Research Assistant

Research Assistant, Agro-Economics and Modelling of Forages Program

(Professional Services Contract, 6 months - Hanoi, Vietnam)

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) works to reduce hunger and poverty, and improve human nutrition in the tropics, through research aimed at achieving a sustainable food future. CIAT is a member of the CGIAR (www.cgiar.org), a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure future. CIAT’s research focuses on increasing productivity of key tropical crops, reversing soil and land degradation, and using information to foster better decisions about issues such as climate change and environmental management. CIAT engages with a broad range of institutions and groups for collaborative research, capacity building and knowledge networking in Asia.

CIAT and partners across the tropics promote the widespread adoption of Tropical Forages along with other improved feeding methods among the large number of farmers, mainly on small and medium-sized holdings. Our research aims to identify approaches to sustainable intensification that will scale up the livelihood and environmental benefits of forage-based systems.

CIAT scientists are studying the current and potential climate change impacts of various livestock production systems in the tropics and defining strategies for large-scale intensification of livestock production systems that are more climate friendly, more efficient in using resources, and more economically and ecologically sustainable.

Summary

The position will provide expertise in economics and modelling for the BMZ-funded project entitled “Hands and Minds connected to boost Eco-efficiency on Smallholder Livestock-Crop Systems”.

Deliverables

• Methodology developed for rapid assessment of economic evaluation of forages options

• Data set on economic evaluation of forages

• Draft manuscript for peer-reviewed publication on the economic evaluation of forages options in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Required Qualifications:

• Master degree in Agricultural economics

• Working experience with mixed crop-livestock systems

• Experience in assessing the economic potential of contrasting natural resources management options

• Experience with field data measurement

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Good computer skills including the use of statistical packages

• Willingness to travel and to spend time in the field

• Ability to work in interdisciplinary and international team

• Excellent communication and networking skills

• Excellent written and spoken English

Terms of employment:

This is a position with a 6-month professional service contract, based at the CIAT Asia regional office in Hanoi, Vietnam and will report directly to CIAT’s Forages and livestock theme coordinator. CIAT will provide business visa. No IT and facilities provided. CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Applications

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. All correspondence should be addressed to the CIAT Asia Human Resources Office to Ms. Khuong Thanh Thuy ([email protected]) and clearly indicate “Professional Service for Agro-Economics and Modelling of Forages Program”.

Closing date for applications: July 31, 2017

or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Pre-application inquiries may be addressed to the Forages and Livestock theme coordinator ([email protected])

We invite you to learn more at:http://www.ciat.cgiar.orgOR http://ciat.cgiar.org/about/strategy/sustainable-food-systems/ORhttp://a4nh.cgiar.org/