International Institute for Environment and Development
Job Description
Sustainable Markets Group and Human Settlements Group
Job title:
Researcher: Research and Outreach -- Consumption,
Urbanisation and Food Systems
Responsible to: Leader of IIED’s ‘Change Initiative’ on Consumption, Urbanisation
and Food Systems
Main contacts: Internal: Sustainable Markets Group, Human Settlements Group,
Communications, Food & Agriculture Forum, and other colleagues
within IIED.
External: Network of in-country research partners, NGOs and
CBOs, journalists, policymakers, consultants and advisors, IFAD,
Hivos, FAO.
Main purpose: To contribute to the successful implementation and impact of IIED
and partners’ work on Consumption, Urbanisation and Food
Systems
Contract:
Full time 35 hours per week, fixed term to September 2015 with
possibility of extension, subject to funding
Salary:
Grade 4 £33,654 - £41,812 plus benefits depending on experience.
For exceptional candidates, a Grade 3 post will be considered: up to
£46,169 per annum plus benefits.
Location:
Central London, UK
Background to the post
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is a policy research
organisation that provides expertise and leadership in researching and achieving
sustainable development at local, national, regional and global levels. In alliance with
others, we are helping to tackle the biggest issues of our times - from climate change
and cities to the pressures on natural resources and the forces shaping global markets.
With 116 members of staff working with associates and partners around the world,
IIED has been at the forefront of policy-making in sustainable development for over 40
years.
In our new strategy (2014-2019) IIED has identified four ‘Change Initiatives’ where,
in partnership with others, we are focusing our resources and existing knowledge onto
defined policy targets. Those targets may range from a dominant global narrative to a
specific policy in one country.
Urbanisation (in both its demographic and economic dimensions) drives profound
transformations in food systems via consumption patterns, with major consequences
for food production, processing and trade. These transformations present both
challenges and opportunities for poverty reduction, rural development, food security
and health. IIED sees an urgent need to look beyond the traditional dichotomy of
rural producers and urban consumers, and to ground policy in a more accurate
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understanding of the challenges faced by both rural and urban low-income
consumers. We also need a clearer picture of the dynamics of rural-urban transitions;
in an urbanising world, demand from towns and cities will become an increasingly
important driver of rural transformations. Urban and, increasingly, rural food security
relies on global food chains and processed foods to consumers. Furthermore, these
transitions will continue to feature a strong role for informal markets, in contrast to
expectations of modernisation and a ‘supermarket revolution’, with street vendors
and informal traders playing a major but typically neglected role in providing access
to affordable food for low-income groups. The impacts of climate change will further
affect food security for the urban and rural poor, through increased exposure to local
environmental hazards that negatively impact consumption and nutrition, and through
higher prices.
Building on our long-term partnerships with researchers, practitioners and grassroots
organisations in both urban and rural contexts, this ambitious Change Initiative
provides a unique opportunity for the co-production and sharing of knowledge and
advocacy in the area of food security, consumption and urbanisation. It brings together
DFID-funded work on urban food security, a new partnership with IFAD on ‘RuralUrban Transformations and Food Systems’, and a ‘Change Lab’ in collaboration with
Hivos.
The Initiative will support change on two interrelated levels:
1.
2.
In global narratives, to identify triggers of systemic positive change
On the ground, to help build food systems that provide access to safe,
nutritious, affordable and sustainable food to low-income and vulnerable
groups
To achieve these goals, the Change Initiative has a strong emphasis on networking
and outreach, by:




Convening a network of researchers and practitioners. Creating spaces for
debate, innovation and practical engagement to challenge assumptions, based
on evidence and explicitly addressing issues of power and inequality.
Production (in partnership with the network) of knowledge products and
communications using different media that capture the evolution of food
systems of the poor -- its drivers and key policies, and document innovative
experiences.
Working with a number of partner organisations that are in the thick of these
urban and rural transformations, to amplify their voices and support them
organisations to improve food security for the poor through action research,
capacity building and advocacy.
Contributing to national and global policy debates — on the evolution of the
post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals,
sustainable urbanisation, preparations for Habitat III, and wider discussions on
global food security and climate change.
IIED is therefore recruiting for a mix of research and outreach skills to support the
Change Initiative, and our related work on small-scale and informal enterprise and
rural-urban linkages.
Partner organisations
In the Change Initiative, IIED is currently working with three key partners: DFID,
Hivos and IFAD.
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DFID is the UK Department for International Development which, through its
Accountable Grant to IIED, supports our work on urban food security in the context of
urbanization and growing income and non-income urban poverty, including inadequate
access to basic infrastructure and exposure to high levels of environmental hazards in
low-income informal settlements of many cities of the Global South.
Hivos is a Dutch development organisation that works alongside local civil society
organisations in developing countries to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world.
February 2014, IIED and Hivos signed a MOU outlining a strategic partnership. At the
core of the partnership are two Change Labs (on Food and on Energy). The Change
Labs will create space for innovation and for the exploration of complexities that are
critical but not yet fully understood.
