Desk-based Researcher (Part-time Consultant)
The Organization
The Alliance of Bioversity International delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
The Alliance works with local, national, and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.
About the position
As a part-time member of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the successful candidate will play a critical role in the Climate Resilience Study, an initiative endorsed by the PepsiCo Global Sustainability team.
This is home-based position with the option to work from the Hanoi office if so desired. The scope of work focuses on literature review on adaptation practices in potato and corn production systems in Asia. Specifically: potato production in China, Indonesia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and corn production in Indonesia.
The researcher will identify the primary crop-specific farm and landscape management practices that are needed to respond to key climate risks of heat, drought, extreme rainfall and occasionally, frost. The recommendations will be used by the PepsiCo Agronomic teams to inform their sustainability strategies – “Regenerative Agriculture Roadmaps” – and is a unique opportunity to influence corporate strategy towards more sustainable investments in farmers’ resilience.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive desk-based research and literature reviews focused on climate change implications for potato production in China, Indonesia, New Zealand, Taiwan and corn production in Indonesia. This involves researching various scientific and agricultural studies to understand how climate change is impacting these crops specifically in these regions;
- Work collaboratively with the team to analyze findings and develop practical, actionable recommendations for adapting agricultural practices to changing climate conditions;
- Systematically populate and manage an Excel database with a wide range of adaptation practices. This includes detailing each practice's impact on crop yields, its effectiveness in responding to specific climatic risks, and its influence on greenhouse gas emissions;
- Maintain precise and detailed documentation, synthesizing data into a comprehensive practice bank to support the development and execution of adaptation strategies, with a particular focus on English editing;
- Conduct interviews and consultations with subject matter experts such as agronomists, to gain understanding of how climate change affects agricultural productivity and costs, as well as to validate proposed recommendations.
Required qualifications and skills
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in agronomy, soil science, sociology, rural development, climate studies, or similar fields;
- Profound knowledge of agricultural livelihood and crop production, especially potato and corn;
- Experience with desk research, literature reviews, and the utilization of existing datasets for research purposes;
- Advanced proficiency in data analysis tools, including Excel;
- Fluency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Terms of contract
This position will be part-time, home-based, and tailored to the context of the 04 targeted countries. The contract will be for 6 months and may be renewed depending on performance and availability of funds.
The Alliance is an equal opportunity organization, and strive for gender, diversity, and inclusion, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.
Applications
Please send applications to [email protected] with the subject line: Desk-Based Researcher on Climate Resilience as position being applied for. In your email, please include:
- A cover letter illustrating your motivation to apply and suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications and work responsibilities, and
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
Applications should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last and first names for ease of sorting.
The Alliance collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training).
Applications closing date: 30th January 2024
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about us at:
http://alliancebioversityciat.org