Kenya: Social Scientist (post-doc)

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic, innovative and ambitious researcher to bring the power of qualitative social science to impactful research and development programs that can address major global challenges of poverty, malnutrition and climate change. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the efforts of international agricultural research to support the transformation of the world’s agri-food systems into more inclusive, sustainable and profitable sectors.

About CIP’s program:

CIP, a global CGIAR research center, works with partners to improve diets and incomes of poor people in Africa, Asia and Latin America through scientific research, innovation, and capacity strengthening. Focusing on potato and sweetpotato as the entry point, CIP’s programs seek to strengthen broader agri-food systems to generate economic, social and nutritional benefits for farmers, enterprises and consumers emphasizing the priorities of women and youth in particular. CIP emphasizes the synergies between of social and bio-physical sciences as a core strategy for making breakthroughs in our understanding of complex development challenges in food and agriculture and for our ability to overcome these. Within this pluralistic strategy, qualitative social science has a central place for explaining human and institutional behavior and understanding benefits and risks for human development from agro-ecological, technological and economic changes. CIP’s work is embedded in broader global CGIAR research programs encompassing the world’s main agro-food systems and priority development challenges.

About the position:

This Social Scientist will ensure that CIP’s ongoing and evolving research and development programs can make use of methodologies and insight from qualitative social science so that they can contribute effectively to answering strategic research questions of broad significance. Secondly, the Social Scientist will ensure that this research is carried out at excellent standards and results in impactful publications and can influence future research and policy design. The position will be part of CIP’s global Social and Nutrition Sciences Division and will work closely with Program Leaders and scientists across disciplines and countries. The position at least initially has a strong anchor in CIP’s Sweetpotato Program with a focus on Africa and South Asia but is relevant for all of CIP’s programs. The position will report to one of CIP’s global Program and Science Division Leaders and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya or another location pertinent to this position.

Key responsibilities:

· Provide science leadership across CIP’s program portfolio for the application of qualitative social science to addressing strategic research questions related to human and institutional behavior change and benefits and risks from agri-food system transformation.

· Work closely with science leaders and research and project teams to identify key social science research priorities in current and evolving projects and develop research strategies and plans for addressing these.

· Implement high quality and impactful social science research, in coordination with other science disciplines as appropriate, that generates significant new knowledge of international relevance.

· Produce peer-reviewed publications as lead author and contributing author in high quality journals, based on this research.

· Present research findings at international conferences.

· Develop new and innovative research projects or program components on cutting edge social science questions and mobilize resources for their implementation

· Develop and manage productive research partnerships with universities and research institutes of international stature.

· Contribute to program reporting and communications with development partners to ensure that findings from qualitative social research help strengthen CIP’s credibility and influence

Who are we looking for?

· PhD in a relevant social science discipline with a strong focus on qualitative methodologies.

· At least 02 years of relevant work experience in qualitative research methods pertinent to addressing strategic questions for CIP in the wider context of the Sustainable Development Goals.

· Excellent track record of original research and peer-reviewed publications based on qualitative social science methodologies.

· Sound understanding of current literature on behavior change, gender, youth, social inclusiveness, resilience and systems approaches.

· Excellent leadership skills to promote effective collaboration within research teams and across research partnerships.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Proficiency in French or Spanish is an advantage.

· Willingness and ability to travel and work in resource-poor, rural areas.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

· CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-art R&D background, and is a recent World Food Price Winner and awarded with the Al-Sumait Award for our Orange Flesh Sweet Potato work in Africa.

· CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved nutrition and well-being, and gender equality for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world.

· CIP is a member of CGIAR, a network of 15 research centers that are mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

What are we offering?

· Exciting career opportunity in an international organization.

· Internationally competitive salary, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.

· Comprehensive international insurance coverage.

· Attractive retirement plan.

· Three-year term contract with the possibility of renewal.

· Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

Visit the following link: http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ and submit your cover letter and a full C.V. with your references. Screening of applications will begin on December 1, 2018 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our website athttp://www.cipotato.org

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.