Regional Researcher - Innovation Scaling and Partnership

Regional Researcher - Innovation Scaling and Partnership

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a scaling expert to join its office in Accra, Ghana as a Regional Researcher - Innovation Scaling and Partnership.

This is a regionally recruited position; therefore, individuals with experience in the African region and relevant abilities, from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply.

This is a readvertisement of the position. If you have applied before, please do not reapply. Thank you for your understanding.

The Regional Researcher - Innovation Scaling and Partnership will play a pivotal role in advancing the scaling of water innovations across the agricultural, energy, and environmental sectors. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead cutting-edge research, foster multi-stakeholder partnerships, and contribute to sustainable development in some of the world's most dynamic and challenging environments.

Why you should join us?

• Impactful Work: Contribute to transformative projects that address critical challenges in water, food, and climate resilience.
• Professional Growth: Engage in cutting-edge research and collaborate with leading experts and institutions.
• Global Network: Be part of a global network of researchers and practitioners dedicated to sustainable development.
• Innovative Environment: Work in a dynamic and innovative environment that values creativity and collaboration.
• Career Development: Access to professional development opportunities and career advancement within a prestigious international organization.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead Action Research: Spearhead innovative research on scaling water solutions across the food-water-environment and energy sectors in diverse geographies and market systems.
• Design Frameworks: Develop conceptual frameworks for co-designing, implementing, and monitoring scaling activities with public and private sector actors.
• Innovative Methods: Create and apply innovative methods to assess and develop incentives for public and private sector alignment and collective action.
• Project Leadership: Coordinate and implement research projects with partners across Africa, ensuring impactful and sustainable outcomes.
• Data Analysis: Utilize advanced methods to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative datasets relevant to systems science and innovation scaling.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Assess the sustainability and equitability of scaling pathways and partnerships.
• Communication: Disseminate research findings through scientific publications, technical reports, blogs, and policy briefs.
• Partnership Development: Expand IWMI's innovation scaling research portfolio by fostering partnerships with public and private investors.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain platforms for dialogue with national and regional stakeholders, including the private sector.
• Sub-Agreement Management: Develop and manage sub-agreements with partners, collaborating closely with IWMI's HR, Finance, and project management units.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• PhD in human geography, political science, sociology, development economics, business, or a related field, with 3 years of post-doctoral experience.
• Proven experience in scaling agricultural innovation, value chain development, and market systems.
• Strong track record in combining qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Experience in advising and engaging with private sector, governments, and individuals on agricultural development and innovation.
• Experience with private sector actors and agricultural financial investors.
• Project management in complex political and social environments.
• Proficiency in qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas).
• Fundraising and donor engagement experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Expertise in applying technical, economic, institutional, and innovation system theories.
• Strong analytical skills for designing and analyzing innovation scaling from a systemic perspective.
• Ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships in agricultural water management and agri-business.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, with the ability to work independently.
• Collaborative spirit, thriving in multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, and multicultural environments.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and accountable, with strong communication skills in English.
• Knowledge of water management, agriculture, or climate change within international organizations.
• Understanding of challenges and opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa related to water, land, and agricultural development.
• Fluency in French is a plus.

This is a regionally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Regionally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents, and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on May 11, 2025 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.