Associate Research Fellow/Research Fellow

Job Summary 

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as an Associate Research Fellow (ARF) or Research Fellow (RF) for a two-year, fixed term, renewable appointment in the Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division (PHND). The selected candidate will conduct research under the IFPRI-led new One CGIAR initiative “Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation” (SHiFT). This position will include supporting the overall coordination of the initiative across its multiple international, regional, and local partners in a range of countries in Africa, South/South-East Asia, and Latin America. The candidate will also work with the team on shaping the research agenda under this program and conducting and publishing research on consumer demand for sustainable healthy diets, the relative role of food environments and of individual, household, and community factors in driving dietary choices, and on testing and evaluating promising policy actions at consumer and/or food environment levels to improve the quality and sustainability of diets in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries. The candidate will also contribute to fund-raising activities, dissemination of findings, and engagement in target countries to stimulate the uptake of research findings and evidence-based policy making. The candidate will also work on other related research projects, as needed. The position reports to the Director of the Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division.

This position is based at IFPRI headquarters in Washington, DC and will require international travel.

Please note that ARF appointments at IFPRI have a maximum term of three (3) years, inclusive of any approved appointment extensions. After the maximum appointment term, ARFs may be considered for a promotion to the next level.

The final grade level (ARF or RF) for this position will be determined by demonstrated experience and track record of publications.

Essential Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the design and coordination of the initiative’s research program and conduct research on the linkages between food systems, food environments, food consumption choices, healthy and sustainable diets, multiple forms of malnutrition, and health (and related topics) among poor populations in low and middle-income countries.
• Support the design of program/policy evaluations including, but not limited to, the use of experimental designs for impact evaluations, use of mixed methods for analysis of program impact pathways, and use of cost-effectiveness assessment methods.
• Design and manage survey field work activities (including, but not limited to household surveys, market surveys, collection of data on food environments, informal food sector, and drivers of dietary choices), working closely with senior researchers, local collaborators, and research support staff and liaising with program donors.
• Conduct empirical data analysis; prepare technical/donor reports, journal articles, and dissemination materials including blogs and project/policy notes.
• Collaborate in writing research proposals to complement existing funds for the research program.
• Manage research reporting requirements to funding agencies and to the One CGIAR.
• Disseminate research findings to governments, donors, the academic community, and other stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels.
• Publish research findings in high impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Maintain and coordinate excellent relationships with research program donors and partners.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in International Nutrition, Public Health, Health Systems, Economics, Agricultural Economics or other related fields
• Proficiency in quantitative research methods
• Prior research on topics related to nutrition and dietary assessment in poor areas of LMICs; familiarity and previous work on the nutrition transition and programs and policies to address multiple forms of malnutrition; experience with tools, methods, and metrics for measuring healthy diets and assessing characterizing markets and food environments
• Experience working in multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrated ability to effectively design and implement survey data collection
• Ability and experience in managing internal and external relationships with project teams, donors, and collaborators
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to travel extensively.

At the Research Fellow Level:

• Excellent publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• 3+ years of post-PhD experience relevant to the job and demonstrated fundraising experience
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience building and managing teams

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with food systems and food and nutrition policy research and analysis in LMICs
• Familiarity or experience with qualitative or mixed methods research approaches
• Capability and interest in capacity strengthening and policy dialogue with international NGOs and donor agencies
• Understanding of multi-sectoral program and policy design and implementation, and experience working and engaging with program implementers and policy makers such as governments, non-governmental organizations, and United Nations institutions
• Experience working with researchers from other social and biological sciences
• Proficiency or fluency in French and/or Spanish.

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer – F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Apply here.