Research Associate - Agricultural Economics

Background

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (www.ciat.cgiar.org) is an international organization working to reduce hunger and poverty, and improve human health in the tropics through research aimed at increasing the eco-efficiency of agriculture. CIAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org), a global research partnership working with many partners for a food secure future.

In this context, CIAT recently launched the Asia Climate Policy Hub (CPH), an initiative which provides socio-economic analysis supporting climate policies for agriculture. By offering targeted, science-based and timely advice to key players from the public and private sectors, the CPH supports decision-makers in designing and implementing effective climate policies and strategies for the agricultural sector. Essentially the CPH strives to deliver the right information to the right people at the right time in an effective format. The work of the CPH is steered by increased engagement with decision-making processes, which helps better anticipate demands and needs from our partners as well as developing new tools and methodologies. In Asia, CIAT supports climate change investment strategy and policy formulation in a number of countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Existing partners are diverse and include the Department of Agriculture (Philippines), FAO, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Vietnam), Mondelez, UN-REDD and the World Bank.

The Position

The Research Associate - Agricultural Economics will join the Climate Policy Hub (CPH). The selected candidate will work hand-in-hand with the rest of the CPH team (roughly 10 people) and the broader Climate Change Team (additional 15 people). The research will focus on climate change resilience of smallholder farmers, largely through climate smart agricultural practices. The position requires familiar with application of methods and analytical tools such as quantitative and qualitative surveys, cost-benefit, and typology and barriers analysis. The research is action-oriented, with the aim of informing decision makers in the private and public sectors on mechanisms to climate-proof their smallholder value chains.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to research on the implementation of climate smart agricultural practices in smallholder farms in the region
• Conduct field work, data collection and data analysis together with project partners
• Support the application of cost-benefit analysis for climate smart agricultural practices
• Support collaboration with partners, including facilitating workshops and training sessions
• Disseminate research findings to diverse users and stakeholders through scientific publications, policy briefs and working papers
• Contribute to proposals in support of public and private investments in agriculture to adapt and reduce emissions in the sector

Required Qualifications

• MSc in agricultural or environmental economics or related field
• At least two years of relevant experience in agriculture and/or natural resource management
• Demonstrated skills in surveys and other field research methods, including data management and analysis
• Comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. public sector, farmers, NGOs, research organizations)
• Experience with quantitative research and econometrics preferred
• Understanding and interest in climate change issues
• Excellent command of English and Vietnamese
• Willingness to travel in the Southeast Asia region

Terms of employment

The position is locally recruited and will be based at CIAT Regional Office, Hanoi, Vietnam. The initial contract will be for one year, subject to a three month probation period, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Applications

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and email addresses of two referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience.

All correspondence should be addressed to Tiffany Talsma ([email protected]), Godefroy Grosjean ([email protected]) and our HR Officer ([email protected]).

Closing date for applications: 30 September 2017 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

We invite you to learn more about us at: http://www.ciat.cgiar.org