The Organization  

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) 
delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food 
systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate 
change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform 
food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people in a 
climate crisis. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

The project context

We are looking for a visiting researcher who will contribute to the Alliance research and engagement 
work carried out in Honduras as part of the CGIAR research initiative on Sustainable Healthy Diets. 
The initiative aims to ensure sustainable healthy diets for all by stimulating the demand for these 
diets and the supply of sustainable, nutritious food, while also improving livelihoods, gender equity, 
and social inclusion in all sectors of food systems. See more here: 
https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/sustainable-healthy-diets/   One of the initiative workstreams seeks 
to identify the lock-ins and barriers that impede food system contributions to healthy diets, fair 
livelihoods, and sustainable environments; and to propose contextualized and evidence-informed 
governance and policy solutions. It also aims to raise awareness and improve capacity of national and 
subnational stakeholders to address those structural barriers, remove active resistance, and enable 
food systems to transition towards more sustainable outcomes. Some of the emerging research 
questions that are driving this research include: 
• Which are the main challenges/bottlenecks that lock in, constraint mobilization and 
transformative food system actions by different food system players? 
• What is the nature and extent of the main resistance and structural barriers to food systems 
transformation? 
• To which extent does increased awareness, knowledge, participation into global processes 
around Food System transformation play a key role in moving that agenda/action at national 
level?  

About the position

We are looking for a visiting researcher that will directly support research focused on assessing 
actions and constraints to catalyzing food system transformation post UNFSS in Honduras. The 
research includes assessment  of semi-structured interviews conducted with a wide range of 
stakeholders within the food system, with emphasis on decision makers across diverse sectors and 
organization types. The researcher will carry out qualitative analysis of interview data and play a key 
role in summarizing the findings for different audiences. Depending on availability, experience and interest, the visiting researcher may also carry out in-person and/or virtual sense-making workshops 
with stakeholders as part of the project.  

Key Responsibilities

• Support the definition of the framework for analysis of the interviews and carry out analysis of 
interview data. 
• Lead drafting of report summarizing key results including preparing graphics for data 
visualization and contribute to presentations, consultations, and publications for diverse 
audiences. 
• Find, review, and summarize academic and gray literature, data, and information from diverse 
sources on food systems and UNFSS related activities in Honduras.  

Required qualifications and experience

• Pursuing/finishing a MSc or Ph.D. degree in a related social science field (nutrition and public 
health backgrounds are welcome with relevant experience). 
• Knowledge of food systems, UNFSS related processes, strategies for promoting healthy diets, 
nutrition sensitive food environments, consumer behavior approaches or similar. 
• Experience collecting and analyzing semi-structured interview and focus group data, preferably 
in a Latin American context.  
• Able to read and analyze interview data and literature in Spanish; able to find, read and 
summarize literature in English; and able to discuss and write research results in English for 
diverse audiences. The interviews were conducted and will be analyzed in Spanish but 
discussions within the research team will be in Spanish and English; results will be shared in both 
languages.  
• Ability to travel for field work in Honduras is desirable but not required. 
• Experience with qualitative analysis software including coding a plus.

Terms of appointment  

This visiting researcher position may be based at the CIAT office in Tegucigalpa, Honduras or based at 
the researcher’s home institution. This appointment is for a visiting researcher, defined as a person 
currently pursuing an educational degree. Proof of enrollment in an educational institution will be 
requested as part of the selection process. The appointment will be for 3 to 6 months and may be 
renewed depending on performance and availability of funds. We are open to part-time or full-time 
dedication.  

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT offers a multicultural and research environment, 
where visiting researchers can develop their professional skills. The Alliance strives for gender, 
diversity, and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, 
sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.

Applications  

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, and skills (1 pg. maximum), together with a detailed curriculum 
vitae. Please also include names, emails and, if possible, phone numbers of three referees 
knowledgeable about the applicant’s qualifications. Please also specify your current affiliation with an 
educational institution (degree program, anticipated completion date) and your availability over the 
next six months to work on this, including availability (if any) to spend time in Honduras.All 
correspondence should be sent to [email protected] and should clearly indicate in subject of 
email “Visiting Researcher-Food Systems Honduras”. Applicants must also complete the following 
Google Form: https://forms.gle/n7hzSfXKwncUk1p38

Closing date for applications: June 28th, 2024, or until a suitable candidate is identified.