Regional Scientist, Forests and Livelihoods (Ref. 1277)

Forests and Livelihoods

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) advances human wellbeing, environmental conservation and equity by conducting research to inform policies and practices that affect forests in developing countries. We are one of 15 CGIAR Consortium research centres. Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, and we have offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

CIFOR is seeking a full time Regional Scientist

The Scientist will contribute to forests and climate change research activities in West Africa. The Scientist will work in the context of CGIAR Research Programme 6, Component 4 (forests and climate change), theme 2 (adaptation to climate change) and theme 3 (synergies between adaptation and mitigation). The Scientist will be involved in outreach and dissemination activities, research coordination, and will contribute to fundraising activities.

The Scientist will be supervised by the leader of research on adaptation to climate change and the Programme Director.

General duties and responsibilities

Science

• Undertake relevant research on forests, adaptation to climate change and the synergies between adaptation and mitigation (national- and local-level research, cross-regional comparative studies); and
• Write reports and publications for international peer-reviewed journals.

Partnership

• Develop and maintain relationships with regional, national and local policymakers; and
• Strengthen and manage regional partnerships.

Policy-science dialogue

• Develop and maintain a science policy dialogue; and
• Contribute to communication targeted at policy makers.

Fundraising and donor relations

• Identify and develop potential funding opportunities in the topics of CRP6.4 themes 2 and 3; and
• Develop and maintain donor relations.

Requirements

Education, experience and technical skills

• A PhD degree in a relevant field, e.g. natural resource management, forestry, environmental sciences, agricultural or forest economics, rural development
• At least five years of experience working in both Burkina and Mali and for an international research organisation
• Sound experience in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), synergies between adaptation and mitigation, and methods for assessing social vulnerability.
• Sound experience in participatory tools to analyse adaptation (exp. CRiSTAL) and several other household and rural survey methods related to forest ecosystem services
• Experience in project management and partner liaison
• Experience in proposal development and fundraising
• Proficiency in both English and French is required. Good skills in the national languages spoken in Mali or Burkina Faso desirable.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Good project management and organisational skills
• Excellent team leadership and facilitation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and positively with people in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
• Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning

Terms and conditions

• Competitive remuneration in US dollars commensurate with skills and experience
• The appointment will be for a period of two years (including one year probation) with a possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be at CIFOR’s West Africa Regional Office.

Application process

• The application deadline is 23 December 2012.
• We will acknowledge all applications; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Please send your letter of interest and CV, including contact information for three referees, to:
Human Resources Department, CIFOR 
cifor-hr-jobs@cgiar.org 
Please indicate the position title and its reference number in the email subject line.

CIFOR is an equal opportunity employer. 
Staff diversity contributes to excellence.

We are looking for people who share our mission and our commitment to professionalism, innovation, impact and collaboration.