Researcher - Social Scientist

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Researcher - Social Scientist (Hyderabad, India)

IWMI seeks a highly competent and dynamic Researcher-Social Sciences to be based in its South Asia Office in Hyderabad, India. The Researcher will contribute to IWMI’s social science research capabilities in the South Asia region and to other regions when needed. More specifically, the Researcher will initially work on on-going projects on policy and institutional relationships in Indian watershed development programs and on the impacts of agricultural water management interventions in challenging contexts in Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Researcher will also contribute to the intellectual development and implementation of new projects and provide social science inputs into a variety of projects in IWMI’s research portfolio.

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a non-profit, scientific organization engaged in research and capacity building activities for developing countries. Our mission is to overcome poverty through the better management of land and water resources. Working with diverse partners and supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), IWMI seeks to translate its research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers, resource managers and poor rural communities. IWMI is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka and has regional offices located in 12 countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Location: The position will be based in IWMI’s South Asia office in Hyderabad, India and reports to an IWMI Project Leader and/or Theme Leader on Water and Society.

Job Purpose: To develop innovative methodologies, guide their empirical implementation and provide insightful interpretation of data to address socio-economic and institutional issues relating to agricultural water management in developing countries. Results should provide recommendations to enable policy makers to make informed decisions on appropriate agricultural water management interventions.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conducting high quality research on socio-economic and institutional issues relating to water management, political ecology and political economy of water resources development in South Asia
• Developing and conducting research on institutional and political economy of watershed development, institutional reform in the waters sector, changes in property rights and their impacts of agricultural productivity, livelihoods and poverty.
• Designing and implementing research to enhance livelihoods of poor rural farming communities in challenging contexts through improved knowledge of agricultural land and water management
• Designing and implementing field data collection, and supervising the field-work of research assistants
• Communicating research results in internal and external forums.
• Facilitating the uptake of research outcomes by government, development NGOs and the private sector.
• Contribute to IWMI’s capacity building efforts in the area of policy analysis and institution building

Selection Criteria:

The following table outlines the attributes required and the criteria against which applications will be assessed.

Qualifications:

ESSENTIAL
• Ph.D. in a relevant field of the social sciences for example: geography, sociology or anthropology or similar

Experience and Knowledge:

ESSENTIAL
• Minimum of 3 years research experience on water/land or natural resources management in developing countries.

• Strong grasp of the theory of institutions, political ecology/ political economy, or related concepts

• Excellent skills in social science research and institutional analysis

• Competency in the application of standard statistical methods in social sciences

• Knowledge of agricultural concerns in South Asian countries

• Track record of publications in peer reviewed journals

DESIRABLE
• Experience of living and working in developing countries

Skills & Abilities:

ESSENTIAL
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English

• Excellent inter-personnel skills and an affinity for team-work with people from different cultural and professional backgrounds

• Strong client orientation

Salary and Benefits:

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary and benefits package. This includes housing and vehicle allowance, retirement and health insurance package. The position will be governed by IWMI terms of employment. The position will be for three years with the possibility of extension.

How to Apply:

To apply for this post:

• Complete application form http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/About_IWMI/Vacancies
• Attach your résumé.
• Attach a letter of application, which specifically addresses the selection criteria outlined previously; include the names and addresses of 3 referees who may be contacted if you are short listed.
• Submit online.

If you do not receive an automatic acknowledgement email within 24 hours of sending your application, then contact: The Human Resources Office, IWMI, P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Email: work-at-iwmi@cgiar.org 

We will begin reviewing applications on 30 June 2010 – and continue until the position is filled. To ensure optimal review of your materials, please be sure your application is complete by this date.

Schedule for Selection Process:
There may be telephone interviews for short-listed candidates during the week 12 July 2010 and selection interviews will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka or Hyderabad, India in the week of 6 September 2010. Although these dates may be subject to change, it would be useful if candidates could be available around these dates.

For further information visit IWMI - http://www.iwmi.org 

IWMI is an equal opportunity employer and is keen to further diversify its staff in terms of both gender and nationality.

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