Research Fellow/ReSAKSS Coordinator

Job Summary:

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS). ReSAKSS is a knowledge brokering platform supporting the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African Union (AU). It is led by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) working in collaboration with Africa based CGIAR centers that host 3 ReSAKSS nodes in East and Central Africa (International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya), West Africa (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria), and Southern Africa (International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South Africa).

This is a two-year, fixed-term, exempt, renewable appointment based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Essential Duties:

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Coordinating ReSAKSS activities at the continental level and overseeing work of the 3 ReSAKSS nodes in East and Central Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa, including:

• Managing the production and publication of the Africawide Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR) and conducting research on featured topic of the ATOR
• Leading the tracking, monitoring, and evaluation of  CAADP indicators and implementation progress
• Coordinating efforts to promote mutual accountability through agriculture joint sector reviews
• Managing technical work to appraise national agriculture and food security investment plans in Africa
• Conduct research under the strategic analysis component of ReSAKSS
• Overseeing the establishment and operationalization of country Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support (SAKSS) platforms and in particular the setting up of their analytical networks, governance structures, and eAtlas tools
• Managing ReSAKSS knowledge management products and in particular the ReSAKSS website, making sure it stays up-to-date
• Overseeing the  preparation of ReSAKSS program work plans, budgets, and donor reports
• Facilitating the preparation of the ReSAKSS Annual Conference,  including preparation of conference materials and proceedings
• Providing technical leadership and quality control over the work of ReSAKSS nodes and country SAKSS platforms

Facilitating ReSAKSS Outreach and Partnerships including:

• Representing ReSAKSS in selected meetings and forums at the Africa-wide level and regional levels
• Developing key messages  for communicating to different audiences at different levels

• Initiating and managing partnerships with leading knowledge organizations outside of IFPRI
• Coordinating collaboration with other knowledge management related projects within IFPRI

• Maintaining an active policy communications with ReSAKSS’  network of stakeholders , researchers, policy makers, and donors through periodic  meetings, workshops/conferences, policy briefs, website, newsletter/blog, and other fora

Required Qualifications:

• PhD  in Economics, Agricultural Economics, International Development, International Relations or other related field
• Five or more years of post-PhD research and outreach experience in agricultural policy issues, with internationally recognized publications.
• Experience in coordinating research and capacity building related to agricultural and food policy including  experience working with multiple partners and substantial budgets
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize results from social science research for the development community, including policy makers, policy advisers, and researchers
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to interact and communicate with diverse audiences
• Attention to detail, ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines
• Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally as necessary
• Excellent written and spoken English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in French, oral and written
• Knowledge or familiarity with CAADP and experience working in Africa
• Familiarity with knowledge management concepts
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit research-oriented papers and briefs