ILRI vacancy: Livestock Value Chain Specialist, Pakistan

Vacancy Number: VCS/ASSP/PAK/01/2013
Animal Science for Sustainability Productivity
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal

Competitive International Salary and Benefits Package
Salary negotiable dependent on skills and experience

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. www.ilri.org.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

The Pakistan Agriculture Innovation Program is a $30M, four-year USAID supported agriculture research for development program designed to help Pakistan promote economic growth by transforming and strengthening its agricultural innovation systems. The program will be managed by a consortium of CGIAR Centres with other international and national partners and will be hosted by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. The livestock component of the program will be led by ILRI and aims to:

• Improve the efficiency of dairy and small ruminant value chains through more effective institutions, responsive technical services, and dynamic innovation systems.
• Increase the efficiency of feed resource use, raise animal productivity and improve the targeting of high-value markets.
• Enhance the productivity of livestock feed production from range-lands, fodder crops, and food-feed crops.

The Position:

ILRI seeks to recruit a Value Chain Scientist to undertake research for development to improve value chain performance in the dairy and small ruminant sectors in Pakistan.

Responsibilities:

• Design and conduct research on the development of dairy and small ruminant value chains;
• Identify key technical, institutional and policy interventions to improve value chain performance;
• Lead field activities geared towards improving value chain performance, working closely with national research and development partners at local and national level;
• Apply existing and new conceptual value chain analysis frameworks to identify pro-poor opportunities for improving the associated value chains;
• Collaborate with ILRI scientists from different technical and socio-economic disciplines and with a range of international and national research and development partners;
• Establish and strengthen partnerships with relevant administrative, academic and development institutions in Pakistan;
• Work closely with the program Chief of Party and other program staff to ensure that synergies are captured and all project management and monitoring requirements are met;
• Assess and publish research results  and prepare project reports, policy briefs and other communication products;
• Contribute to capacity building activities;
• Depending on skills and experience the post holder may also act as the coordinator of the livestock component of the program;
• Contribute to the development of new research proposals and mobilize funding for further research.

Essential Skills and Qualifications will include:

• A PhD  agricultural economics, agri-business, development studies;
• 5-10 years post doctoral experience;
• A proven track record in livestock value chain research, including quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis;
• Experience of field research in a developing country setting, including survey design and implementation;
• A sound understanding of livestock research for development;
• Understanding of innovation systems approaches and gender analysis would be an advantage
• Proven ability in project management;
• An ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams and a proven record of collaboration;
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to communicate to diverse audiences;
• Experience in Pakistan or other parts of South Asia would be an advantage;
• Track record of publishing in high quality peer-reviewed articles.

Post location: This position will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Extensive travel to other provinces in Pakistan and occasional travel to ILRI offices in other countries will be required.

Position level: Scientist Level 2 or 3 depending on skills and experience.

Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.

Terms of appointment: ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package which includes: 15% Pension, Medical insurance for staff and dependents, Life insurance, Education allowance for dependent children, Housing allowance, Relocation Allowance, Annual Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days+public holidays.

*Benefits and salary are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.

Applications:

Applicants should send a cover letter indicating their salary expectations for this position together with a CV which includes a full list of publications and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Email your application to the Human Resources Office: ilri-VCSASSPPAK@cgiar.org on or before 11 May 2013. The position title and reference number: VCS/ASSP/PAK/01/2013 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

To find out more about ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.