Post Doctoral Fellow, Advancing through Sustainable Diets Bioversity International Montpellier, France
Bioversity International
Closing date : 21 October 2012.
Applications will continue to be received and considered until the position is filled.
Bioversity International (“Bioversity” for short) is the world’s largest organization undertaking research on agricultural biodiversity, dedicated to addressing global issues related to food security, poverty, climate change and environmental degradation. We are a non profit organization, active in over 100 countries worldwide, with more than 350 staff working from some 16 country offices. We are one of 15 centres of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR). This is an exciting time to join Bioversity International. We have recently developed new and ambitious goals, clear objectives and performance indicators for the next ten years. Two strategic priorities have been set - to improve the use of biodiversity by smallholder farmers and the conservation of plant diversity.
For further information on Bioversity International, consult the Web page at http://www.bioversityinternational.org
Purpose of Role
Modern agriculture, poverty, population pressures and urbanization have changed food production and consumption in ways that profoundly affect human diets, leading to an overall concentration of food sources. Just 3 crops (maize, rice and wheat) supply 60% of the dietary energy needs worldwide. In addition, the alarming pace of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and the negative impact of this on farming systems, livelihoods and health make a compelling case for re-examining food systems.
There is an urgent need to develop and promote innovative strategies for sustainable and resilient food systems, emphasizing the positive role of biodiversity in human nutrition: it is crucial to rethink how food is produced, stored, processed, distributed, marketed and consumed.
Bioversity International is embarking in a new, innovative, global effort aimed at quantifying and determining the metrics associated to the measurement of the sustainability of different diets, with a particular emphasis on the Mediterranean basin and the diets in France and Italy. Based in Montpellier, the incumbent will contribute to research in order to:
Provide intellectual and technical support in the identification of methods, tools and indicators aimed at determining the sustainability of a given food system or diet.
Support the develop a research strategy aimed at the identification of methods, tools and indicators aimed at determining the sustainability of a given food system or diet.
Network and liaise with global research and policy organizations in order to develop a possible consensus on efforts that can be carried out in order to contribute to this global initiative.
Carry out a SWOT analysis of current scientific and policy knowledge base relative to this global initiative.
Provide support to the development of knowledge management products.
Key responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Leader for the Nutrition and Marketing of Diversity Programme at Bioversity International, the incumbent will work with partners, stakeholders at the global, national and local levels in implementing Bioversity’s strategy and research agenda in leveraging the use of agrobiodiversity for sustainable intensification of production systems and more stable and resilient livelihoods.
More specifically, he / she will have the following specific responsibilities:
• Assess economic and social drivers associated to the food systems and value chains of food crops and species which are characteristic of different diets;
• Assess agro-ecological dimensions associated to the food systems and value chains of food crops and species which are characteristic of different diets;
• Assess nutritional properties associated to the food systems and value chains of food crops and species which are characteristic of different diets;
• Collect, sort and analyze current work being carried out on defining the sustainability of diets, value chains and specific food crops.
• Interlocute and collaborate with global authorities in the field in order to develop a potential consensus on required actions.
• Develop and test and composite index used to measure the sustainability of a given diet. The agro-ecological, socio-economic and nutrition dimensions of this index will need to be of particular interest.
• Produce scientific publications and other impact-oriented products from high quality research;
• Collaborate with other scientists, both within Bioversity and other CGIAR Centres and research organizations, including relevant CGIAR Research Programmes (CRPs) and partnership platforms;
• Contribute to capacity building for sustainability assessment through collaborative research with national partners;
• Contribute to the Nutrition Programme at Bioversity and within relevant CRPs in developing and updating concepts and methods for comprehensive sustainability assessment of specific diets and food systems;
• Contribute to the timely development of concepts, proposals, communications and reports for a range of donors, working with the Resource Mobilization Team; take part in meetings and other events with donors and potential donors.
Qualifications and competencies
Essential qualifications & competencies
• Ph.D. in agricultural or development economics, nutrition, and/or econometrics with demonstrated knowledge in the area of developing indicators, information systems and sustainability.
• Sound quantitative background and experience in design of research studies.
• Understanding of innovative analytical approaches and indicators for analyzing data.
• Experience in developing and writing research proposals.
• Research experience in sustainability assessment, particularly in developing middle and low income countries, preferably carried out in an international context.
• Experience with implementation of research projects.
• A commitment to working within multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments.
• Well developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to motivate, catalyze and promote engagement through negotiation and consensus-building.
• Drive and entrepreneurship to pursue and develop new research opportunities.
• Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written.
Desirable qualifications and competencies
• Experience with capacity building through collaborative research with national partners and.
• Experience in implementing research supporting sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity including ecosystem health, ecology, plant sciences, or related economic aspects.
• Participation in global fora and networks on the future of global and local food systems
• Experience in developing and writing research proposals.
• Fluency in French and/or Italian.
Terms and conditions:
This is a Post Doctoral Fellowship for a period of two years. Bioversity offers an attractive stipend and contributions to the costs of living, inclusion in Bioversity insurance schemes, contribution to retirement fund, and leave provisions. Additional benefits apply for Post Doctoral Fellows recruited from outside of France.
How to apply:
Applications: Please apply online through Bioversity Job Opportunities web page
(http://www.bioversityinternational.org/about_us/job_opportunities.html)
by clicking the “Apply” button, completing the online application and attaching the required information. The closing date for the vacancy is 21 October 2012, but we will continue accepting applications until the position is filled, which can be monitored in the “Job Opportunities” section of our web site. Please note that in the application you are required to provide the contact details (address, telephone number and e-mail address) of at least three referees, which Bioversity will contact for short listed applicants.
