Climate Economists – Post-doctoral fellow or Associate Scientist

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seek two applied economists to join our international team of scientists working on improving the livelihoods of maize and wheat farmers in the developing world. As a member of the CIMMYT Socioeconomics Program and in collaboration with national and international partners, you will undertake socioeconomic research on climate change, agriculture and food security issues. The project aims to evaluate various adaptation and mitigation strategies and climate-smart options that improve food security and resilience of small-scale farmers in maize and wheat based systems. Rooted in a strong culture of high-quality agricultural economics and social science research, the CIMMYT Socioeconomics Program has a team of qualified and motivated scientists operating in different regions and working closely with biophysical scientists. One position will be based in the East Africa region and the second one in the South Asia region.

Primary research objectives include:

• Evaluating alternative technological and institutional innovations for adapted farming systems to changing climate conditions Developing economically viable strategies and risk-insurance and information systems for managing climate risk and building resilient livelihoods
• Assess the economic and social feasibility of prop-poor and gender inclusive climate mitigation in cereal systems
• Assess climate change impacts in maize and wheat systems at global & regional levels and identify hotspots to define integrated options for reducing vulnerability
• Develop decision tools and policy options for enhancing diffusion and farmer uptake of climate smart agricultural technologies and practices.

Your job will require that you:

• Work with a team of biophysical and social scientists to understand farmer’ risk management and adaption strategies
• Compile analyze gender disaggregated household and community surveys data in targeted regions
• Collect value chain data on prices, grain supply and volatility affecting maize food and seed relief systems
• Evaluate and identify pro-poor and gender equitable risk insurance and management strategies for small-scale farmers
• Analyze existing data and identify constraints for adoption of conservation agriculture and other low carbon agric development innovations
• Develop farm household bioeconomic models and decision tools for analysis of risk management strategies and identify optimal technology combinations that enhance livelihoods and system resilience
• Develop impact pathways for linking knowledge on currently known adaptation strategies in cereal systems with action through participatory interaction with stakeholders
• Analyze differential impacts of climate adaptation and mitigation options on different social groups
• Participate in center-wide and program strategy development and priority setting.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

• PhD in Agricultural and resource economics, environment and development economics or related discipline from an internationally recognized university
• Relevant post-doctoral experience of 2 years (association scientist)
• Good understanding of the challenges of climate change, adaptation and mitigation options and impacts on agriculture and food security in developing countries
• Experience in combining applied quantitative approaches with qualitative methods; survey design and analysis; modeling of household decision behavior and bio-economic interactions in complex farming systems.
• Demonstrated contributions to applied agricultural economics through publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
• An effective innovative and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment which will involve extensive travel.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills in English to express complex concepts in simple terms.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. The center works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems and thus ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center's outputs and services include improved maize and wheat varieties and cropping systems, the conservation of maize and wheat genetic resources, and capacity building. CIMMYT belongs to and is funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) and also receives support from national governments, foundations, development banks, and other public and private agencies.

CIMMYT has had enormous impact in the developing world. It is the center of excellence for work on two of the three most important food crops in the developing world. Its most famous employee, Dr. Norman Borlaug, is credited by many with saving more lives than any other individual in the history of the world. Borlaug’s work dramatically increased yields of wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the 1960s and 1970s, staving off starvation for hundreds of millions. For this work, Borlaug received the Nobel Prize in 1970. Scores of other CIMMYT efforts have saved or enriched millions of lives, from releasing disease-resistant varieties and varieties resistant to drought and heat and soil deficiencies, to dispersing techniques to reduce farmer costs and post-harvest losses. In developing countries, wheat varieties developed by CIMMYT and its partners cover 75% of the area planted to modern wheat varieties.

The initial appointment is for three years, with possible renewals based on performance. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (for pre-school, elementary, secondary, and other pre-university grade levels), home leave, retirement fund, and relocation shipping assistance.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Apply online no later than March 15^th, 2012 , but will remain open until filled

At www.cimmyt.org, click on “About us – Job Opportunities- Position” -2012-05. Please complete the online application, including your cover letter, competencies and experience for the position, and a detailed CV/resume.

Dr. Bekele Shiferaw, Director, Socioeconomics Program, b.shiferaw@cgiar.org or the Human Resources Office,

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.