings as they arise, so timing matters less than getting in the pipeline.
• Clearly state in your cover letter whether you are applying for Research Manager, Research Associate, or both, and align your experience to the corresponding responsibilities.
• Highlight any experience working in India or Kenya, especially with smallholder farmers, mobile data collection (e.g., SurveyCTO, ODK), or digital advisory services.
• Quantify your research impact: mention sample sizes, number of enumerators managed, budget oversight, or how your findings influenced a program decision.
• Show familiarity with PxD's work—reference specific projects or publications from their website to demonstrate genuine interest in their approach.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, emphasize: (1) your ties to India or Kenya and understanding of smallholder farming systems; (2) your hands-on experience with RCTs or impact evaluations, including data collection and analysis tools; (3) your ability to manage teams and translate research into actionable program recommendations; and (4) why PxD's model of combining technology, evidence, and scaling appeals to you specifically.

Research before applying

• Read PxD's recent publications and blog posts to understand their current research priorities (e.g., digital extension, market access, climate resilience).
• Explore their flagship programs like 'Precision Agriculture for Development' and 'Farmer Advice and Information' to see how research translates into field operations.
• Learn about their partner organizations and funders (e.g., Gates Foundation, USAID, J-PAL) to understand the broader ecosystem they work in.
• Check LinkedIn profiles of current PxD research staff to see typical career paths and skills they value.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design an RCT to evaluate a mobile advisory service for farmers? Walk us through your sampling, treatment arms, and key outcomes.
• Describe a time you managed a field research team under challenging conditions. How did you ensure data quality and team morale?
• How do you handle missing data or attrition in panel surveys? What methods have you used?
• Tell us about a study where your findings led to a change in program strategy. What was the outcome?
• How would you communicate complex research results to non-technical program staff or donors?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention PxD's mission or your specific interest in smallholder farming—they receive many applications and will notice a lack of tailoring.
• Failing to specify whether you're applying for Research Manager or Research Associate, or applying for both without clearly differentiating your qualifications.
• Ignoring the geographic preference: if you're not based in India or Kenya, you must make a compelling case for why you should be considered remotely or for other locations.
• Overemphasizing academic theory without demonstrating practical field experience or data collection skills—PxD values implementation as much as research design.