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Policy Economist: Scientist or Senior Scientist

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seeks a Policy Economist to join our international team of scientists working on improving the livelihoods of maize and wheat farmers in the developing world. The Policy Economist will work under a regional effort to enhance food security and incomes for the poor by improving postharvest management of food grains. Reducing postharvest losses plays a vital role in achieving food security and increasing incomes because it helps farmers to maintain healthy and nutritious grains throughout the year and to sell their surplus when prices are attractive. The Policy Economist will lead the regional effort to review and identify the policy constraints and formulation and promotion of harmonized policies conducive for effective post-harvest management of food grains. Rooted in a strong culture of high-quality agricultural economics and policy research, the CIMMYT Socioeconomics Program has a team of qualified and motivated scientists operating in different regions and working closely with biophysical scientists. The position will report to the Director of the Program and will be based in one of the regional offices in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Primary research objectives include:

  • Understanding the policy, market and institutional constraints for improving postharvest management and cutting damages and losses from pests.
  • Mapping of existing national postharvest mechanisms to identify gaps and policy impediments that undermine private and public investments
  • Policy dialogue and sharing of best practices and systems for improved postharvest management, especially in the SADC region
  • Regional consensus on practices, institutional arrangements and harmonized policies to reduce postharvest losses.

The job will require that you:

  • Review postharvest national policies, markets and the institutional arrangements that affect postharvest mangement and
  • Identify gaps and missing incentive structures that affect public and priovate investments in postharvest mangement of food grains.
  • Assess local post-harvest storage practices, identify actors in posthavest chain and determine gaps.
  • Facilitate the revision of import and pricing policies for storage technologies such as metal sheets used for local production of metal silos.
  • Conduct regional and national workshops for facilitating regional and national policy dialogues.
  • Facilitate networking amongst stakeholders related to postharvest research, processes/practices for promoting community of practices.
  • Generate evidence and support the harmonization of regulations and policies for promotion of effective postharvest management in the SADC region.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

  • PhD in Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, Public Policy or related discipline from a highly recognized university.
  • Relevant postdoctoral experience of at least 5 years (scientist) or 8 years (senior scientist).
  • Relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals in policy and development research.
  • Good understanding of policy issues and the challenges for improved postharvest management in developing regions.
  • Experience in policy analysis combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to produce relevant evidence.
  • Tactful negotiation, communication and presentational skills to build consensus and translate research results into practical policy action.
  • An effective and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
  • Experience and willingness to meaningfully engage policy makers, civil society and public and private sector agencies in the target countries.

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 June 15th, 2012, but will remain open until filled.

At www.cimmyt.org, click on “About us – Job Opportunities- Position” 2012-24. Please complete the online application, including your cover letter, competencies and experience for the position, and a detailed CV/resume.

For further information, contact Dr. Bekele Shiferaw, Director, Socioeconomics Program, b.shiferaw@cgiar.org"> b.shiferaw@cgiar.org or the Human Resources Office, jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org"> jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.