Bioversity is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity.
Women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged to apply.
Closing date : 21 October 2012.
Applications will continue to be received and considered until the position is filled.
Bioversity International (“Bioversity” for short) is the world’s largest organization undertaking research on agricultural biodiversity, dedicated to addressing global issues related to food security, poverty, climate change and environmental degradation. We are a non profit organization, active in over 100 countries worldwide, with more than 350 staff working from some 16 country offices. We are one of 15 centres of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR). This is an exciting time to join Bioversity International. We have recently developed new and ambitious goals, clear objectives and performance indicators for the next ten years. Two strategic priorities have been set - to improve the use of biodiversity by smallholder farmers and the conservation of plant diversity.
For further information on Bioversity International, consult the Web page at http://www.bioversityinternational.org
Purpose of Role
Modern agriculture, poverty, population pressures and urbanization have changed food production and consumption in ways that profoundly affect human diets, leading to an overall concentration of food sources. Just 3 crops (maize, rice and wheat) supply 60% of the dietary energy needs worldwide. In addition, the alarming pace of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and the negative impact of this on farming systems, livelihoods and health make a compelling case for re-examining food systems.
There is an urgent need to develop and promote innovative strategies for sustainable and resilient food systems, emphasizing the positive role of biodiversity in human nutrition: it is crucial to rethink how food is produced, stored, processed, distributed, marketed and consumed.
Bioversity International is embarking in a new, innovative, global effort aimed at quantifying and determining the metrics associated to the measurement of the sustainability of different diets, with a particular emphasis on the Mediterranean basin and the diets in France and Italy. Based in Montpellier, the incumbent will contribute to research in order to:
Provide intellectual and technical support in the identification of methods, tools and indicators aimed at determining the sustainability of a given food system or diet.
Support the develop a research strategy aimed at the identification of methods, tools and indicators aimed at determining the sustainability of a given food system or diet.
Network and liaise with global research and policy organizations in order to develop a possible consensus on efforts that can be carried out in order to contribute to this global initiative.
Carry out a SWOT analysis of current scientific and policy knowledge base relative to this global initiative.
Provide support to the development of knowledge management products.
Key responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Leader for the Nutrition and Marketing of Diversity Programme at Bioversity International, the incumbent will work with partners, stakeholders at the global, national and local levels in implementing Bioversity’s strategy and research agenda in leveraging the use of agrobiodiversity for sustainable intensification of production systems and more stable and resilient livelihoods.
More specifically, he / she will have the following specific responsibilities:
• Assess economic and social drivers associated to the food systems and value chains of food crops and species which are characteristic of different diets;
• Assess agro-ecological dimensions associated to the food systems and value chains of food crops and species which are characteristic of different diets;
• Assess nutritional properties associated to the food systems and value chains of food crops and species which are characteristic of different diets;
• Collect, sort and analyze current work being carried out on defining the sustainability of diets, value chains and specific food crops.
• Interlocute and collaborate with global authorities in the field in order to develop a potential consensus on required actions.
• Develop and test and composite index used to measure the sustainability of a given diet. The agro-ecological, socio-economic and nutrition dimensions of this index will need to be of particular interest.
• Produce scientific publications and other impact-oriented products from high quality research;
• Collaborate with other scientists, both within Bioversity and other CGIAR Centres and research organizations, including relevant CGIAR Research Programmes (CRPs) and partnership platforms;
• Contribute to capacity building for sustainability assessment through collaborative research with national partners;
• Contribute to the Nutrition Programme at Bioversity and within relevant CRPs in developing and updating concepts and methods for comprehensive sustainability assessment of specific diets and food systems;
• Contribute to the timely development of concepts, proposals, communications and reports for a range of donors, working with the Resource Mobilization Team; take part in meetings and other events with donors and potential donors.
Qualifications and competencies
Essential qualifications & competencies
• Ph.D. in agricultural or development economics, nutrition, and/or econometrics with demonstrated knowledge in the area of developing indicators, information systems and sustainability.
• Sound quantitative background and experience in design of research studies.
• Understanding of innovative analytical approaches and indicators for analyzing data.
• Experience in developing and writing research proposals.
• Research experience in sustainability assessment, particularly in developing middle and low income countries, preferably carried out in an international context.
• Experience with implementation of research projects.
• A commitment to working within multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments.
• Well developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to motivate, catalyze and promote engagement through negotiation and consensus-building.
• Drive and entrepreneurship to pursue and develop new research opportunities.
• Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written.
Desirable qualifications and competencies
• Experience with capacity building through collaborative research with national partners and.
• Experience in implementing research supporting sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity including ecosystem health, ecology, plant sciences, or related economic aspects.
• Participation in global fora and networks on the future of global and local food systems
• Experience in developing and writing research proposals.
• Fluency in French and/or Italian.
Terms and conditions:
This is a Post Doctoral Fellowship for a period of two years. Bioversity offers an attractive stipend and contributions to the costs of living, inclusion in Bioversity insurance schemes, contribution to retirement fund, and leave provisions. Additional benefits apply for Post Doctoral Fellows recruited from outside of France.
How to apply:
Applications: Please apply online through Bioversity Job Opportunities web page
(http://www.bioversityinternational.org/about_us/job_opportunities.html)
by clicking the “Apply” button, completing the online application and attaching the required information. The closing date for the vacancy is 21 October 2012, but we will continue accepting applications until the position is filled, which can be monitored in the “Job Opportunities” section of our web site. Please note that in the application you are required to provide the contact details (address, telephone number and e-mail address) of at least three referees, which Bioversity will contact for short listed applicants.
Bioversity is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity.
Women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged to apply.
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