Research Officer, Forests and Environments Programme, the Global Comparative Study on REDD+

The Center for International Forestry Research 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 centres within the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, and we have offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

CIFOR is looking for a research officer to join the Global Comparative Study on REDD+.

The research officer will be part of the Environmental Services and Sustainable Use of Forests programme, and support scientists working in climate change mitigation research.

Duties and responsibilities

• Laboratory supervision
  • Maintain the laboratory and the field and laboratory equipment, including gas refills for the gas chromatograph.
  • Purchase new equipment needed for laboratory and field research.
  • Update the inventory of laboratory and field equipment.
  • Coordinate laboratory and equipment among other researchers.
  • Manage a database of field assistant contracts.
  • Supervise the payment of monthly accommodation, laboratory and services bills.
• Field and laboratory activities
  • Manage the data from the field weather stations, including collecting monthly data and calculating monthly average air temperatures and rainfall).
  • Assist other researchers in gas sample collection, calibration and analysis with the gas chromatograph during laboratory experiments (e.g. preparing soil samples), flux results calculation and summary statistics.

Requirements

Education, experience and technical skills

• Masters degree in forestry, ecology, natural resource management or a related field
• Good knowledge of statistics
• Experience in managing a laboratory and its operation is an advantage
• Experience in coordinating researcher visits and activities at research sites is an advantage
• Excellent written and spoken English is required
• Good library and internet search skills are required
• Experience in coordinating the researchers visits and activities in the research sites in an advantage

Personal attributes and competencies

• Competent in personal organisation and priority setting, with the ability to work effectively under time pressure and to manage multiple priorities.
• Have initiative and capable of working independently as well as an effective team player.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
• Experience working with a wide and diverse network of groups and individuals.

Terms and conditions

• This is a nationally recruited position. CIFOR offers a competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
• The initial appointment will be for one year starting as soon as possible, with possible extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Jambi, Indonesia.

Application process

• The application deadline is 30 November 2011.
• We will acknowledge all applications, but we will contact only short-listed candidates.

Please send your letter of interest and CV, including contact information for three referees as soon as possible to:

Human Resources Department, CIFOR 
cifor-hr-jobs@cgiar.org 
Please indicate the position in the email subject line. 

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