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Research Award: Agriculture and Food Security Program
Release date：2015/6/24 Source： ccap
Research Award: Agriculture and Food Security Program
Please note that all applications must be submitted online.
Deadline; August 6, 2015.
IDRC is one of the world’s leaders in generating new knowledge to meet global challenges. We offer a number of research awards providing a unique opportunity to enhance research skills and gain a fresh perspective on crucial development issues. These one‐year, paid, in‐house programs of training and mentorship allow award holders to pursue their research goals and work in one of IDRC’s dynamic program or division teams.
The Agriculture and Food Security (AFS) program supports research that generates new options for equitable and productive agriculture to improve food and income security in developing countries. Research shows that appropriate food security interventions can improve household food security as well as the nutritional well‐being of vulnerable members of the population. The AFS program works with organizations to intensify and diversify small‐scale agriculture, improve nutritional quality, and income by developing, disseminating, and using innovations (technological, institutional, political, economic, and social) without adversely impacting societies and the environment. AFS supports research across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
AFS is looking for a Research Award Recipient to conduct research on opportunities and strategies for youth engagement in agri-food value chains for improved food security.
The research will help to develop a practical framework for identifying and documenting successful examples of youth in agri-food businesses and for connecting youth agribusinesses with private sector actors, business-oriented organisations, and government initiatives that can help them to achieve large-scale impacts. The research will pay particular attention to field-tested best practices, bottlenecks, and pathways for reaching and benefiting more youth in agri-food value chains.
The successful candidate will allocate 50% of their time towards a research project relating to the above themes under the guidance of a Senior Program Officer. They will be expected to prepare a research plan, provide progress updates during the year, and present their findings at the end of the year. The other 50% of the successful candidate’s time will include contributions to program operations, which may include synthesizing and disseminating project outcomes and results; participating in program and project development, monitoring, and evaluation; supporting program communications and research dissemination activities; and preparing internal and external reports. Applicants should clearly outline their qualifications for this position, and explain how this opportunity will advance their career goals.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
· Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or a citizen of a developing country.
· Be currently enrolled at a recognized university at the master's level or have completed a master's degree at a recognized university. These awards may be part of an academic requirement. Please note that doctoral and postdoctoral candidates, or those who have already completed a PhD or Postdoc, should not apply.
· Your proposed research must focus on a developing country where IDRC supports research. (Countries subject to approval)
Candidates should have the following qualifications:
· General interest in research on food security issues, in developing countries
· Specific interest and some experience in the economics of smallholder farming systems
· Specific interest and some experience in agribusiness and entrepreneurship
· Strong verbal and written communication skills; and
· Field experience in sub-Saharan Africa is an asset.
It is highly desirable that the candidate is enrolled in (or has recently completed) a master’s program related to one of the following areas:
· Agricultural economics, with a focus on agribusiness
· Rural sociology/Rural development with focus on farmers’ organisations
· Business administration/management with focus on entrepreneurship
Your research proposal should demonstrate the intention to explore linkages between the role of private sector organizations in scaling up research results and innovations and food security, have a clear commitment to AFS’ methodological building blocks (e.g., multistakeholder participation, transdisciplinary approaches), and recognize the dual nature of the position (applied research activity and general program support).
This position is located at IDRC’s Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is located in Nairobi, Kenya.
Access the call document and frequently asked questions (FAQs):
· Call for applications
· General FAQs
· Checklist of documents to upload
· Apply online
All additional questions should be addressed to awards@idrc.ca
