Research Analyst – Global Food and Agriculture

This is a career-track position and we expect analysts to grow into consultants and project managers, with increasing responsibility and independence as experience increases.

As part of a small and growing company, you will be able to be involved in all stages of our projects and initiatives and work directly with our senior team. We are a bilingual team, with English as the basis of much of our communication.

We would expect you to jump in immediately to:

• Research deeply into topics across the entire food and agriculture supply chain. Recent examples include:
  • How are Japan’s major agrifood companies developing supply chains that are more sustainable and resilient?
  • How are carbon credit markets developing in APAC?
  • Where are the best opportunities for investment within Vietnam’s coffee industry?
  • How are technologies like drones, lab-grown meat, genome editing, carbon trading platforms and “smart farming” impacting global agriculture markets?
  • Which agri-tech and food tech start-ups have potential to expand overseas?
  • Can organic farmland increase in Japan?
  • How can JICA best support agricultural innovation and start-ups in Kenya?
• Interview industry experts, both in Japan and globally, from farmers to government, importers, start-ups, investors, and manufacturers
• Conduct field research in Japan and overseas markets to support international investment decisions, design export marketing strategies, work with businesses to test new ideas, and support governments with food and agriculture and innovation policy planning.
• Support implementation of projects from Japanese government agencies, such as JICA or MAFF, including liaising with government and industry stakeholders, negotiating and clarifying contracts and preparing official documents for meetings.
• Work with senior staff to plan Meros events, including webinars or networking events.
• Coordinate communication and team building among our global network of counterparts.
• Develop new proposals through communication with clients and Meros senior staff.
• Present solutions to clients and governments and discuss how new strategies and approaches can be implemented.

What we are Looking for:

• Creative, strategic thinker who loves working in an international environment.
• An entrepreneurial spirit – someone who takes the initiative to get things done – will thrive within Meros and out in the field.
• Deeply curious about people and ideas – constantly asking questions, seeking answers and solutions.
• Loves to write – enjoys the challenge of writing quickly, clearly and persuasively on complex topics.
• Deep interest in the global food and agriculture space, including awareness of trends, risks and challenges, food security, innovation and technology in food and agriculture, supply chain structures and trade policy.
• Demonstrated ability to gather, organize, and interpret data – very comfortable working with numbers.
• Excellent communication skills to build smooth relationships with our global partners, teammates and clients.
• Available to travel domestically and overseas for field research – typical overseas research trips are 1-2 weeks, several times a year (currently dependent on government travel advisories).
• Enjoys meeting new people, keen to network within our industry and represent Meros at events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Native-level Japanese and professional fluency in English. Additional languages (especially Mandarin, Spanish, etc.) a plus.
• Experience working in Japan and deep familiarity with the Japanese market – additional experience living and working outside of Japan strongly preferred.
• Interest in economics, trade, economic development, anthropology, international relations, market research and investigative journalism.
• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s degree in related subject preferred.
• Experience in agricultural development projects (JICA, etc.), food industry strategy and marketing, sustainability and impact investing issues will be a plus.