Researcher - Business Model Analysis and Development Sri Lanka

The person and the job

If you have a background in business model analysis and development at the interface of the public and private sectors, with significant experience in low-income countries, and preferably in the waste, sanitation or agricultural sector, this could be just the assignment for you.

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) seeks a researcher for its Resource Recovery and Reuse (www.iwmi.org/CRP5/Chapter-6.aspx) program to analyze public and private sector business models from the for-profit and social entrepreneur perspectives. The researchers will analyze existing and emerging business cases and their business models. They will explore options for potential business models for the reuse of organic waste, including excreta, and wastewater from domestic and agro-industrial origins in agriculture or elsewhere in urban and peri-urban low-income settings across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa. The position holder will report to the Theme Leader for IWMI’s research theme on Water Quality, Health and Environment.

You will:

• support the quantitative and qualitative analysis of existing enterprises and projects in the sanitation-agriculture interface to understand the building blocks of their business models, addressing technical, economic, financial, and institutional limitations and opportunities;
• develop scenarios for innovative models to increase their replicability, scalability and impact;
• undertake or coordinate feasibility studies for business model implementation, including the design and supervision of field data collection and analysis;
• work within a multidisciplinary team on the recovery of water, nutrients, organic matter and energy from waste, and jointly collect and analyze data;
• liaise with public and private sector stakeholders on the awareness, study and possible implementation of business models; and
• prepare scientific reports and articles for peer-reviewed journals and represent IWMI, as required, at national and international events.

You must possess:

• at least 10 years of professional experience in the private sector, or as a social entrepreneur and/or in research in the area of expertize;
• a proven record of research project management ability in low-income countries;
• experience in the sanitation, energy, fertilizer or wastewater sectors;
• knowledge of business process modeling tools for scenario building;
• knowledge of economic, financial and institutional challenges and opportunities of micro- to macro-enterprises;
• excellent written and spoken English; other languages would be an additional advantage;
• ability to establish priorities, plan, organize and monitor own work in a multiple-task environment;
• strong interpersonal skills to maintain effective relationships in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams;
• ability to work respectfully with local and international partners; and
• proven ability to write scientific papers.

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a housing allowance, transport, education, shipping assistance, annual home leave, retirement and health insurance package. IWMI’s policy is to appoint staff initially on three-year contracts which are subject to renewal, depending on performance and the Institute’s needs. Applications from low-income countries, in particular, are welcome.

The position will remain open until filled. We will begin reviewing applications on 25 May 2012.

To apply for the post : http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/About_IWMI/Vacancies/

For information about IWMI visit : http://www.iwmi.org