Post-Doctoral Fellow – Agricultural Economist (SMART-IV-RAP)

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Ref: IRS/16/RD/August 2011

Post-Doctoral Fellow – Agricultural Economist (SMART-IV-RAP) 

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice, ex-WARDA) is seeking for a highly qualified PDF- Agricultural Economist to be based at the temporary headquarters in Cotonou, Benin. He/she will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team with a common goal and responsible for working to sustain and improve the productivity and competitiveness of inland valley rice-based production systems in Africa consistent with the mission and mandate of AfricaRice.

About AfricaRice 

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is an association of 24 African member states and one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers supported by the Consortium on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The Center’s mission is to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa, through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the productivity and profitability of the rice sector in ways that ensure the sustainability of the farming environment. AfricaRice is temporarily headquartered in Cotonou, Benin.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Program Leader, Policy, Innovation Systems and Impact Assessment, the Post-Doctoral Fellow – Agricultural Economist will perform the following tasks: 1) Lead the socio-economic component of the SMART-IV and RAP projects in collaboration with the project Scientists and partners from universities and national and international research systems, 2) Conduct applied and strategic socio-economic research for improving the productivity, environmental sustainability and market competitiveness of inland valley (IV) rice-based system,

He/she will conduct activities within the team with the specific tasks that include, but not limited to: 

1.      Examine agricultural transformation, productivity change, resource use, sustainability and the drivers of change in IV rice-based farming systems;

2.      Explore the determinants of technology adaption, impact pathways and differential outcomes on poverty, gender and food security for targeting technology and policy interventions in relation to IV rice-based farming systems;

3.      Analyze and strengthen institutional arrangements relevant to agriculture, particularly those dealing with access to resources (land, water, credit, …) in IV rice based-systems; 

4.      Undertake scientific analyses of qualitative and quantitative data, and other processes  essential for publishing and reporting results or findings;

5.      Publish and communicate research through journals, policy briefs, general interest outlets and the media;

6.      Support in the compilation of operational, administrative or other project related matters;

7.      Support and contribute to training of postgraduate students and supervise support staff;

8.      Undertake any other duties as requested by the SMART-IV and RAP project coordinators.

Requirements:

·         PhD degree or equivalent in Economics or Agricultural Economics

·         Long experience in rice-based systems analysis,

·         Good knowledge of resource economics, institutional economics and experience in advanced quantitative analysis,

·         Strong oral and written communication skills in French and/or English with a good working knowledge of the other language.

·         Ability to work with other scientists and partners  

Terms and Conditions

o    This is an Internationally Recruited position.

o    AfricaRice provides attractive international salary and benefits package and a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment.

o    The appointment is for two years with possibility for renewal  

Application procedure: 

Candidates should send an application (with a statement of any special qualifications for the position). The application should include a covering letter together with an up-to-date detailed curriculum vitae with the names and addresses (including telephone / fax / email) of three referees to:

Human Resources Department, AfricaRice
01 BP 2031 Cotonou, Benin
F: + (229) 21 35 05 56; T: (229) 21 35 01 88
Email: africarice-hr@cgiar.org  

Applications will be considered up to August, 31 2011 or until the position is filled.

AfricaRice believes that staff diversity promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages applications from women and developing country professionals. 

AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only the short listed candidates will be contacted. 

To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at www.africaricecenter.org