Associate scientist - impact evaluation, policy, and foresight clusterInternational Rice Research Institute

About IRRI
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.
Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.
Job Purpose
The Associate Scientist under the Impact Evaluation, Policy and Foresight (IEPF) Cluster will be part of a transdisciplinary team of biophysical and social scientists operating under the new CGIAR Market Intelligence and Product Profiling Initiative (MIPPI) (2022-2024). Under the supervision of the IEPF cluster leader, the Associate Scientist will contribute in conceptualization, design and implementation of research studies related to MIPPI's Work Packages 1 and 5. The incumbent will assist the PDF-Agricultural and Resource economist to estimate and describe the opportunity or potential impacts in each product market segment and across the segments served by a pipeline and calculate metrics to determine the return on investment for each pipeline, developing recommendations for the prioritization of and level of investment in each pipeline.
The staff is also expected to contribute to the implementation of the monitoring and Evaluation strategy for AGGRi Alliance project under Outcome 5. He/she will be invited to participate in some functions of the IEPF cluster at the institute level as requested by the IRRI management.
This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Philippines.
Roles and Responsibilities
Contribute in conceptualization of research through foresight modeling with the transdisciplinary team in WP1 to generate market intelligence across five Impact Areas: (i) nutrition, health and food security; (ii) poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs; (iii) gender equality, youth and social inclusion; (iv) climate adaptation and mitigation; and (v) environmental health and biodiversity (15% time allocation)
Contribute to research activities on advanced investment and cost analysis of breeding pipelines to support prioritization of breeding investments based on potential impact and trade-offs between Impact Areas, and optimization of investments in breeding pipelines (10% time allocation)
Contribute to Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact Assessment (MELIA), training and scaling activities with the team in WP5 (25% time allocation)
Contribute to the implementation of the monitoring and Evaluation strategy for AGGRi Alliance project under Outcome 5 (50% time allocation)
Manage the implementation of research studies
Consolidate, evaluate, verify and analyze data related to research studies.
Coordinate closely with MIPPI's CGIAR, NARES and public and private sector partners to incorporate pipeline investment cases into research programs and projects
Coordinate closely with research decision makers and donors to support investment decision making through high-quality evidence
Coordinate and monitor research activities on a regular basis to ensure the efficiency of the research process/operation
Manage other research activities such as services sourced out from other units, private research partners, collaborators, and/or consultants.
Act as a resource person in workshops within and outside IRRI and One CGIAR, whenever necessary
Guide/coach scholars and interns
Publish and actively contribute to the content of project reports, scientific papers, data articles, posters and databases
Present research studies at seminars and/or conferences (local/international)
Contribute to the establishment and implementation of M&E strategy for AGGri-Alliance
Contribute to the development of annual reports for AGGri-Alliance and MIPPI
Qualifications
Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, Business Management, or related disciplines and 5 years' solid experience in survey data analysis, econometric modelling, impact assessment of agricultural technologies, program evaluation, research methodologies, and strong publication record.
PhD degree in Agricultural Economics, Business Management, or related disciplines fields and 2 years' experience in implementing surveys and behavioral experiments and analyzing farmers and stakeholders' research studies
Skills Required
Mandatory
Have solid experience in managing large survey data, econometric analysis, impact assessment of agricultural technologies, program evaluation, research methodologies, and writing scientific reports
Has strong oral and written communication skills
Has excellent analytical skills using advanced statistical and econometric tools for impact assessment
Has strong publication record
Has experience with Research management
Preferred
Has good presentation skills
IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances. Join our team and be part of our story!
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.
International Rice Research Institute

Philippines
Permanent
Full-time