Regional Value Chain Specialist

Ref.: 11- 44 RVC/RRS/ESEAP

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweet potato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

The position: This position will be based in Los Baños, Philippines and report to CIP’s Sweetpotato Science Leader for Asia. This position is highly suitable for those seeking post-doctoral appointment or in an early stage of career development. This position is an urgent, strategic investment for strengthening CIP’s research capacity to respond to increased opportunities for value chain development in the root and tuber crops (RTCs) sector.

As junior scientist, the Regional Value Chain Specialist shall be under the mentoring of a senior marketing specialist while working with an interdisciplinary team of CIP staff and partners. S/he is expected to contribute to CIP’s research-for-development activities related to value chain innovations in Southeast and South Asia.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide expertise in pro-poor market analysis, value-added processing and/or market chain development
• Identify specific needs for upgrading technology, management and organization in value chains
• Undertake studies and capacity building activities related to the planning, implementation and evaluation of action-oriented research on agricultural markets and value chains
• Advise on inclusion of value chain dimension in major projects, from the design to the implementation phase.

Selection criteria:

• PhD degree or PhD candidate in horticulture, food science and related applied biophysical disciplines; preferably with additional training in socio-economics, marketing and consumer studies, and/or business management.
• At least 3 years research experience in any of the following: development and promotion of relevant value-adding technological/institutional/commercial innovations; assessment of market/value chains, strategies for pro-poor value chain development, and facilitating chain-wide learning and action through participatory approaches.
• Direct work experience within the Asian region including field-based action research and public-private partnership.
• Commitment to work in a multi-partner, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential and other languages are desired.
• Willingness to travel across the region.
• Citizen of an Asian country.

Conditions: Appointment shall be for a two-year term, renewable subject to available funding. Salary will be regionally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. The package of benefits is for an unaccompanied (individual) posting which includes employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance and retirement benefits. Allowances toward relocation, housing, home leave travel and annual leave are also provided. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: CIP-Recruitment@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on 22 December 2011 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org.