Food Security Economist

Title: Food Security Economist

Thematic Area : Livelihood Theme

Apply Now

Background

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Our aim is to influence policy and practices to meet environmental and livelihood challenges emerging in the HKH region. To do this we bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from the region and around the globe to generate and share knowledge, support evidence-based decision making, and encourage regional collaboration. ICIMOD delivers impact through its six Regional Programmes of Adaptation to Change, Transboundary Landscapes, River Basins, Cryosphere and Atmosphere, Mountain Environment Regional Information System, and Himalayan University Consortium (emerging). These regional programmes are supported by the four Thematic Areas of Livelihoods, Ecosystem Services, Water and Air, and Geospatial Solutions and underpinned by Knowledge Management and Communication. ICIMOD seeks to improve the lives and livelihoods of mountain women and men, now and for the future. 

The Livelihood Thematic Area focuses on promoting diversified and sustainable livelihood options in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. It seeks to enhance understanding of the human-environment interface, rural-urban linkages, driving forces of change, and their underlying causes. The Livelihood Thematic Area also provides expertise on strategic institutional functions such as governance, gender, poverty, and inclusive development to promote ICIMOD’s goals. Food and nutritional security is an intergral part of livelihood security. 

Food security in the HKH region is a major concern in the context of climate change due to a large proportion of people depending on climate-sensitive livelihoods such as agriculture, forestry, and other farming sectors. The nature and causes of food security in the HKH region are more complex and severe due to the fragile environment and limited availability of suitable land for large-scale commercial production of food grains, difficult access and poor infrastructure, and high vulnerability to climate change. ICIMOD is looking for an Economist who has good understanding of micro and macro issues of food security in the HKH region and is capable of identifying and facilitating appropriate actions to enhance food and livelihood security.

Responsibilities and tasks

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Livelihood Theme Leader, the Food Security Economist will be responsible for the following tasks: 

• Develop suitable analytical tools to analyse poverty, food security, and livelihood vulnerability at the household and community level in the context of the HKH region
• Assess vulnerability conditions concerning food security and nutrition resulting from climatic and non-climatic factors, including food access, price, transportation, gender, and equity, and explore options for addressing poverty, food insecurity, and livelihood vulnerabilities
• Analyse national and regional policies, programmes and strategies targeted towards food security; draw appropriate lessons; suggest actionable recommendations; engage policy dialogue to translate policy into actions to enhance food and livelihood security in the HKH region 
• Explore feasible options to adapt with climate change and enhance community resilience in food security through innovative options, strategies, and technologies such as early warning information, weather-index insurance, value chain development, improved market access, and financial services for facilitating adaptation
• Initiate research on food and livelihood issues and ensure high-quality research and publications
• Organize, conduct, and contribute to internal and external trainings, workshops, and seminars on food and livelihood issues to strengthen the capacity of partners
• Work as a member of the Livelihood team and provide input and support to ICIMOD’s Thematic Areas and Regional Programmes and Initiatives on the topic of food and livelihood security

Minimum Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree, preferably PhD, in economics, agricultural economics, development economics, or any other related field
• At least 5 years of experience in food, nutritional, and livelihood security in the HKH context with sound skills in analysing policies and programmes, drawing policy lessons and recommendations, and the ability to link policy with action
• Strong ability to perform policy analysis related to food security in the HKH context including future food security scenario development in relation to existing trends and potential changes in climate, water availability, and socioeconomic conditions
• Capacity to collect primary and secondary data and analyse them in a coherent manner to develop logical arguements for enhancing food security in mountain communities

Competencies

• Knowledge: Sound knowledge and understanding of food and nutritional security issues in the context of mountains and emerging trends and issues including climate change at different levels: household, community, national and regional; ability to conceptualize different dimensions of food security and operationalize them in the changing socioeconomic context of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. 
• Research skills: State of the art knowledge on research methodology for food security issues; experience in managing/coordinating research projects; capable of conducting in-depth quantitative analysis.
• Management and coordination: Ability to plan, budget, and coordinate work as well as work in an interdisciplinary team across different programmes and projects. 
• Social/team competency: Ability to work smoothly across teams with intercultural sensitivity and contribute to establishing commitment among team members.
• Networking/stakeholder management: Ability to identify relevant partners, maintain existing relations, and build new linkages and effectively facilitate stakeholder processes on food security issues.
• Results/impact orientation: Proactive approach within and outside the organization to generate concrete results on an output level; seek opportunities to transform output to outcome and impact.
• Flexibility/innovation: Stay abreast with changing approaches and find ways to introduce innovative approaches; encourage others to come with new ideas; actively support the development of a continuous learning culture.
• Report and proposal writing: Excellent analytical and writing skills and demonstrated ability to write reports and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Duty Station

The duty station is Kathmandu; frequent travelling in the HKH region may be required.

Duration

3 years of which the first six months are probation, with a possibility of extension subject to ICIMOD’s future funding levels.

Starting Date

As early as possible

Remuneration

Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are highly competitive compared to other regional organisations; remuneration is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Gender and Equity Policy

Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. ICIMOD implements a gender fair policy and is supportive of working women. It operates a Day-Care Centre at the campus and is committed to gender mainstreaming at the organisational and programmatic levels.

Method of application

Applicants are requested to apply online before 28 June 2013 through ICIMOD's Online Application System.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.