Associate Scientist – Gender and Social Inclusion

Associate Scientist – Gender and Social Inclusion

We believe in the power of science and innovation to drive positive social change. New insights from critical social research are needed to find solutions to global challenges like hunger, poverty, and environmental decline. Paired with biophysical and technology research, social sciences research is a powerful weapon for improving global food security, agricultural livelihoods, and sustainable food systems.

The International Potato Center (CIP) works at this frontier. Together with other research centers of the CGIAR and hundreds of science and innovation partners around the world, we develop new knowledge, technologies, research capacities, and partnerships to address agriculture and food system priorities of countries in the Global South. With an emphasis on potato, sweet-potato, and other root and tuber crops, we have helped improve the lives of millions of farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Qualitative social science has been a cornerstone of our success, and we are looking for a dynamic and results-oriented new associate scientist to work on gender and social inclusion challenges in agricultural research for development contexts.

The position: The new Associate Scientist (Gender and Social Inclusion) will work closely with our teams of social and biological scientists to support the design, delivery, and scaling of innovations that better respond to the needs, challenges, and opportunities faced by women, young people, and other intersectional groups. Through engagement in newly started research projects and programs, they will collaborate with like-minded scientists across the CGIAR. Gender equity and social inclusion are amongst our key concerns as we work with our partners from national agricultural research institutes, universities, private sector, and civil society to help make agrifood systems more sustainable and just.

The new Associate Scientist will engage closely with partners in the co-design and co-implementation of research endeavors. The goal of this position is to facilitate dialogue and conduct high-quality research in collaboration with a diversity of actors including internal and external stakeholders.

The position offers exciting mid-career opportunities in a dynamic and highly visible international work environment. It will report to the leader of CIP’s Social and Nutritional Sciences Division. The position will be based in one of CIP’s main offices as will be agreed with the selected candidate.

Duties and Responsibilities:

● Contribute to the design and implementation of a global research partnership that integrates qualitative and quantitative social sciences into biological and agricultural research at CIP, working closely with researchers from CIP and CGIAR.
● Co-design and co-implement high-quality and relevant social science research on major development challenges within the framework of evolving CIP and CGIAR Science and Innovation Strategies and research projects and programs, emphasizing impacts on gender equity and social inclusion.
● Publish results from this research in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences.
● Contribute to the design and implementation of CIP’s global research portfolio to foster gender equality and social inclusion.
● Work collaboratively with the team of social and biophysical scientists at CIP to identify and pursue funding opportunities to support new social science and integrated research at CIP.

Requirements

What are we looking for?

● PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant Social Science discipline (e.g. anthropology, sociology, gender studies, geography, political sciences, rural and development studies).
● A minimum of 2 years post-graduate experience in an international context with a growing academic publications record.
● Knowledge and competencies of latest qualitative and mixed-methods methodologies and approaches in social sciences and their application to research on global challenges of gender equity, social inclusion, and poverty reduction in the agricultural sector.
● Competency in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, in particular working with research teams in biotechnology, biological, agricultural, food, or environmental sciences.
● Strong interpersonal skills for teamwork with scientists and partners from diverse international and professional backgrounds.
● Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills. Verbal communication skills in other languages are an asset.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

● Urgent global crises ask for new science-based approaches to achieving gender equality and social inclusion in the context of agricultural research for global food security, improved nutrition, and well-being.
● CIP has new leadership keen on connecting social and biophysical sciences to address major agricultural and food system challenges facing the world today.
● CGIAR, a network of 15 global research centers, has embarked on a new and ambitious Science and Innovation Strategy supported by more than 50 funding agencies.

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.

How to apply?

Visit the following link: https://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ and submit your cover letter and a full C.V. with your references contact information. Screening of applications will begin on September 9th, 2024 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will be working or have contact with children and/or vulnerable adults.

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