Postdoctoral Fellow - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics at International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Last Date for application: January 24, 2011

The Person and the Job
If you have earned a PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics or Natural Resource Economics, and you wish to conduct research that will enhance livelihoods and improve resource management in developing countries, you could be the person we are looking for. We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to study the farm-level and regional economics of water use in agriculture, with the goal of contributing to policy discussions in national and international forums. Your work with IWMI will involve such topics as water pricing and allocation, economic incentives, water rights, governance structures, and the potential risks and rewards to farm-level investments in irrigation. You will be involved in the study of the economics of groundwater use, both spatially and over time, and analyze policy options for improving groundwater management. You will also contribute to our understanding of the risks and rewards to investments in rainfed agriculture in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where IWMI conducts most of its research. We will ask you also to assist in developing and applying hydro-economic models to examine questions involving regional and international water resource issues.

Many of the studies you conduct will contribute directly to policy discussions involving the best ways to increase agricultural productivity, improve farm incomes and enhance food security in water-scarce regions. While reporting to IWMI’s Principal Economist, you will have the unique opportunity to work closely with many notable social and physical scientists at our headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and our regional offices across Asia and Africa. If this opportunity appeals to your sense of intellectual adventure, please read on, to learn additional details regarding your duties and qualifications.

You will:

• conduct research consistent with IWMI’s mission and priorities, in collaboration with other IWMI researchers;
• conceive research projects that involve IWMI colleagues and our scholarly partners in national research centers;
• prepare research proposals, in cooperation with colleagues, for funding to support IWMI’s economics program;
• publish results in international scientific journals and other outlets, while enhancing the uptake of results by targeted groups;
• demonstrate the potential contribution of improved water management in irrigated and rainfed settings to economic growth, poverty reduction and food security;
• describe financial and economic aspects of proposed investments in irrigation, and investments in agriculture in rainfed areas;
• design and apply hydro-economic models in the study of economic issues in regional, national and international settings;
• contribute to policy discussions regarding economic incentives, regulatory proposals, and investments that influence farm-level and regional agricultural productivity; and
• enhance understanding of complementary investments required on farms and across the value-chain to ensure that farm households can increase their output and enhance food security in sustainable ways, in both irrigated and rainfed settings.

You must possess:

• a PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics or Natural Resource Economics;
• knowledge of the key economic questions and issues pertaining to water allocation and use in agriculture, particularly in developing countries;
• a keen desire to work in developing countries;
• the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with junior and senior scientists, reflecting a broad range of national backgrounds and technical specialties;
• notable skills in leadership, project management, team building, and interpersonal communication; and
• excellent command of both oral and written English.

You must know about:

• the concepts and methods required to undertake economic analysis with the degree of rigor required to support science-based policy recommendations, and to publish results in notable scholarly journals; and
• quantitative and qualitative methods of economic research, and the analytical tools required for conducting rigorous empirical analysis.

It would be useful if you had:

• work or educational experience in Africa or Asia, or in developing countries in other regions; and
• experience in the design and use of hydro-economic models.

This is an internationally recruited, postdoctoral position with a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a housing allowance, transport, education, shipping assistance, annual home leave and a health insurance package. IWMI’s policy is to appoint postdoctoral fellow on two-year contracts, which are generally not subject to renewal. This position will require travel to Africa and Asia.

The International Water Management Institute ( www.iwmi.org ) is a non-profit, scientific organization engaged in research and capacity building activities for developing countries. Our mission is to overcome poverty through better management of land and water resources. Working with diverse partners and supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research ( www.cgiar.org ), IWMI seeks to translate its research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers, resource managers and poor rural communities. IWMI is based in Sri Lanka and has regional offices in 12 countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

IWMI is an equal opportunity employer and is keen to further diversify its staff in terms of both gender and nationality.

Complete Application Form + attach your résumé + attach your letter which addresses IWMI’s requirements shown above with names and email addresses of 3 professional referees, to be contacted if you are short-listed

Please submit your application on-line at: www.iwmi.org/About_IWMI/Vacancies/

Review of applications from 24 January 2011

Your application will be acknowledged automatically within 24 hours. If not, please email us at work-at-iwmi@cgiar.org