Agricultural Economist
(Foresight Modeler) Ref No: DDG-R4D/AE/FM/12/14)
Background: The International Institute of Tropical
Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited
position of Agricultural
Economist (Foresight Modeler) .
IITA is an international
non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization established
in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium
. Our R4D appro
ach is anchored on the development needs of the tropics. We work
with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and
consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture . We have more than 100
internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally
recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/
for more information on IITA.
The International Institute of
Tropical Agriculture (IITA) seeks a qualified agricultural economist/foresight
modeler to lead a program of research involving ex-ante evaluation of promising
agricultural technologies for guiding strategic planning and priority setting
of national and international agricultural research. This is part of the global
futures and strategic foresight program, which is a CGIAR initiative led by
IFPRI and aimed at identifying options to address the emerging global
challenges to agricultural productivity, food security, and environmental
sustainability. The successful candidate will work on IITA’s foresight
activities within the Global Futures and Strategic Foresight Program using a
coordinated suite of biophysical and socioeconomic modeling tools to conduct
rigorous analysis of promising technologies, investments and policies to inform
decision making. T he main responsibility of the successful candidate will be
to carry out ex-ante evaluation of new cassava, cowpea, maize, soybean, and yam
technologies using a suite of crop growth models and an enhanced version of
IFPRI’s International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and
Trade (IMPACT) for estimating their potential impacts on food production, child
malnutrition, and poverty under alternative socioeconomic and climate change
scenarios. The position involves extensive interdisciplinary collaboration with
crop scientists and crop modeling experts and with partners in other
collaborating institutions.
Position/Responsibilities: Specific duties and responsibilities
include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Establish and lead IITA’s strategic foresight research
program with support from the CGIAR Research Programs on Policies,
Institutions, and Markets (CRP-PIM). - Build scenarios and databases and undertake ex-ante
evaluation of new cassava, cowpea, maize, soybean, and yam technologies
using a suite of crop growth models and an enhanced version of the IMPACT
model. - Contribute to the improvement of the global partial
equilibrium agricultural sector model (IMPACT). - Analyze the production, demand, and prices of IITA
mandate crops under alternative scenarios of climate change and R&D
investments. - Coordinate and lead collaborative foresight activities
with external partners (e.g. CG centers, advanced research institutes,
etc.) as well as with interdisciplinary teams at IITA involving strong
collaboration with crop scientists and crop modelers. - Publish research findings and contribute to
dissemination of research results and development outcomes to
stakeholders. - Contribute to capacity strengthening of national
partners. - Participate actively in annual review and planning
meetings, resource mobilization, and contribute to strategic research
planning.
Educational
Qualifications
The candidate should have a PhD
in agricultural economics, economics, or applied economics from a highly
recognized university, with a strong interdisciplinary background and proven
experience in the application of quantitative methods.
Core Competencies:
- Strong knowledge and experience with economic simulation
methods and partial and general-equilibrium models. - Knowledge of mathematical programming methods (e.g.
GAMS). - Experience with strategic analysis and impact evaluation
of agricultural research. - Willingness and ability to conduct multi-disciplinary
work involving multi-disciplinary teams. - Demonstrated ability to write and publish journal
articles. - Excellent spoken and written English; knowledge of
French is an advantage. - Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary and
multi-cultural environment.
Duty station : The position will be based at
IITA-Malawi in Lilongwe, or at other IITA stations in West Africa, but will
involve extensive travels within and outside Africa.
General information: The contract will be for an initial
period of three years with possibility of renewal based on performance and
availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration
package paid in U.S. Dollars.
Applications: Applications must include covering letter
which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the
specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and
addresses of three professional referees (which must include either
the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s
direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The
application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please
complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers
Closing Date: The position will remain open until a
suitable candidate is found
IITA is an equal
opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women
candidates.
Please note that only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
