About the Role
We seek a highly skilled and motivated individual to join us as a full-time Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow. The position will entail close collaboration and assistance to Karen Macours, Paris School of Economics and Chair of SPIA, the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment of CGIAR. This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal for a second year, starting in the Summer or early Fall of 2022. The position involves responsibilities that serve as excellent preparation for Ph.D. programs in economics, including data processing and analysis, survey design, literature reviews, and presentations.
Background
The Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) is an external, impartial panel of experts responsible for providing rigorous, evidence-based, and independent strategic advice to the CGIAR System on efficient and effective impact assessment methods and practices, and on innovative ways to improve knowledge and capacity on how research contributes to development outcomes. SPIA has a mandate to expand and deepen evidence of impact of CGIAR research investments. CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security and improving natural resources.
Key Responsibilities
The tasks to be carried out by the Research Fellow are to be focused on the following activities:
Provide scientific and technical analysis in support of the planning, implementation and monitoring of the SPIA workplan;
Provide general research support to Prof. Macours, including data collection and analysis; preparation of presentation materials; support with manuscript preparation etc.;
Conduct literature reviews and other background analysis to support design of calls for expressions of interest/proposals;
Read and critique completed impact studies and impact study designs, as part of support to development of CGIAR impact assessment guidance document;
Draft /co-authoring blog posts or other commentaries related to impact assessments;
Engage with the broader SPIA team;
Interact with the CGIAR Impact Assessment Community of Practice.The position will be based in Paris, and the successful candidate will be able to participate in academic life at the Paris School of Economics, including the ability to attend a wide variety of research seminars. The Research Fellow will work close with SPIA academic panel members, researchers from SPIA’s national data systems team, and the CGIAR Advisory Services Shared Secretariat.
The position may also involve travel and fieldwork in support of SPIA-funded projects in the field and/or for the design & scoping of impact assessment opportunities, including in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (conditions permitting). The person hired in this position will also be invited to take part in face-to-face meetings of SPIA. Attendance at these meetings might involve international travel. Travel would be paid for by SPIA.
Qualifications and competencies
At least 1 year of graduate course work (Master or PhD) in economics or a closely related field completed.
Excellent written English.
An interest in agriculture, natural resources and food, water and land systems in developing countries.
Strong quantitative skills, including experience with data analysis and econometrics.
Knowledge of impact assessment.
Procedures and next steps
Applicants should submit a CV, a cover letter, and a writing sample (preferably a paper showing some original analytic work or literature review) to Ira Vater (spia@cgiar.org) and Karen Macours (karen.macours@psemail.eu). The cover letter should provide some indication of interests in (and knowledge of) agricultural/environmental questions and/or impact assessment.
Review of applications will start on July 18, 2022 and until the position is filled (no later than August 30 2022). Only shortlisted individuals will be contacted.