The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is seeking an Impact and Policy Head for HarvestPlus. This position is a three-year, fixed term, renewable appointment based at IFPRI headquarters in Washington DC. Final grade will be determined by number of years of relevant work experience and number of publications.
HarvestPlus is an international, multi-disciplinary alliance, which seeks to breed and disseminate biofortified staple food crops to reduce micronutrient malnutrition in developing countries. The initial target micronutrients are iron, zinc, and vitamin A. HarvestPlus involves collaboration between ten CGIAR Centers and a large number of partner institutions in developing and developed countries.
Essential Duties
The Impact and Policy Head will provide overall leadership for evaluating impact and undertaking policy analysis under this under this inter-disciplinary project. Responsibilities include:
1. Impact Evaluation
• Refine and implement present impact analysis strategy to assess impact and cost effectiveness of biofortification, both on a pilot basis and in scale-out.
• Collaborate with nutritionists on assessing the impact of biofortification on nutrient intakes, nutritional status and/or functional outcomes
• Facilitate the work of the impact analysis leaders and coordinate collaboration and discussion across the crops.
• Develop and implement an impact assessment strategy for multiple micronutrients as multiple biofortified crops are deployed
• Provide written annual assessments for each crop and synthesize findings.
2. Policy Analysis
Develop a program of policy research and outreach related to HarvestPlus in the following areas:
• Factors affecting micronutrient food consumption and changes in the micronutrient aspects of diets of the poor
• Intra-household distribution of micronutrients in food and how to impact on these
3. Acceptance of biofortified crops
• Conduct formative research on producer and consumer acceptance of crops with visible and invisible traits
• Conduct other research as necessary to ensure widespread acceptance of biofortified crops
4. As a member of the Program Management Team:
• Assist with the implementation of the strategy of the Program and decisions on the allocation of its resources.
• Interact with the Program Advisory Committee (help in the planning of and participate in annual project meetings and annual crop meetings).
• Facilitate information flows across program components, and
• Undertake outreach/networking within agriculture and plant research communities and participate in fund-raising.
Required Skills:
PhD degree, with specialization in economics, agricultural economics or a related discipline.
• Sound knowledge on statistics and survey designs, and randomized control trials
• Minimum of 6 years working experience in developing countries, with experience in undertaking quantitative research on impact of the introduction of agricultural technologies and/or nutrition interventions
Please see below for additional required skills.
Required Skills:
•• Some knowledge and understanding of the links between agriculture and health
• Capable of communicating effectively with researchers in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, and health.
• Good interpersonal communication skills, writing ability and administrative skills; and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel (estimated: one-quarter of the time).
• Excellent written and verbal English.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in supervising household surveys in developing countries.
• Training in plant breeding or human nutrition and health, or a good understanding of these fields.
• Basic command of Spanish, Portuguese and French.
To Apply
To apply for this position, please visit this page and scroll down for application instructions.
Please do not send any inquires or resumes directly to HarvestPlus-we will be unable to respond. You must apply through the link provided above.
