Associate Research Fellow/Research Fellow

May 02 2022

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, 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.

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.

PhD in International Nutrition, Public Health, Health Systems, Economics, Agricultural Economics or other related fields

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 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

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

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