The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking an innovative amp; multi skilled candidate to join as a Regional Researcher Land, Water amp; Soil Solutions. This position will be based in Harare, Zimbabwe, and hosted by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
The successful candidate will Lead, plan, and execute research projects and related activities focusing on issues that require appropriate academic grounding, knowledge, and professional expertise in research methodologies for land, water, and soil solutions.
The incumbent will contribute to IWMI’s ongoing and prospective projects, with a special focus on land, water, and soil solutions, as well as agroecology. This includes addressing technical, institutional, social, and financial aspects. Additionally, the researcher will perform capacity-building activities aimed at enhancing water, land, and soil management interventions. These efforts will help inform policy-making and practices, ultimately strengthening IWMI’s mission and role.
DUTIES amp; RESPONSIBILITIES:
Core Areas
- Lead, plan, and manage a portfolio of research projects that require technical and institutional scientific input, both independently and collaboratively.
- Conceptualize, operationalize, and implement research and related activities and interventions using a range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
- Establish close collaborations with research institutes and organizations specializing in water, land, and soil management within the region. Engage with them in preparing research-for-development project plans and ensure the timely monitoring and execution of project activities to achieve expected results and outcomes.
- Coordinate and provide guidance to field personnel to ensure the proper execution of activities in a scientifically appropriate manner.
- Proactively contribute to IWMI’s fundraising efforts related to the country by identifying relevant initiatives, maintaining a network of donors, supporting proposal/concept note development, and providing strong intellectual inputs.
- Design, plan, lead, and coordinate impact assessment analyses for IWMI-led projects in the region in consultation with appropriate research group leaders.
- Build and strengthen existing partnerships with IWMI collaborators, and establish new partnerships with local, national, and international organizations within the region.
- Provide guidance and support to junior research staff and graduate students to enhance regional research capacity.
- Contribute to general management tasks important for IWMI South African office functioning and success.
Outreach
- Integrate research outputs into effective policy recommendations and disseminate information through appropriate mediums, including workshops, guidelines, and policy briefs.
- Facilitate and support the adoption of practical, science-based policy solutions and decisions by national and international partners, authorities, governments, and donors.
- Publish research papers in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports as a lead author, based on project findings, and provide key policy recommendations for decision-makers.
- Utilize multimedia and social media for outreach to the general public.
- Participate in local, national, and global events related to the field of study.
- Collaborate with IWMI’s information and knowledge group to communicate newly developed knowledge effectively.
Requirements
MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS amp; EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- A PhD and 2 years of postdoctoral work experience in the field of water resources management, agroecology, or a related discipline, or a Masters with 10 years’ experience and deliverables.
- Experience in designing and implementing participatory action research techniques in the living lab context, ensuring farmer/community participation in all research aspects, including designing research questions, creating survey tools, collecting data, analyzing results, and applying co-created solutions.
- Exposure in interdisciplinary research and collaboration within the region.
- Hands on experience working in data-scarce environments and the ability to thrive in such conditions.
- Proven track record of producing high-quality reports, including peer-reviewed articles in international journals.
- Proficiency in conducting fieldwork, participatory GIS mapping in the living lab context, and developing land use management plans.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS amp; ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Effective leadership, and analytical skills, along with the ability to form, lead, and work effectively in teams.