Research Officer

CIFOR is looking for a Research Officer

One of CIFOR’s strategic research subcomponents is ‘enhancing the role of forests in climate mitigation’. The Research Officer will be part of the Forests and Governance/climate team that works on the first module (component) of CIFOR’s Global Comparative Study on REDD+ (GCS-REDD+) and on a project with a particular focus on benefit-sharing mechanisms.

The specific objective of the benefit-sharing project is to provide REDD+ policymakers and practitioners with policy options and guidance to improve the design, development and implementation of REDD+ benefit-sharing mechanisms. The evidence-based policy options will be framed by experience and best practices in six focal study countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South-east Asia and Latin America, but drawing on analysis of pilot schemes and lessons learned in a larger number of countries.

The Research Officer will perform a variety of tasks, as needed and directed.

General duties and responsibilities

1. Participate in research
   • Maintain databases related to the GCS-REDD+ project
   • Maintain appropriate communications with key stakeholders and partners as requested by the direct supervisor. Stakeholders may include local and national government agencies; environmental, development, and social advocacy NGOs; private companies; and donor organisations
   • Provide and assist in literature reviews, data analysis (network and text analysis in particular), and other tasks supporting research
   • Assist with the preparation and publication of research results/reports
   • Oversee the development of a database containing the data obtained from interviews and surveys in association with the global comparative work on REDD governance
   • Participate in fieldwork as required
   • Assist in other research activities as required.
2. Provide project management assistance
   • Work with the Project Officer (Forests & Governance Programme) and other relevant staff (e.g. Project Secretary, Finance & HR staff) in the management of contracts and agreements with research partners, donors, consultants, and interns
   • Contribute to the development of project proposals
   • Work with the Senior Project Officer in monitoring technical and financial records, in close collaboration with the Finance Unit
   • Assist in reporting (minutes, translation, etc.)
   • Assist in organising workshops, training or field work as required
   • Other duties as required by the project.
3. Support cross-programme/cross-project coordination
   • Participate in activities, meetings and discussions linked to the project, CRP6.4 and Forests & Governance Programme
   • Assist as and when necessary in the annual planning and development of Medium Term Plans that are relevant to the GCS-REDD project Module 1
   • Assist in identifying ways to coordinate projects for Component (CRP) 6.4 strategy implementation
   • Other support activities, as needed.

Additional details of duties, assignments and objectives will be further discussed and laid out in the staff’s annual performance contract.

Requirements

Education, experience and technical skills

• Masters degree in political science, economics or other related discipline
• 5 – 7 years of relevant experience
• Knowledge of and experience in conducting research on climate change issues
• Familiarity with aid donor activities and processes
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong computer skills in word processing, database and other relevant office applications.

Personal attributes and competencies

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

Terms and conditions

• CIFOR offers competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for a period of 2 years with a possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position, and available resources.
• The duty station will be at CIFOR headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia.

Application process

• The application deadline is 10 September 2012.
• 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, to:
Human Resources Department, CIFOR 
cifor-hr-jobs@cgiar.org   
Please indicate the position title and its reference number in the email subject line.