Environment for Development

As a member of the CIMMYT Socio-Economics Program, and in close collaboration with biophysical scientists and national- and international partners including other centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and research universities you will undertake research on gender issues in relation to wheat- and maize based farming systems and contribute to strengthening the institutional capacity for incorporating social equity in maize and wheat research for development. The position will be based in any of the CIMMYT regional offices in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.

Primary research areas include:

- Analysis of the drivers of change and options for agricultural productivity growth, food security and sustainable intensification in cereal based systems.

- Improving the understanding of farmers’ economic incentives and adoption constraints under different agro-ecological and socioeconomic settings.

Improving the understanding of intra-household decision making processes and their impacts on the gender-specific welfare of individuals in farming households.

- Analysis of gender-differentiated technology adoption pathways and their impacts on poverty and food security for targeting technology and policy interventions.

- Developing institutional innovations for enhancing gender-equitable access to and use of promising technologies, inputs and output markets for income growth and food security.

- Policy options for supporting the development and diffusion of climate smart and sustainable agriculture for enhancing adaptation and reducing vulnerability to climate change in maize and wheat systems.

The job will require that you:

- Work with a team of social and biophysical scientists to evaluate the suitability, profitability and adoptability of agricultural innovations.

- Enhance the understanding on how gender relations and roles affect technology choices, tradeoffs and farmers’ investments in sustainable intensification practices.

- Identify adoption pathways, gender related barriers and evaluate differentiated impacts of agricultural innovations on food security, income and livelihoods for target groups.

- Evaluate and quantify gender gaps in assets, market access and ability to participate in profitable value chains to increase incomes and diversification of livelihood opportunities for men and women farmers.

- Contribute to strengthening gender awareness within CIMMYT and among its partners and develop practical tools and evidence to motivate and empower scientists to actively mainstream gender into research.

- Develop policy recommendations and decision tools for targeting the poor and enhancing technology diffusion and adoption.

- Publish research findings in quality peer-reviewed journals and contribute in the dissemination of results to stakeholders.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

- PhD in Economics, Sociology, Rural Sociology, Public Policy, Gender Studies, or related fields from a highly recognized university

- Relevant postdoctoral experience of at least 2 years (associate scientist), 5 years (scientist) – new PhDs with substantial research experience will also be Considered for a post-doctoral position.

- Experience in undertaking gender analysis, preferably in the context of agricultural development or natural resource management

- Demonstrated strong quantitative analytical skills and experience using qualitative methods for gender and development research

- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams as well as to develop strong and effective working relationships with partners

- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including strategic thinking and ability to present coherent and convincing analyses to different audiences

- Strong publication record in relevant areas at the associate scientist or scientist level or demonstrated high potential to publish at the postdoctoral fellow level

- Ability to travel and undertake fieldwork in rural contexts

- Relevant work experience in developing countries, preferably from Asia and/or Africa

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. The center works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems and thus ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center's outputs and services include improved maize and wheat varieties and cropping systems, the conservation of maize and wheat genetic resources, and capacity building. CIMMYT belongs to and is funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) and also receives support from national governments, foundations, development banks, and other public and private agencies.

CIMMYT has had enormous impact in the developing world. It is the center of excellence for work on two of the three most important food crops in the developing world. Its most famous employee, Dr. Norman Borlaug, is credited by many with saving more lives than any other individual in the history of the world. Borlaug’s work dramatically increased yields of wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the 1960s and 1970s, staving off starvation for hundreds of millions. For this work, Borlaug received the Nobel Prize in 1970. Scores of other CIMMYT efforts have saved or enriched millions of lives, from releasing disease-resistant varieties and varieties resistant to drought and heat and soil deficiencies, to dispersing techniques to reduce farmer costs and post-harvest losses. In developing countries, wheat varieties developed by CIMMYT and its partners cover 75% of the area planted to modern wheat varieties.

The initial appointment is for three years, with possible renewals based on performance. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (for pre-school, elementary, secondary, and other pre-university grade levels), home leave, retirement fund, and relocation shipping assistance.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
Apply online no later than May 20th, 2012, but will remain open until filled.
At www.cimmyt.org, click on “About us – Job Opportunities- Position” 2012-21. Please complete the online application, including your cover letter, competencies and experience for the position, and a detailed CV/resume.

For further information, contact Dr. Bekele Shiferaw, Director, Socioeconomics Program, b.shiferaw@cgiar.org or the Human Resources Office, jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.