Senior Scientist, Governance for Planted Forests (Ref: 1309)

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

CIFOR is looking for a Senior Scientist, 
Governance for Planted Forests

Overview

The Senior Scientist will both facilitate and identify strategic opportunities for research with impacts on governance, relevant to planted forests, in order to fully realise their potential in contributing to contemporary sustainable development objectives.  The Senior Scientist will identify, and lead research, on policy and institutional settings within a multiscalar governance context. This context will either promote or constrain positive outcomes from planted forests, including, for example,  land and tree tenure, payments for environmental services (PES), or environmental and social safeguards.  The Senior Scientist will develop, where appropriate, international comparative research with a focus on realising policy impacts that contribute to CIFOR’s mission and the CGIAR’s goals. The Senior Scientist may co-lead CIFOR’s new research initiative in planted forests, will foster collaboration and work closely with partner organisations with complementary objectives.   The Senior Scientist will be supervised by the Director of Research in Forests and Governance, and will work closely with colleagues in all CIFOR research teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

Science

• Provide scientific guidance and ensure concepts and methods of the research carried out are appropriate and meet the highest scientific standards, reflecting up-to-date scientific methods and concepts.
• Work in close collaboration with CRP6 component coordinators/leaders within CIFOR to define and implement research activities in emerging areas of research.
• Write and supervise publications and other scientific communications related to research activities.
• Disseminate science through POLEX, blogs and other popular forums.

Capacity building

• Lead and supervise the capacity building initiatives of the projects.
• Supervise students and mentor junior scientists in the projects.

Partnership

• As requested by the Director of Research in Forests and Governance, represent CIFOR, when  appropriate, in national, regional and global forums related to planted forest governance.
• Develop and maintain constructive partnerships with all stakeholders.

Policy-science dialogue

• Lead, coordinate and/or contribute to the policy-science dialogue of relevant projects.
• Lead, coordinate and/or contribute to outcomes and impacts of relevant projects.
• Lead, coordinate and/or contribute to communication targeted at policy makers (including workshops, website and policy briefs) of relevant projects.

Fund raising

• Lead the search for additional funding for relevant projects.

Management

• Plan and monitor research activities of the relevant projects, including their financial aspects, as necessary.
• Supervise and mentor staff, when appropriate.
• Lead, coordinate and/or contribute to reporting to donors.

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

• PhD in forestry, economics or a relevant area (e.g. agricultural economics, forest economics, micro-economics, rural development and natural resource management).
• No less than seven years of relevant work experience in multiscalar governance research, including three years in a research and development institution and three years with a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in project leadership with demonstrated competence in management and leadership skills.
• Scientific track record of publication in international, peer reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and spoken English, ability in other international language is an advantage.

Personal Attributes and Competencies

• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills.
• Management and organisational skills, experience in project management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• 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

• Competitive remuneration in US dollars commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for a period of three years, including a 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 the CIFOR Headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia.

Applications process

• We will be processing applications until a suitable candidate is identified.
• We will acknowledge all applications, but we will contact only short-listed candidates.

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

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