Bioversity International: Senior Scientist, Nutrition & Biodiversity

Bioversity International is developing a programme of work on the use of biodiversity resources for food and nutrition. Bioversity’s research is designed to explore how biodiversity conservation and use can provide immediate local as well as global benefits to people, especially in developing countries facing a growing burden of malnutrition. Agricultural biodiversity within agroecosystems (including crop genetic diversity, neglected or orphan crops, and plants and animals in home gardens and in a range of niches including aquatic environments and forest margins) is an important a source of micronutrients and dietary diversity. Agricultural biodiversity is also crucial to counter trends towards uniform, simplified, and nutritionally poor diets.

Bioversity seeks to fill the international post of Senior Scientist in Nutrition with expertise in human nutrition to lead a global research programme investigating how agricultural biodiversity can contribute to improved nutrition and health. The incumbent would lead research that (i) provides systematic evidence of the links between agricultural biodiversity, dietary diversity and relevant health outcomes; (ii) documents the role of local foods, local food culture and traditional knowledge of plants and foods; (iii) identifies strategic options and pathways that mainstream biodiversity into cross-cutting policy and development agendas in agriculture, health, and environment.

Based at Bioversity’s office in Nairobi, Kenya and with a global mandate, the incumbent will work with partners, stakeholders at the global, national and local levels in implementing Bioversity’s strategy and research agenda in nutrition. Under the supervision of the Director of the Diversity for Livelihoods Programme, the incumbent will:
-  Provide scientific leadership on nutrition research issues pertaining to the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity, particularly in the context of developing countries.
-  Build and lead the institutional programme linking nutrition and biodiversity, taking a primary role in developing strategic partnerships and networks. Serve as the focal point for nutrition research activities conducted by Bioversity.
-  Contribute to the implementation and refinement of Bioversity’s nutrition strategy in partnership with relevant research institutes, scientific and development bodies, integrating all the relevant research results and evidence, so that biodiversity is mainstreamed into cross cutting policy and development agendas.
-  Contribute to proposal development activities to the generation of additional financial and human resources to support the research agenda of the institute.

Qualifications and competencies:
Essential qualifications & competencies:
-  Ph.D. in community, international or public health, nutrition or related field.
-  Strong statistical background and experience in rigorous design of community nutritional studies and analyses.
-  Demonstrated international research experience in an area of Nutrition at the community and/or program levels, including senior positions and in developing countries.
-  Demonstrated competency in the management of people and other resources at a senior level, preferably in an international research or academic environment.
-  A substantial and sustained record of achievement and innovation including experience with strategy development and implementation and a demonstrated publication record in relevant fields.
-  A commitment to and demonstrated track record of working within multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments.
-  Demonstrated competency in communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to motivate, catalyze and promote engagement through negotiation and consensus-building.
-  Experience with proposal development and fundraising
-  Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written.

Desirable competencies and qualifications:
-  Formal training and/or research experience in the use of biodiversity for food and nutrition, traditional and indigenous food systems, or food-based approaches to health.
-  Experience in implementing research supporting sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity including ecosystem health, ecology, plant sciences, or related economic aspects.
-  Participation in global for a and networks on the future of global and local food systems
-  Fluency in French, Spanish, or Arabic.

Terms and conditions: This is an internationally recruited position. Bioversity International offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance, housing allowance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars. The initial contract will be for a period of three years subject to a probationary period of one year.

Applications: Please apply online through the following link: Bioversity Employment Opportunities Webpage by clicking the “Apply” button. Alternatively, via e-mail to: email hidden; JavaScript is required including a letter of application, curriculum vitae in English (that includes date of birth, gender and nationality) and the names and full contact details of at least three referees (telephone, fax and e-mail address); or via mail to: Human Resources Office, Bioversity International, Via de Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese, Rome, Italy; or via Fax to (39) 06 6118 341 no later than 15 November 2009. Please quote the source of advertisement.

Bioversity is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
All received applications will be acknowledged, but only short listed applicants will be further contacted.
For further information on Bioversity International, consult its website.

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