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CIP Lead Economist

Ref.: 12- 44 LE/IRS/HQ

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an accomplished, senior level economist with a background in agriculture or environment, to provide guidance and visioning that strategically position root and tuber crops within a changing global economic and environmental context. The successful candidate will pursue a cutting edge research agenda within the Global Program -Social and Health Sciences and with colleagues in other disciplines, with particular attention given to the contribution of environmental economics. The senior economist will also be available to advise senior management on the economic dimensions of CIP’s program. CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff. Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to apply.

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 (CGIAR), a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

Global Program - Social and Health Sciences (GP-SHS): The organization 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 social science and health team 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 team also ensures that the widespread impacts of CIP’s research are systematically documented.

The position: This position offers exciting opportunities for the right candidate. Based at CIPs headquarters in Lima, Peru, and reporting to the Head of GP-SHS, the successful candidate will be a thought leader in the way economic and environmental trends impact on agriculture and in particular on the root and tuber sector and how this sector can sustainably generate large-scale economic benefits for poor households and national economies in the Global South. The CGIAR is engaged in wide-ranging changes in the philosophy and organization of research to better address major global issues such as food and nutrition insecurity, poverty and climate change. The successful candidate will be a key contributor to the visioning and strategy that will make CIP a leader in this change process through advice, economic research outputs and the capacity to access policy leaders and analysts in different international arenas.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Pursue an innovative research agenda in the economic dimensions of agricultural and natural resources research for development
  • Provide economic analysis and guidance to senior management that will assist in strategic foresight, scenario building and priority setting
  • Build and participate in an international network of key policy actors that will contribute to better positioning and targeting of CIP’s own research agenda
  • Mentor economists working in CIP’s regional programs
  • Some international travel in Latin America, Africa and Asia is required to fulfill the above duties.

Selection criteria:

  • PhD in Economics, Environmental Economics or Agricultural Economics.
  • Be an accomplished and innovative researcher with at least ten years of economics research experience. Research experience in environmental and resource economics will be an advantage
  • Strong publication record.
  • Good track record in conducting research in a multi-cultural environment and in a variety of developing country contexts.
  • Experience of working in policy analysis and support an advantage
  • Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively.
  • Demonstrated experience in attracting substantial research funding.
  • Fluency in English is required and Spanish, French and other languages are an asset.

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 8 June 2012 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.