Graduate Agricultural Economist at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

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 approach 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.

We invite applications for the internationally recruited position of:

Job Title: Agricultural Economist

Ref: DDG-R4D/AE/SARD-SC/06/15
Location: Abuja

Background and Responsibilities

• The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) seeks an agricultural economist to lead a program of research and capacity building on impact assessment and value chains focusing on cassava and maize under the SARD-SC project - Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa.
• As part of the larger SARD-SC project and under the guidance of a senior agricultural economist, the successful candidate will lead and coordinate technology adoption and impact assessment studies in the respective target countries for cassava (D.R. Congo, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia) and maize (Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Zambia) interventions.
• The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (the Executing Agency) and its partners Africa Rice Centre and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (the Implementing Agencies) has received a grant from the African Development Fund (ADF) to finance the Multinational-CGIAR Project on Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD-SC).
• The overall objective of SARD-SC is to enhance food and nutrition security and contribute to poverty reduction in Bank’s low income Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Its specific objective is to enhance the productivity and income of four CAADP’s priority value chains (cassava, maize, rice, and wheat) on a sustainable basis.
• The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the Executing Agency for the SARD-SC, wishes to use a portion of the grant to engage the services of an Agricultural Economist.

Qualification and Experience

• The candidate should have a PhD in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or Development Economics from a highly recognized university.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated experience with impact evaluation of agricultural technologies, market or sub-sector studies, or value chain analysis.
• Knowledge of innovation systems, innovation platforms, and social network mapping. 
• Proficiency with econometric modeling methods and software (e.g. Stata).
• Knowledge of data collection tools and analytical methods for adoption and impact assessment as well as for value chain analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with large-scale technology adoption and impact surveys.
• A high degree of personal organization and ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to write and publish journal articles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (knowledge of French is an advantage); and
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

General Information

• We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.
• The contract will be for an initial period of two (2) years with possibility of renewal based on performance and continued availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Application Closing Date
26th June, 2015.

Method of Application
Interested applicants should forward their applications which 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.

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