M26196 Research Associate in Corporate Sustainability (Locally Recruited)

CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.  For more information, visit https://www.cimmyt.org/es/

Cimmyt is looking for a Research Associate who can lead the research and analysis agenda on Corporate Sustainability, Responsible Sourcing, and Regenerative Agriculture, contributing to CIMMYT’s positioning as the leading technical partner for the global agri-food industry. The position serves as a critical bridge between research and implementation and seeks to design, pilot, and scale strategies and tools for regenerative agriculture, decarbonization, and responsible sourcing. The incumbent will be responsible for aligning international reporting frameworks with operational supply models, generating the scientific evidence and scalability mechanisms necessary for CIMMYT to help companies meet their corporate sustainability goals across the various geographic regions of operation.

Key Responsibilities and Activities

Standardization and Harmonization of Sustainability Frameworks

• Analyze international frameworks (GRI, SAI Platform, ISSB/CDSB), national regulatory frameworks, and global corporate priorities to consolidate a system of key performance indicators (KPIs) that integrate metrics on soil health, water efficiency, carbon intensity, productivity, market access, community development, and gender equity.
• Collaborate in the design and implementation of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) protocols (scalable MRV systems), ensuring the development of replicable methodologies and resources that enable the model to be scaled up to various partners in the agro-industrial sector.
• Design and propose innovative business models and monetization schemes linked to regenerative agriculture (Business Modeling and Monetization of Ecosystem Services for farmers, rural businesses, aggregators, and leading agri-food companies), with the aim of diversifying funding sources and strengthening CIMMYT INC.’s strategy.
• Develop mechanisms to implement strategies that improve engagement within Mexico’s responsible supply ecosystem and that incorporate incentives related to traceability, natural capital assessment, carbon markets, digital traceability, data wallets, and agricultural contracts linked to sustainability performance.
• Propose and develop impact assessment frameworks based on standardized metrics to accurately quantify the social and environmental returns of CIMMYT’s interventions with the private sector (Impact Assessment and Standardized Metrics).
• Systematize lessons learned and produce high-quality technical documents (methodological guides, white papers, scientific articles) that document the impacts of responsible sourcing and regenerative agriculture initiatives, adaptable to various contexts in North America and the Global South.
• Develop high-quality technical briefs and investment proposals for fundraising and identifying joint projects with the private sector in the areas of responsible sourcing and regenerative agriculture.
• Identify and manage collaboration opportunities with key stakeholders in the decarbonization, water neutrality, and biodiversity agendas to expand the institution’s portfolio of strategic projects.
• Provide specialized technical assistance and training programs for supplier companies to mitigate sustainability risks and close operational gaps in the supply chain.
• Lead the preparation of performance reports and technical documents for executive committees and decision-makers in the agri-food sector.

Requirements

Education: Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Sustainability, Agribusiness, Environmental Sciences, or related fields. A Ph.D. in business administration is desirable.

• Experience (at least 4 years): Previous experience in strategic consulting, value chain analysis, or sustainability project management with multinational companies.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in statistical/econometric software (R, Stata), in-depth knowledge of ESG reporting standards, and technical fluency in English and Spanish.

Benefits

CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package and support for continuous professional development. In addition to the provisions of the Mexican Labor Law our package of benefits includes year-end bonus (40 days), vacation premium (56%), life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, savings fund, social Mexican benefits (IMSS, SAR / Infonavit).

Candidates must apply here

Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Foreign national candidates must have legal documents to work in Mexico.

This position will remain open until filled.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.