Environment for Development

As a member of the CIMMYT Socioeconomics Program and in collaboration with national and international partners, you will undertake socioeconomics research on strategies for sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems in Eastern and Southern Africa. You will lead the targeting of innovations and collection and analysis of socioeconomic and value chain data to study options for technology adoption, sustainable productivity and income growth in maize based crop-livestock systems. The position will be based at the CIMMYT regional office for Southern Africa (Harare, Zimbabwe).

The job will require that you:
·   Work with a team of scientists to understand constraints to and opportunities for sustainable intensification and productivity growth of maize-legume-livestock systems.
·   Analyze markets and value chains to develop institutional innovations that improve market access and incomes for farmers.
·   Define potential tradeoffs and identify more efficient, low risk, and sustainable production systems.
·   Indentify adoption pathways and evaluate impacts on food security, income and livelihoods for target groups.
·   Develop policy recommendations for enhancing system resilience and improving livelihoods in mixed systems.
·   Publish research findings and contribute to dissemination of results to stakeholders.
·   Contribute to the capacity building of farmers and partners.
·   Develop concept notes and proposals in strategic research areas.
·   Participate in center-wide and program strategy development and priority setting.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
• PhD in Agricultural Economics or related discipline from a highly recognized university.
• Relevant postdoctoral experience of at least 2 years (Associate scientist) or 5 years (scientist).
• Relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals in agricultural economics.
• Experience in combining applied quantitative methods with qualitative approaches to study complex farming systems.
• Extensive knowledge of econometric methods and software (e.g. STATA, GAMS, etc) for analysis of survey data. Knowledge of spatial analysis tools (e.g. GIS) will be an addition.
• Good understanding of the challenges of technology adoption and agricultural transformation in developing countries.
• An effective and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills in English to express complex concepts in simple terms.

CIMMYT (www.cimmyt.org) is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR, www.cgiar.org) and has an annual budget of about US$ 90 million. CIMMYT’s mission is to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems to ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center is a global leader in maize and wheat breeding, biotechnology, socioeconomics, and natural resource management research. CIMMYT employs about 700 permanent staff and operates through decentralized partnership, with staff in 14 countries and projects and networks in many more.

The position is for an initial fixed-term of three years, renewable based on performance and availability of funds. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave, retirement fund, and relocation shipping assistance.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Contact:
  Human Resources Manager/CIMMYT
References: 2011/20
E-mail: jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org
http://www.cimmyt.org/en/about-us/job-opportunities
Application Deadline: September 30th, 2011