Impact Assessment Specialist The International Potato Center

International Potato Center
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

       Ref:  12-94 IAS/IRS/SSA

Impact Assessment Specialist

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an economist/agricultural economist with excellent analytic and personal skills and with experience in technology adoption studies, economic analysis of production systems, impact assessment and policy-related economic research.

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 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 CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.

The Position: it will be based in Kampala, Uganda or Nairobi, Kenya. Linked to both the Social and Health Sciences Global Program and the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Programs, the scientist will be engaged in four major tasks:  first, the design, analysis and write-up of baseline, endline and impact assessment studies for major sweetpotato and potato projects in collaboration with other CIP scientists;  second, participation in major regional and strategic country level planning and policy-related economic research efforts concerning agriculture and nutrition to ensure that the potential of sweetpotato and potato is fully captured by policy makers in the planning process and integrated into national agricultural survey efforts; third, engagement in ex-ante studies and project designs to ensure that socio-economic aspects are fully captured, and fourth, the development of improved methods for impact targeting, needs/opportunities assessment and impact evaluation; including identifying impact indicators and methodologies for measuring and monitoring these indicators.   The scientist should be committed to using research for development in a complex cooperative environment of research and development partners, and will be required to travel extensively within sub-Saharan Africa, with occasional travel to other regions of the world.

The successful candidate will have:

·         PhD in Agricultural Economics or Economics or relevant applied economics discipline;

·         At least two years’ research experience in the design and implementation of baseline surveys, sampling design, adoption studies, impact evaluation, economic analysis of production systems and/or policy related economic research;

·         Proven skills in applying econometric and quantitative approaches;

·         Exposure to participatory approaches and qualitative data collection and analysis desirable

·         Demonstrated success in working within inter-disciplinary teams and partnerships for research implementation;

·         Experience as a team member in collaborative, multi-disciplinary proposal writing

·         A good publication record consistent with years of post-doctoral experience;

·         Experience with household surveys and value chain analysis;

·         Prior working experience in Africa;

·         Excellent social skills and a collaborative style;

·         Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes;

·         Willingness to travel extensively within the region;

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Good working knowledge of Portuguese or French is preferred. Evidence of interest and ability to learn a foreign language is requisite.

Conditions: The employment contract will be for a three-year term with the possibility of renewal. The salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP offers a range of benefits for this position,  in addition to exoneration from local income tax.

Applications:  Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to  cip-recruitment@cgiar.org, copied to Gordon Prain (g.prain@cgiar.org) and Elmar Schulte-Geldermann (e.Schulte-Geldermann@cgiar.org). The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on 17 October 2012 and will continue until the post is filled.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.

Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to apply.

To learn more about CIP please visit http://www.cipotato.org/cip/jobs.asp