Agricultural Economist in Pakistan

We are seeking a dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, and results-oriented applied agricultural economist to lead and facilitate socially inclusive research for development and associated monitoring and evaluation under the Agricultural Innovation Program in Pakistan.

The selected candidate will work as a member of the CIMMYT Socioeconomics Program in close liaison with the program’s other multi-disciplinary team members from CIMMYT’s other programs (Wheat, Maize, Agronomy) and international partners and in collaboration with Pakistan’s public and private partners. The position focuses on developing and facilitating a socio-economic research for development portfolio based on promising technological innovations, system development (intensification, diversification) and value chain development that is socially inclusive and in line with provincial opportunities and constraints. The position will also help establish and supervise relevant monitoring and evaluation procedures, contribute to outcome monitoring and evaluation and undertake strategic adoption and impact assessment studies of selected interventions.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org.

The position will be based at the CIMMYT-Pakistan office in Islamabad, but will interact with all CIMMYT´s experimental stations and regional offices in South Asia and other regions on a regular basis.

Specific duties and responsibilities of the position will include:

1. Enhance the understanding of farming systems, socioeconomic profiles (including gender) and value chains to understand constraints to, opportunities for and potential trade-offs to pro-poor sustainable intensification and diversification in cereal systems in diverging agro-ecologies.
2. Evaluate options to enhance the development and diffusion of socially inclusive (pro-poor, gender-equitable) technological innovations that reduce poverty and enhance food and livelihood security in cereal systems in diverging agro-ecologies.
3. Monitor adoption of targeted interventions and evaluate gender-disaggregated impacts on food security, income and livelihoods for target areas.
4. Support effective project monitoring and evaluation by developing procedures, practical tools and indicators for tracking progress and attainment of milestones, output targets and outcomes.
5. Contribute to capacity building, publication of research findings and dissemination of results to project partners and stakeholders.
6. Assist AIP and CIMMYT management in any other matters as and when required.

We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:

1. PhD in Agricultural Economics, Resource Economics or related discipline from a highly reputed university.
2. Relevant postdoctoral experience of at least 5 years (Scientist) or 8 years (Senior Scientist), preferably in Asia.
3. Demonstrated contributions to applied agricultural economics through relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
4. Skills in combining applied quantitative agricultural economics with qualitative methods for impact assessment.
5. Good knowledge of statistical and microeconomic analysis and software (e.g. STATA, SPSS, SAS, GAMS, etc).
6. Knowledge and familiarity with project monitoring and evaluation and market and value chain analysis tools and methods
7. Good understanding of the challenges of technology adoption, gender, social and policy issues in agricultural development.
8. An effective innovative and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
9. Excellent oral communication and writing skills in English to express complex concepts in simple terms.

We will offer an initial contract for 3 years, which is renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. Our internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

To apply for this position, please email cover letter and CV no later than Friday, 10 May, 2013 to Human Resources, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: 12292 in the header of your email). For further information on the selection process, please contact Guillermo Flores, Staffing Specialist, at g.flores@cgiar.org .

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.