Senior/Principal Scientist, Climate Change (Ref: 1253)

Forests and Environment Programme

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 research centres. Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, and we have offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

CIFOR is looking for a Senior/Principal Scientist, Climate Change

Overview

Under the leadership of the Forests and Environment Programme Director, and in close coordination with CRP6 Component Coordinators and Focal Points, the Senior/Principal Scientist will develop, facilitate and manage research projects at various sites globally. The Senior/Principal Scientist will provide scientific, conceptual, and methodological leadership to the climate change team of the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP6), complementing the leadership provided at the programme level by Programme Directors.

General duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Forests and Environment Programme Director, and relevant CRP6 Component Coordinators and Focal Points, the Senior/Principal Scientist will be responsible for the following accountabilities.

Science

• Lead the scientific activities of 3–5 projects
• Provide scientific guidance and ensure that the concepts and methods of the research carried out are appropriate and meet the highest scientific standards, reflecting up-to-date scientific methods and concepts
• Define and implement research activities in important and emerging areas of research, especially those relevant to CRP Component 4 and cross-cutting themes such as those related to gender and tenure
• Write and supervise publications and other scientific communications related to research activities
• Disseminate science through POLEX, blogs and other popular fora.

Partnership

• As directed by the Forests and Environment Programme Director, represent CIFOR as appropriate in national, regional, and global forums related to climate change and environmental services
• Develop and maintain constructive partnerships with research, impact, and knowledge-sharing partners.

Capacity building

• Lead and supervise the capacity building initiatives of the projects, especially those relevant to the projects supervised
• Supervise students and mentor junior scientists in the projects supervised.

Policy–science dialogue

Lead, coordinate and/or contribute to:

• The policy-science dialogue of relevant projects
• The outcomes and impact pathways of relevant projects
• Communications efforts targeted at policy makers (including workshops, website and policy briefs) of relevant projects
• Emphasis is expected to be on issues relevant to CRP Component 4 and cross-cutting themes such as those related to gender and tenure.

Fundraising

Lead, coordinate and/or contribute to the mobilisation of additional funding for relevant projects, especially those in CRP6 Component 4 and cross-cutting themes such as those related to gender and tenure.

Management

• Plan and monitor research activities, including their financial aspects, as necessary
• Contribute to the preparation of the CRP 6 Operational Plan and report on progress accordingly, in collaboration with the CRP6 Director, Component Coordinators, and Focal Points
• Supervise and mentor staff within the projects
• Lead and coordinate reporting to donors.

Details of duties, assignments and objectives will be further discussed and then detailed in the annual performance contract/work plan for this position.

Requirements

Education, experience and technical skills

• PhD in an appropriate discipline (e.g., forestry, forests and climate change, forest ecology, environmental sciences)
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in collaborative research
• Strong publications record, especially in peer-reviewed publications
• Track record in resource mobilisation/fundraising and in proposal development/writing
• Experience in working with multiple partners and working in developing countries
• Fluent in spoken and written English. Ability in one or more international language(s) will be an advantage.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Excellent management and organisational skills and experience in project management
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in working with multicultural and multidisciplinary research teams
• Excellent facilitation and team building capacity
• Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.

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

Terms and conditions

• This is an internationally recruited position. CIFOR offers competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment is for three 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 20 October 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.

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