IFAD, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, is a specialized agency of
the United Nations. IFAD has a focus on rural poverty reduction, but recognizes rapid
urbanization as driving profound changes in developing countries, including rural
areas, and has highlighted urban-rural linkages, synergies and complementarities as
of strategic importance.
The donor/partner platform around the work is likely to expand over the life of the
Change Initiative.
Key responsibilities
Working with the leaders of IIED’s Change Initiative, the postholder will play a central
role in supporting the implementation of the Initiative and associated work in the
Sustainable Markets Group and Human Settlements Group. The role is an exciting
combination of research, outreach and impact.
1.
Research and intellectual leadership (25-30%)
 Contribute to preparation of products that integrate knowledge of and
enhance existing intellectual understanding of food systems. This will be
from a perspective of urbanization and rural transformation, with a starting
point of consumption by the urban and rural poor (and including the role of
Informal markets). These outputs will adapt and apply appropriate
conceptual and theoretical frameworks, and be prepared in collaboration with
IIED staff, network partners and (where appropriate) consultants.
 Support network members and grass roots organisations with innovative
action research, social innovation and advocacy approaches (including
informal food distribution sector) -- mapping their food systems, defending
and improving food accessibility, nutrition, safety and reducing environmental
hazards.
2.
Communications, outreach and influence (25-30%)
• Harness research outcomes and evidence to build compelling narratives
and influence planning and decision-making by policy makers and
practitioners
• Together with IIED’s Communications group and others, support the
dissemination of these outputs to engage and influence stakeholders for
impact, using different media.
3.
Liaison and networking (25-30%)
 Support the Change Initiative leaders in the establishment and maintenance
of an global peer-to-peer open network of researchers and practitioners
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
4.
around the topic of food systems, consumption, urbanization and rural
transformation
Ensure close linkages with other related initiatives, aiming at synergy and
alliance building.
Coordination and management (10-20%)
 In close collaboration with IIED administration staff, DFID, Hivos, IFAD and
the network members, ensure the effective management of the Change
Initiative, including quality management, reporting, website content, and
monitoring and evaluation. Support internal communication within IIED.
 Deal with partners and subcontractors as necessary.
 Support fundraising for the Change Initiative, through preparation of funding
proposals with support from the organisation and senior colleagues
Contribute to delivery of IIED’s institutional strategy and strategic plan
 Participate in group, cross-cutting and institute activities and processes as
required.
The job description defines the level of responsibility and area(s) of involvement of
the post; the details of the duties may change over time and do not form part of the
contract between IIED and the post holder.
Person specification
Essential requirements
 A postgraduate degree in a discipline related to environment and
development.
 Good knowledge of food systems, urbanization and urban poverty
 Relevant work experience that spans research (with associated publication
record), advocacy and communication, working with partners in different
geographical and cultural contexts in developing countries.
 Experience with different research methodologies and demonstrated capacity
to co-generate and integrate knowledge, and draw out policy relevant findings
 Experience in creative approaches to communicate to diverse audiences with
a range of media, including web, blogs, video and social media, to tailor
messages for different audiences
 Fluent oral and written English and proven ability to convey complex
messages in a clear, concise and effective manner, both orally and in writing,
to a variety of audiences
 Ability to work collaboratively, seeking involvement by others to deliver quality
work and taking responsibility for team delivery where appropriate
 Interpersonal skills developed through interacting with a variety of people
from different backgrounds and cultures
 Organisational skills and ability to manage own workload, thinking ahead over
a period of months to anticipate issues and opportunities and delivering to
tight deadlines
 Ability to manage multiple work streams simultaneously, whilst prioritising
according to deadlines, without close supervision
 Proven ability to raise funds
 Willingness to travel – predominantly overseas - according to project
commitments
Desirable
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



Knowledge of and interest in innovation processes for co-learning and social
innovation
Experience of working with citizen/civil society groups, preferably in an urban
setting
Good knowledge of rural development and rural-urban linkages
Good working knowledge of a second language of wide relevance to IIED’s
work, such as French, Spanish or another major international language
Behavioural Competencies
Competency
Communicating with
impact
Delivering excellence
Developing others
Empathy
Level
3/2
Flexible thinking
3/2
Information seeking
Initiative
3/2
3/2
Integrity and commitment
3/2
Leading others
Understanding contexts
3
3/2
Working collaboratively
3/2
2
3
3/2
Short description
Prepare and use a logical approach
Calculate impacts of actions or words
Improve performance
Provide practical support
Recognise and understand emotions
Consider reasons for behaviour
Adapt own thinking
Understand complexities and tailor responses
Investigate and dig deeper
Act rapidly
Look ahead
Act consistently with values
Ditto when difficult to do so
Create the right team conditions
Understand formal and informal structures
Understand climate and culture
Positive attitude towards collaboration
Seek others’ involvement
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