The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a motivated and analytically rigorous Associate Scientist in Agricultural Economist to contribute to the generation and application of socioeconomic evidence on the adoption, outcomes, and impacts of potato,

sweetpotato, and related agricultural innovations. The successful candidate will design and implement adoption and impact studies, apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods, and translate findings into practical recommendations for research programs, partners, and decision-makers. The position will help ensure that CIP's research investments are informed by credible evidence and contribute to measurable development outcomes.

About the position: The Associate Scientist, Agricultural Economist will be part of CIP's Urban Food Systems team and will report to the Head, Urban Food Systems, working closely with the Regional Director.

The position may be based in any region where CIP operates (LAC, AFRICA or ASIA). The role works across CIP programs, CGIAR research initiatives, and national partners to design and deliver socioeconomic research, adoption analysis, and impact assessment. Working with scientists across economics, agriculture, nutrition, gender, climate, and other disciplines, the Agricultural Economist will integrate socioeconomic analysis into research projects and programs, coordinate field research and data collection, produce high-quality scientific and policy-relevant outputs, and support partners in strengthening their capacity in impact assessment, adoption research, and the use of socioeconomic evidence.

Key responsibilities:

Socioeconomic Research and Impact Assessment (65%)

• Design and implement socioeconomic research on the adoption, outcomes and impacts of potato, sweetpotato and related agricultural innovations.

• Develop appropriate research questions, analytical frameworks, methodologies, sampling approaches, survey instruments and implementation plans for assigned studies.

• Apply established and emerging quantitative and qualitative methods in agricultural economics, impact assessment and adoption analysis, seeking senior technical guidance where required.

• Coordinate field research and data collection activities, ensuring compliance with approved protocols, research ethics, data protection requirements, timelines and budgets.

• Ensure the quality, completeness and appropriate documentation of research data, analytical methods, datasets and supporting evidence.





• Analyze primary and secondary data using appropriate econometric, statistical and mixed-method approaches and interpret the implications for research and development programs.

• Produce technically sound reports, working papers, policy briefs, presentations, datasets and peer-reviewed publications within agreed quality standards and deadlines.

• Communicate research findings through accessible products for policymakers, practitioners, partners and other non-specialist audiences.

• Monitor the implementation of assigned activities, identify delivery risks and recommend corrective action to the relevant project or program leader.

• Contribute evidence to program planning, priority-setting, monitoring, evaluation, learning and institutional reporting.

• Promote responsible research practices, open access and the appropriate documentation and sharing of research outputs.

• Maintain current knowledge of developments in agricultural economics, adoption research, impact assessment and relevant analytical methods.

• Perform other related duties consistent with the purpose and level of the position.

Engagement (30%)

• Work with scientists across economics, agriculture, nutrition, gender, climate and other disciplines to integrate socioeconomic analysis into research projects and programs.

• Coordinate assigned adoption and impact assessment activities with CIP programs, CGIAR research teams, country offices and external partners.

• Engage national agricultural research organizations, universities, government agencies, development organizations and other partners in study design, data collection, analysis and dissemination.

• Provide technical guidance to research assistants, consultants, enumerators, students and partner researchers contributing to assigned studies.

• Support partner capacity-building in impact assessment, adoption research, data quality and the use of socioeconomic evidence.

• Contribute technical content to concept notes, funding proposals, budgets and workplans in collaboration with program leaders, scientists, resource mobilization colleagues and partners.





• Present and discuss research findings with technical and non-technical stakeholders, highlighting their implications for programs, policies and investment decisions.

• Participate in relevant internal and external technical networks, communities of practice and institutional knowledge-sharing activities.

Safeguarding and Ethics (5%)

• Conduct all activities in accordance with CIP and CGIAR policies on research ethics, safeguarding, data protection, open access, conflicts of interest, health and safety, and responsible conduct of research.

• Comply with applicable national and international laws, regulations and standards.

Requirements

What are we looking for?

Expertise and Specialization:

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics or a related field. A Ph.D. in Agribusiness is desirable.

• At least 5 years of experience in similar positions.

• Strong professional experience with an interdisciplinary background and capacity in the application of quantitative methods for impact assessment.

• Proven experience working with methods and approaches to measure and estimate the adoption of agricultural technologies and its determinants.

• Proven experience in approaches, methods, and tools to carry out economic impact assessment in an agricultural development context.

• Experience in database management and analysis using appropriate econometric techniques.

• Strong working experience in methods and tools for value chain analysis, including gender-differentiated impacts.

• Experience in experimental design, agronomy, and field experimentation; excellent computer literacy and data management skills.

• Experience in program and project management.

• Relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

• Strong communication and networking skills, with interest and demonstrated ability to work in interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and multi-cultural teams.

Leadership competencies:

• Empowering & Coaching

• Navigating & Driving change

• Wellbeing & Inclusion

• Vision & Strategic Thinking

Languages:

• Advanced written and oral communication skills in English.

• Fluency in the official language of the country of assignment is desirable.

Benefits

What are we offering? • Great career opportunity in an international organization.

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.

• 3-year term contract with the possibility of renewal.

• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

📌 Associate Scientist, Agricultural Economist-46) (La Molina)
🏢 International Potato Center - CGIAR
📍 La Molina