Researcher The International Food Policy Research Institute

IFPRI VACANCY POSTING

POSITION # 11-183 (N)
(INTERNATIONALLY RECRUITED POSITION)

TITLE: RESEARCH FELLOW

LOCATION: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

DIVISION: DEVELOPMENT STATEGY AND GOVERNANCE (DSG)
GRADE: 16B/17B

US FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: PAUL DOROSH, DIVISION DIRECTOR, DSG

POSTING DATE: AUGUST 17, 2011

CLOSING DATE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 or until filled

Job Summary:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Research Fellow and IFPRI – Agricultural Transformation (ATA) Program Coordinator for a two year, fixed-term, renewable appointment. The position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and reports to the Director of the Development Strategy and Governance Division. Grade level will be determined by demonstrated expertise and experience.

IFPRI is providing technical support to Ethiopia’s Agricultural Transformation Agency, a newly established government agency charged with promoting agricultural transformation by supporting existing structures of government, private-sector and other non-governmental partners to address systemic bottlenecks and deliver on a priority national agenda to achieve growth and food security. IFPRI’s support includes technical research, capacity building and policy communications activities. Key research and capacity strengthening activities will be carried out with a broad array of agricultural sector stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture, concerned regional government departments, key Ethiopian research institutes and universities, and selected private sector and nongovernmental organizations.
Essential Duties:
The Fellow will be responsible for a) conducting research, policy advice, capacity strengthening and policy communications in Ethiopia and b) coordinating research, capacity strengthening and policy communications activities between IFPRI and the Agricultural Transformation Agency. It is anticipated that the Fellow will allocate about 50% time to program management and 50% of time to research and capacity-building activities. The Fellow will be responsible for the timely completion of research projects, actively publishing papers/books, and participating in various conferences, policy advisory forums, and capacity strengthening training programs. The leadership role includes the following responsibilities:
• Program management: The Fellow works with the IFPRI-ATA Project Manager to oversee management of IFPRI-ATA research, capacity strengthening and communications activities in Ethiopia. S/he will oversee IFPRI-ATA office staff, manage program resources, oversee the updating of annual work programs, report against annual performance targets, and maintain regular communication with IFPRI-Washington. In addition, s/he will recruit national collaborators and help to manage and monitor national collaborator and IFPRI researcher activities.
• Research/Capacity Building. Based on identified program of work, the Fellow leads or participates in specific empirical research, supports targeted training programs, and oversees Washington-based and in-country staff on specific research and training activities that fall within the country program.
• Policy Communication and Liaison: The Fellow maintains active policy communication with national counterparts through a face-to-face meetings, regular research seminar series, policy briefs and working paper series; establishing active links with various national research institutions, universities, and government agencies; reports program outputs and results; and liaises with donors on a regular basis.
• Fundraising/Resource Mobilization: Through an active in-country presence, the Fellow identifies additional research funding opportunities, responds to in-country needs, channels donor resources to available skills and expertise in IFPRI, and liaises between non-country program IFPRI activities and local donors, if needed (and requested).

Required Qualifications:

• Ph D in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, Public Finance or closely related field.
• Five or more years of post-Ph D research and outreach experience in economic and/or agricultural policy issues, with internationally recognized publications.
• Experience in policymaking or advisory position, and strong team-building and networking skills.
• Knowledge and experience working in Africa, preferably Ethiopia.
• Ability to work across disciplines and cultures
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Written and spoken Amharic is desirable.

IFPRI is one of the international agricultural research institutes organized under the umbrella of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The mandate of IFPRI is to identify and analyze alternative national and international strategies and policies for meeting world food needs in ways that conserve the natural resource base, with emphasis on low income and on the poorer groups in the countries.

IFPRI offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. IFPRI is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence. We encourage women and developing country professionals to apply.

TO APPLY:

IFPRI Employees: Please send cover letter & resume – via email – to Alma López.
External Candidates: Go to www.ifpri.org . Click on “Careers” and “Research” to link you to Position #11-183 – Research Fellow, DSG. Please complete on-line application, including a complete curriculum vitae and a detailed letter of interest. Also complete section providing 3 references.

For more information on IFPRI, visit our website at www.ifpri.org