The Researcher - Political Economy of Food, Land and Water Policies will conduct political economic analysis of interventions and policy reforms related to food, land, and water systems. The Researcher will employ qualitative and quantitative analyses of institutions, laws, power relations, and political behavior to understand how policy processes influence development effectiveness and socio-economic outcomes. The researcher will undertake high-quality research in policy design, policy reform, and assessment and formulate strategies to stimulate the catalyzing role of water in development pathways.
Most of this research will take an empirical focus to support clear messages that speak to policymakers, development funders, and other key stakeholders in civil society. Research findings will lead to the improved design of programs and investments for scaling up and their replication in diverse settings.
The position will provide the opportunity to build a research portfolio based on the examination of primary and secondary data, and the application of political economy methodologies in developing regions of Asia and Africa.
The position holder will be based at IWMI's office in Lao or one of its offices in Asia, Africa or Middle East.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support the design of relevant policy coherence frameworks and institutional analysis tools to examine diverse water, land, and food policy landscapes. Contribute to their application in analyzing water, land, and food policy coherence and institutional landscapes in India, Laos, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria.
- Conduct political economy analysis of specific water, land, and food policies (in some of the six countries mentioned above) using qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Conduct cross-country analyses based on a survey of policymakers and key stakeholders to understand the data and research resources gaps and needs for policy-making decisions.
- Contribute to capacity building and training of research team members, initiative partners, students, fellows and interns in the use of policy and institutional analysis tools.
- Work collaboratively with research teams to enhance political economy analysis in interdisciplinary research projects involving social scientists, hydrologists, agricultural water management researchers, and environmental scientists across IWMI’s offices in Africa and Asia.
- Communicate research results for scaling and uptake of policies and interventions to diverse audiences such as policymakers, funders, civil society, and the research community through peer-reviewed articles, research reports, and other scientific and communication deliverables (e.g., policy guidelines and policy briefs).
- Develop and lead research projects related to political economy, including impact assessment of policies and programs and macroeconomic analysis to support the transformation of food, land, and water systems
- Initiate, develop and maintain collaboration with research partners, governments, and development investors in Africa and Asia.
- Fulfil project management duties by working with colleagues in the partnerships and knowledge management group, human resources, finance, and project management office
Requirements
Qualifications:
ESSENTIAL
Ph.D. in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Public Policy, Public Finance, Political science, or closely related social science specializing in political economy.
Experience amp; Knowledge:
ESSENTIAL
- At least three years of postdoctoral research experience;
- Sustained and consistent excellent publications record in international peer-reviewed journals
- Expertise and experience in designing and conducting political economy research, including research design, data collection, data analysis, quality assurance, hypothesis testing, publication, and communication of results.
- Expertise in some economic approaches (CGE, causal inference, impact Evaluation, time series).
- Good understanding of economic theory and principles and ability to apply such knowledge to water, land, and ecosystems management issues related to food security and climate change.
- Demonstrated experience in effective interactions and stakeholder engagement in multicultural settings with other researchers and with policymakers, donors, and civil society, facilitating impact of research and capacity strengthening
- Experience in living, working, and traveling in developing countries.
DESIRABLE
- Work experience and a good understanding of water, land, and food policies in some of these countries: India, Laos, Colom