Scientist, Agricultural Economist - Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Bioversity International

Scientist, Agricultural Economist

Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources

Closing date: 15 July 2012. Applications will continue to be received and considered until the position is filled.

Bioversity International (“Bioversity” for short) is the world’s largest organization undertaking research on agricultural biodiversity, dedicated to addressing global issues related to food security, poverty, climate change and environmental degradation. We are a non profit organization, active in over 100 countries worldwide, with more than 350 staff working from some 16 country offices. We are one of 15 centres of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR). This is an exciting time to join Bioversity International. We have recently developed new and ambitious goals, clear objectives and performance indicators for the next ten years. Two strategic priorities have been set ? to improve the use of biodiversity by smallholder farmers and the conservation of plant diversity.

For further information on Bioversity International, consult the Web page at http://www.bioversityinternational.org

Purpose of Role

With international attention now focused on the need to increase investment in agriculture, Bioversity is now seeking a highly motivated and dynamic person to lead economic research in the area of commodity genetic resources, productivity, and value chains and to carry out impact assessment of our research contributing to our strategic research unit. Based in our regional office either at CATIE in Turrialba, Costa Rica, or in Kampala in Uganda, the incumbent will coordinate and lead research in order to:

- evaluate the contribution of agrobiodiversity and agro-ecological intensification to improved livelihoods of small-scale farmers and to resilience of households and rural communities facing changing market environments and climate conditions.

- assess the impact of Bioversity’s work on increased use of biodiversity in commodity-based smallholder production systems on livelihoods, poverty reduction and gender equity.

The selected candidate will work with partners, stakeholders at the global, national and local levels in implementing Bioversity’s strategy and research agenda in leveraging the use of agrobiodiversity for sustainable intensification of production systems and more stable and resilient livelihoods.

Key responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Leader of the Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Programme, the incumbent will have the following specific responsibilities:

• Carry out studies on the economic and social drivers for agro-ecological intensification and the use of diverse genetic resources in smallholder production systems based on banana, cocoa and coconut;

• Assess the effects of agro-biodiversity use in these systems on allocation of production resources and household outcomes in terms of food security, income generation and resilience towards climate change;

• Carry out economic research on the impact, impact pathways and research processes of Bioversity’s research in commodity genetic resources, productivity and value chains;
• Produce scientific publications and other impact-oriented products from high quality research;

• Provide backstopping for data collection during project implementation to secure data availability for monitoring and evaluation as well as ex-post impact assessment;

• Collaborate with other scientists, both within Bioversity and other CGIAR Centres and research organizations, including relevant CGIAR Research Programmes (CRPs) and partnership platforms;

• Contribute to capacity building for ex-ante and ex-post impact assessment through collaborative research with national partners;

• Contribute to the Impact Assessment Unit at Bioversity and within relevant CRPs in developing and updating concepts and methods for comprehensive impact assessment of agricultural research;

• Ensure the timely development of concepts, proposals, communications and reports for a range of donors, working with the Resource Mobilization Team; take part in meetings and other events with donors and potential donors.

Qualifications and competencies

Essential qualifications & competencies

• Ph.D. in agricultural or development economics, with expertise in the area of impact assessment.

• Strong statistical background and experience in rigorous design of impact studies and analyses of household survey data.

• Understanding of innovative analytical approaches and platforms for new ways of analyzing data.

• At least 5 years of research experience in economic impact assessment, particularly in developing countries, preferably carried out in an international context.

• A sustained record of scientific achievement and innovation including experience with implementation of research projects and a demonstrated publication record in relevant fields.

• A commitment to and demonstrated track record of working within multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments.

• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to motivate, catalyze and promote engagement through negotiation and consensus-building.

• Drive and entrepreneurship to pursue and develop new research opportunities.

• Experience in developing and writing research proposals.

• Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written.

Desirable qualifications and competencies

• Experience in and high personal commitment to capacity building through collaborative research with national partners and supervision of graduate student’s thesis research.

• Experience in implementing research supporting sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity including ecosystem health, ecology, plant sciences, or related economic aspects.
• Participation in global fora and networks on the future of global and local food systems

• Fluency in Spanish and/or French.

Terms and conditions: This is a Scientist level internationally recruited position. Bioversity International offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance, housing allowance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars. The initial contract will be for a period of three years subject to a probationary period of one year.

Applications: Please apply online through Bioversity Job Opportunities web page

(http://www.bioversityinternational.org/about_us/job_opportunities.html)

by clicking the “Apply” button, completing the online application and attaching the required information. The closing date for the vacancy is 15 July 2012, but we will continue accepting applications until the position is filled, which can be monitored in the “Job Opportunities” section of our web site. Please note that in the application you are required to provide the contact details (address, telephone number and e-mail address) of at least three referees, which Bioversity will contact for short listed applicants.

Bioversity is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity.

Women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged to apply