Associate Research Fellow/ Research Fellow

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as an Associate Research Fellow (ARF) or Research Fellow (RF) for a two-year, renewable appointment in the Development Strategy and Governance Division. The selected candidate will conduct research examining the effects of interventions designed to increase healthy food intake across the value chain and will also engage in analysis of secondary datasets including household surveys, market price and food environment surveys. This is expected to include work on determinants of dietary choices, food demand analysis, costs of healthy diets, adoption of improved agricultural practices, and will be multi-disciplinary in nature. In addition, the candidate will work closely with the team and our implementation partners to identify opportunities for increasing program impact on fruit and vegetable intake and overall diet quality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) along the value chain from production to intake. The candidate will also contribute to fund-raising activities, dissemination of findings, and engagement in target countries to stimulate the uptake of research findings and evidence-based policy making. The candidate will also work on other related research projects, as needed. This is a regional position, with the candidate expected to work on Sri Lanka as well as other South Asian and South-East Asian countries.

This position is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and will require international travel.

Please note that ARF appointments at IFPRI have a maximum term of three (3) years, inclusive of any approved appointment extensions. After the maximum appointment term, ARFs may be considered for a promotion to the next level.

The final grade level (ARF or RF) for this position will be determined by demonstrated experience and track record of publications.

Essential Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Conduct secondary analysis of household surveys, market price surveys, food environment surveys to examine determinants of food demand or food choice, costs of diets and specific food groups, and drivers of food production and trade.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and coordination of research on the effectiveness of programs to increase fruit and vegetable intake and improve overall diet quality and subsequently to reduce all forms of malnutrition and improve health and well-being outcomes among poor populations in low and middle-income countries.
• Support the design of program/policy evaluations including, but not limited to, the use of experimental designs for impact evaluations, use of mixed methods for analysis of program impact pathways.
• Support collaborations with program implementation partners in the design and evaluation of nutrition-sensitive programs.
• Design and manage survey field work activities (including, but not limited to household surveys, market surveys, collection of data on food environments, informal food sector, and drivers of dietary choices), working closely with senior researchers, local collaborators, and research support staff and liaising with program donors.
• Conduct empirical data analysis; prepare technical/donor reports, journal articles, and dissemination materials including blogs and project/policy notes.
• Collaborate in writing research proposals to complement existing funds for the research program.
• Manage research reporting requirements to funding agencies and to the One CGIAR.
• Disseminate research findings to governments, donors, the academic community, and other stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels.
• Publish research findings in high impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Maintain and coordinate excellent relationships with research program donors and partners.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Economics, Agriculture or Food Policy related field, International Nutrition, Public Health, or other closely related fields
• High level of proficiency in quantitative research methods
• Prior research on topics related to nutrition, food demand, agricultural production in poor areas of LMICs; familiarity and previous work on the nutrition transition and programs and policies to address multiple forms of malnutrition
• Experience working in multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrated ability to effectively design and implement survey data collection
• Ability and experience in managing internal and external relationships with project teams, donors, and collaborators
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to travel extensively.

At the Research Fellow Level:

• Excellent publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• 3+ years of post-PhD experience relevant to the job and demonstrated fundraising experience
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience building and managing teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with specific issues related to low intake of fruits and vegetables
• Familiarity or experience with behavior change communication (or other) approaches to shift dietary practices
• Familiarity with food systems related research and analysis in LMICs
• Familiarity or experience with qualitative or mixed methods research approaches
• Understanding of multi-sectoral program and policy design and implementation, and experience working and engaging with program implementers and policy makers
• Capability and interest in capacity strengthening and policy dialogue with international agencies, NGOs and donors
• Experience working with researchers from other social and biological sciences
• Proficiency or fluency in Sinhala or Tamil or Hindi

Physical Demand & Work environment:

• Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time.
• Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds.
• Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading.

IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI’s strategic research aims to foster a climate-resilient and sustainable food supply; promote healthy diets and nutrition for all; build inclusive and efficient markets, trade systems, and food industries; transform agricultural and rural economies; and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is integrated in all the Institute’s work. Partnerships, communications, capacity strengthening, and data and knowledge management are essential components to translate IFPRI’s research from action to impact. The Institute’s regional and country programs play a critical role in responding to demand for food policy research and in delivering holistic support for country-led development. IFPRI collaborates with partners around the world and is a CGIAR Research Center.

IFPRI offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. IFPRI is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that the diversity of its staff contributes to excellence. Women and developing country professionals are encouraged to apply.

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