Purpose of role: To carry out research tasks and contribute to the studies and projects of LMC s Oils Team. Primary Responsibilities: - To carry out research assignments to the standards and timetable set by the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects. - To acquire a detailed knowledge of the private and public institutions, personalities, and technologies in the oils sector, and be able to formulate in rigorous economic terms but simple language, ideas about the economic forces, including the policies, market trends and structural changes shaping the oilseed and oils sector. - Contribute to the monthly and quarterly publications of the Oils Team, according to the publication schedule, and following guidelines set by the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects. - Assist in carrying out single projects and multi-client studies to the standards and timetable set by the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects or a Senior Economist. - Participate, along with other team members, in the planning, preparation and work content of Oils Team projects. - Discuss project content and methodology with the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects or Senior Economist. - Maintain a detailed knowledge of the Oils industry by reading relevant publications and attending relevant meetings with the approval of the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects. - Discuss and review the research programme, particularly as regards timing, quality and content of research, with the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects and rest of the team, at regular meetings. - Ensure that work projects (single, multi-client and regular) are completed on schedule and within project budget. - Assist in maintaining and organising all general files and documents used in the work of the Oils Team. - Ensure that records (including data, computer files and backups, lists of contacts, visit notes and discussions) relevant to the specific projects being undertaken are up to date. - Liaise with existing clients as required and travel, as required, on research trips. - Assist the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects in the generation of project ideas and in the management of designated projects, including assistance with the preparation of multi-client proposals, project proposals and post-publication brochures. - Liaise with the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects and Business Development Manager in the sales of specifically designed proposals. - Ensure that project abstracts are completed at the end of each project when requested by the Sales team. - After agreement with the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects, the team member may be called upon to provide research and other types of assistance to other Commodity teams. - Discuss progress of current projects and planning of new ones regularly, at least weekly, with Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects, plus any other relevant research or personnel matters. - Assist when required in the preparation of monthly and annual sales and work completion targets, in conjunction with the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects, and with relevant sales staff. - Ensure that personal monthly timesheets are completed. - Communicate about project progress and completion with other research staff, and with Sales and Admin as necessary. - Report project completion to Sales and Admin so that invoicing (indicate if this is to include expenses) and deliverables can be arranged. - Ensure that visit notes and expenses are completed and submitted after each research trip, that client contact is reported to the Business Development Manager. - Participate in formal work evaluation sessions with the Director of Oilseeds & Special Projects, following the agreed LMC evaluation procedure. The overall aim is to provide feedback to improve research and management, and to highlight any improvements, difficulties and problems in undertaking these tasks, as well as to identify training needs and adapt job description as required. - Where appropriate, assist in the training of new staff
