Senior Economist International Potato Center (CIP) Lima

Ref.: 12- 07 SE/IRS/HQ

Senior Economist

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a senior economist to provide strategic expertise, guidance and lead a team of economists and other social scientists. Fundraising, research strategy setting and team management skills are also desirable.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, 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 has headquarters 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 (CGIAR), a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

The Program: CIP has over 40 years of interdisciplinary research experience, where social and biological scientists jointly generate research outputs and impacts related to on-farm conservation of genetic resources, varietal improvement and adoption, integrated crop management and value chain upgrading. The Global Program on Social and Health Sciences (GP-SHS) plays a key role in ensuring the relevance of CIP research by functioning as a compass for the Center’s overall research program. This involves setting priorities, engaging the right set of partners and stakeholders in regional settings, addressing nutritional needs and opportunities through potato and sweetpotato and documenting adoption processes. The GP-SHS also ensures that the widespread impacts of CIP’s research are systematically analyzed and documented.

The position: The position reports to the Deputy Director General-Research and will be based at CIPs headquarters in Lima, Peru.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide economic analysis and guidance to assist in strategic foresight, priority setting, research implementation and impact assessment
• Member of CIP’s Science Leaders Team, contributing to the strategies and direction of CIP’s overall research program, fund raising and resource commitments and representing the Center in a variety of research, investor and partner forums
• Provide Center leadership and coordination in the CGIAR Research Programs for economics related outputs
• Reach out to agricultural and environmental scientists, as well as potential donors and investors, and build innovative teams that cross these disciplines
• Provide scientific direction and mentor economists and other social scientists
• Some international travel required in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Selection criteria:

• PhD in Economics or Agricultural Economics.
• Be an accomplished and innovative economist with supporting publication track record.
• Possess all key leadership and fundraising competencies
• Capable to develop both vision and strategy and a stretching, yet realistic plan.
• Be willing to conduct research in a multi-cultural environment and in a variety of developing country contexts. A track record would be desirable.
• Demonstrated project management skills, success in managing multi-disciplinary teams and fund raising would be desirable.
• Excellent management and communication skills to collaborate effectively within the organization, and with external stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required and Spanish, French and other languages are an asset.
• Willingness to travel, including in developing countries.

Conditions: Employment contract will be for an initial three-year term with possibility of renewal. Salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP provides additional benefits including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance and retirement benefits. Allowances toward relocation, housing, home leave travel, dependents’ education 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 20 March 2012 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted. CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff. Women and citizens of developing countries are encouraged to apply.

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