Principal Investigator, EMSRIE, Remote
Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Project Summary:
The Evidence Mapping, Systematic Review, and Impact Evaluation (EMSRIE) activity supports the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS) and buy-in clients across the agency with systematic reviews, evidence gap maps, and impact evaluations (IEs). USAID engaged Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech company, to implement EMSRIE in partnership with a major subcontractor the International Initiative for Impact Evaluations (3ie). The contract’s five-year period of performance is from September 14, 2023, to September 13, 2028.
**Please note: U.S. work authorization is required for this position.**
Position Summary:
The Principal Investigator (PI) for this project will lead a comprehensive literature review aimed at synthesizing evidence on the probabilities of multiple breadbasket failures and their connection to climate variance. This role requires an expert in agricultural and climate sciences with a strong background in data analysis and evidence synthesis. The PI will be responsible for designing the research framework, systematically reviewing and analyzing existing literature, and identifying key patterns and gaps in current knowledge. Additionally, the PI will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, ensuring the integration of diverse perspectives and methodologies. It is anticipated that this study will approximately run from 10/24-2/24.
Responsibilities:
- Work with USAID to develop clear and impactful research questions and hypotheses related to global breadbasket failure and climate change that are feasibly answered with actionable evidence using the resources for the study.
- Design robust research methodologies to address the research questions effectively.
- Oversee the collection, management, and analysis of data, ensuring scientific rigor and accuracy.
- Ensure the study adheres to established timelines and deliverables, maintaining progress towards the research objectives.
- Ensure the research complies with all relevant ethical guidelines, regulations, and institutional policies, including those related to human and animal subjects if applicable.
- Coordinate with stakeholders, within and outside USAID, to enhance the research's scope and impact.
- Prepare and submit progress reports and final deliverables to MSI and as required.
- Communicate research findings through publications, presentations, and other platforms to advance scientific knowledge and inform policy and practice.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as sustainable agriculture, food systems, agricultural engineering, environmental sciences, etc., is required.
- Minimum 12 years of experience required.
- Experience with crop production, particularly in key grains like rice, wheat, corn, and soy is preferred.
- Understanding of climate change dynamics and their impacts on agriculture, including knowledge of global weather patterns and climate modeling is required.
- Proficiency in analyzing large datasets and using statistical tools to interpret climate and agricultural data is required.
- Ability to assess environmental changes, such as temperature shifts and precipitation variability, and their effects on breadbasket production is required.
- Ability to develop and use systems dynamics models, agent-based models, and hybrid models to predict and assess the impacts of climate change on food systems is preferred.
- Strong skills in planning, executing, and managing research project to include leading a team, fostering collaboration among scientists, policy experts, and stakeholders is required.
- Strong skills in communicating complex scientific findings to diverse audiences, including policymakers, the public, and the scientific community is preferred.
- Fluency in written and verbal English is required.
At MSI Tetra Tech, health and safety play a vital role in our success. MSI Tetra Tech’s employees work together to comply with all applicable health & safety practices and protocols, including health orders and regulations related to COVID-19 that are mandated by local, state and federal authorities.
MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.
We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.
MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.
Pay Transparency Statement:
We are committed to taking a thoughtful, compliant, and equitable approach to employment compensation. We commit to providing a holistic comprehensive salary analysis, including reviews of individual skill sets and compensable factors related to qualifications, business needs, internal compensation data, and industry and labor market surveys. The anticipated daily pay rate for this position is $650 USD.
Reasonable Accommodations:
MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.