Research Support Officer, Nutrition and Marketing Bioversity International Maccarese, Rome, Italy

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 athttp://www.bioversityinternational.org Bioversity International has developed a programme of work on the use of agricultural biodiversity resources for improved nutrition. Bioversity’s research is designed to explore how biodiversity conservation and use can provide immediate local as well as global benefits to people, especially in developing countries facing a growing burden of malnutrition. Agricultural biodiversity includes crop genetic diversity, neglected or underutilized crops, plants, microorganisms and animals in a range of niches including aquatic environments and forest is an important source of nutrients, food components and dietary diversity. Agricultural biodiversity is crucial to counter trends towards uniform, simplified, and nutritionally poor diets that are unsustainable. Bioversity seeks to fill a post of Research Support Officer in Nutrition and Marketing of Diversity with expertise in human nutrition to assist in the development and growth of a global research programme investigating how agricultural biodiversity and sustainable diets can contribute to improved nutrition and health.


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Job Description : 
Based at Bioversity’s Headquarters in Maccarese, near Rome, Italy, and under the supervision of the Programme Leader, Nutrition and Marketing Diversity, the incumbent will assist in implementing Bioversity’s nutrition strategy and research agenda with partners and stakeholders at the global, national and local levels. More specifically, the incumbent will: • Assist with research and policy that: o provide systematic evidence of the links between agricultural biodiversity, dietary diversity and relevant health outcomes; o document the role of local foods, local food culture and traditional knowledge of plants and foods; o identify strategic options and pathways that mainstream biodiversity into cross-cutting policy and development agendas in agriculture, health, and environment. o support the implementation of a research portfolio including technical, financial and operational aspects in several countries • Collect, analyze and synthesize information on food and nutrition security, agriculture (specifically the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity), sustainable diets, and other development issues, and report on conclusions in the form of reports, policy papers, scientific manuscripts and presentations; • Assist in the maintenance of a network of global groups, regional institutions, country government officials, international and local donors, international and local NGOs, universities and other resource institutions that work with Bioversity in livelihood, agriculture and nutrition programmes; • Contribute to the development of innovative briefing papers, scientific papers and concept notes / proposals for funding of new nutrition programmes; • Perform literature searches and reviews; • Respond to external and internal inquiries for technical nutrition information; • Liaise with external agencies and internal staff on nutrition issues; • Provide information for Bioversity’s website; • Assist in the supervision of support staff in the programme; • Assist in organizing events such as workshops, advisory panels and meetings; • Perform other duties as required.


Minimum Qualification & Experience :
Essential qualifications & competencies • Masters in Nutrition, Agricultural or Development Economics, and/or Econometrics with expertise in the area of development and/or research. • At least 5 years of work experience in a pertinent field, including experience with the design of research studies and with innovative analytical approaches and indicators for the quantitative analysis of data. • Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written, with strong analytical and synthesizing skills; ability to write clear and concise scientific documents. • Proficiency in relevant software packages (Statistical, Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint). Desirable qualifications and competencies • Experience in developing and writing research proposals. • Relevant work experience in an international agricultural research or development organization, within multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments. • Participation in global fora and networks on the future of global and local food systems. • Fluency in Spanish, French and/or Italian.


Skills & abilities : • Strong organizational and priority setting skills to effectively manage multiple projects from start to finish and within deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, communications and teamwork skills; courtesy, tact and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds.
• High degree of judgment and initiative; ability to multi-task and to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas.


Personal Qualities :

Terms & Conditions :
This is a locally recruited professional position and all benefits are denominated and paid in EURO. The salary is level 6, in a scale of eight levels, with level 8 being the highest. The salary range starts from Euro 43,554 per annum. Bioversity’s remuneration package includes a competitive salary, leave provisions and medical insurance. As this is a locally recruited position, relocation costs are not covered. The initial contract will be for a period of three years, renewable, subject to a probationary period of twelve months.


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 (submission will be confirmed by a pop-up message: CV successfully submitted) and attaching the required information.

The closing date for the vacancy is 22 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.