Senior Research Fellow–Input Markets Program

THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
POSITION # 11-115–SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW/MTID

POSITION SUMMARY:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as Senior Research Fellow/ Inputs Markets Program in its Markets, Trade and Institutions Division. This is a two-year, fixed term, exempt, renewable appointment based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The candidate will work in the newly-created Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), which is an initiative of the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) with the primary aim of promoting agricultural sector transformation by supporting existing structures of government, private-sector and other non-governmental partners to address systemic bottlenecks and deliver on a priority national agenda to achieve growth and food security.

The formation of the ATA is a result of two years of extensive diagnostic study across eight sub-sectors of Ethiopia’s agricultural system in a highly-consultative, multi-stakeholder process. Its structure and function is focused on nimble, innovative and results-oriented support to a range of partners in the agricultural sector.

Programmatically, the ATA will focus on a set of high priority initiatives identified by an inter-ministerial Council chaired by the Prime Minister. There are expected to be approximately 6-7 initial areas of focus, including seeds, markets/cooperatives, technology access and adoption and extension and research. Across the thematic initiatives, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models. The ATA will be financed by GOE and a range of development partners.

The Senior Research Fellow will have primary responsibility for developing, implementing and supporting a portfolio of initiatives to improve the agricultural input market system in Ethiopia. The Senior Research Fellow would seek to improve smallholder farmers’ access to high quality, locally tailored agricultural inputs—such as seeds, fertilizer and financial services—in high priority areas in cereals, high value crops and livestock. The ideal Senior Research Fellow would possess a passion for improving the lives of smallholder farmers, a deep familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural system and extensive knowledge of agricultural marketing and cooperatives. S/he would likewise possess the entrepreneurial ability to visualize transformation, to mobilize stakeholders across system and to drive practical change on the ground.

The Senior Research Fellow, Input Markets Program will report to the Division Director of the Market, Trade & Institutions Divisions of IFPRI with day-to-day working with the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency.

Essential Duties:

• Conceive, launch and support a portfolio of integrated initiatives designed to measurably improve the agricultural input market system in Ethiopia.
• Build the capacity, as necessary, of key government, private and informal actors in Ethiopia’s agricultural system to enable long-term improvements in the agricultural input market system.
• Document and analyze the lessons of experiences in agricultural inputs markets.
• Serve as the leader of the Input Markets Program team, responsible for the overall scientific direction and management of the Program.
• Engage stakeholders across the agricultural system (government, business, civil society, universities, extensions, cooperatives, farmer organizations, farmers, input providers, donors, etc.) to identify and prioritize actions to improve the agricultural input market system.
• Work with stakeholders to design and then implement high-priority interventions to improve the agricultural input market system.
• Support stakeholders to mobilize needed financial, human or organizational resources for project execution.
• Manage the performance of ATA agricultural input markets initiatives; setting key performance indicators, milestones and targets; engaging stakeholders to creatively solve problems and overcome obstacles in order to achieve desired results.
• Critically assess capacity gaps hindering the effective implementation of ATA agricultural input markets initiatives and developing approaches for improving capabilities as required. Using the ATA agricultural input markets initiatives as a platform for project-based learning.
• Integrate agricultural input markets initiatives with other ATA programs to achieve synergies and outcomes that impact the broader agricultural system.
• Draw lessons and experiences from the program, so they can be shared as international public goods.


Required Qualifications:

• PhD in agricultural economics, applied economics or related field.
• Demonstrated 10-15 years of experience in senior program leadership role in government, international agency or private sector.
• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural system, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private and informal actors operate within the system.
• Deep knowledge of modern agricultural marketing systems and farmers’ cooperatives, as well as public, private and other alternative distribution models.
• Practical experience in identifying problems and piloting implementation at the local level. Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities.
• Experience in managing an agribusiness related to seed production and marketing; and demonstrated ability of creating public private partnerships in the areas of mutual interests.
• Established track record of success with program design, performance management, learning systems and monitoring & evaluation
• Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in at least Amharic and/or one additional Ethiopian language is a plus.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, with an emphasis on high-performance, teamwork, accountability and results.
• Ability to build relationships with all kinds of people.
• Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style.
• Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service.

IFPRI is one of the international agricultural research institutes organized under the umbrella of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The mandate of IFPRI is to identify and analyze alternative national and international strategies and policies for meeting world food needs in ways that conserve the natural resource base, with emphasis on low income and on the poorer groups in the countries.

IFPRI offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. IFPRI is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence. We encourage women and developing country professionals to apply.

TO APPLY:
Go to www.ifpri.org . Click on “Careers” and “Research” to link you to Position # 11-115– SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW/Inputs Markets Program/MTID. Please complete on-line application, including a complete curriculum vitae and a detailed letter of interest. Also complete section providing 3 references.

For more information on IFPRI, please visit our website at www.ifpri.org . EOE
For more information about the ATA please visit: www.ethiopian-ata.org