CALL FOR VOLUNTARY EVALUATORS

CALL FOR VOLUNTARY EVALUATORS

The Animal Welfare League is inviting applications from experts interested in joining its AWL Research Evaluation Panel as voluntary evaluators.

This is an opportunity to contribute to independent research evaluation and help strengthen evidence that may inform standards bodies, regulators and decision-makers across Africa.

ROLE: Voluntary Evaluator | AWL Research Evaluation Panel

LOCATION: Remote, Global

TIME COMMITMENT: 2–7 hours per assignment, with approximately 1–3 assignments per year

APPLICATIONS: Rolling

CURRENT OPPORTUNITY

Panels for the 2026–2027 studies are currently being formed, with the first assignments expected to be issued in October 2026.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH

The Animal Welfare League works to improve farmed animal welfare across Africa, with a focus on chickens and fish in Ghana, Morocco, South Africa and Egypt.

The organization is commissioning independent research on:

1. The economics of cage-free egg production in South Africa.
2. The status of cage systems in broiler production across Africa.
3. The cost of building aviary laying-hen housing in Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa.

The research will be published openly, with some findings potentially informing standards bodies and regulators.

WHAT WILL THE EVALUATOR DO?

Evaluators will receive completed research work, such as a research proposal, economic analysis or scoping paper, together with a one-page scoring rubric.

You will:

1. Assess the quality and rigor of the work.
2. Score the research using the published rubric.
3. Provide brief comments and feedback.
4. Participate in a short panel call where discussion is required.

Evaluators will assess research based on rigor, appropriate use of evidence, honesty about uncertainty and whether the findings are useful for standards or policy decision-making.

The direction of the findings or whether they benefit AWL will not be part of the assessment.

ASSIGNMENTS

The deadline for each assignment will be communicated before acceptance and will be at least two weeks away.

Evaluators may decline an assignment without explanation, and declining an assignment will not remove them from the panel.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Applicants with working knowledge of any of the following are encouraged to apply:

1. Agricultural, livestock or applied economics.
2. Poultry production science, including layer and broiler systems.
3. Commercial poultry in African markets, including production, processing, retail or supply.
4. Standards development, regulation or public policy.
5. Statistics, econometrics or quantitative methods.
6. Trade, customs and supply-chain analysis.
7. Agricultural engineering, construction costing or quantity surveying.

Prior animal welfare experience is not required.

AWL particularly encourages applications from evaluators based in Africa and professionals with experience in the markets covered by the research.

WHAT IS EXPECTED?

Evaluators should provide honest and independent assessments, including identifying weaknesses in commissioned research or findings that are not adequately supported by evidence.

Panel members must also complete a declaration of interests covering relevant relationships with poultry industry organizations, producers, processors, industry bodies and poultry housing equipment manufacturers.

A relationship does not automatically disqualify an evaluator, but non-disclosure may.

Confidentiality must be maintained until the research is published.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

1. US$250 token honorarium for each completed assessment.
2. Named credit when panel composition is published, unless you request not to be named.
3. Early access to research and underlying data that will subsequently be published openly.
4. An opportunity to contribute to future research priorities.

WHAT AWL WILL NOT REQUIRE

Evaluators will not be required to:

1. Chase authors.
2. Edit research work.
3. Resolve disputes.
4. Endorse research findings.
5. Sign anything beyond their own scores and comments.

HOW TO APPLY

Send an email to:

careers@animalwelfareleague.org

SUBJECT: Research Evaluation Panel

In a few lines, indicate:

1. Your areas of expertise.
2. The markets or countries you know.
3. Approximately how much time you could contribute each year.
4. Any relationships that should be included in your declaration of interests.

A CV or publication link is welcome but not required.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: ROLLING

The panels for the three 2026–2027 studies are currently being formed.

READ THE FULL CALL

READ THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

EMAIL: careers@animalwelfareleague.org