COORDINATOR, CODESRIA/IUCN/UIUC RFGI PROGRAMME

CODESRIA JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

COORDINATOR, CODESRIA/IUCN/UIUC RFGI PROGRAMME

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites applications for the post of Coordinator for its Responsive Forest Governance Initiative (RFGI) which is being undertaken in collaboration with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

The objective of the RFGI research programme is to provide insights and guidance to increase representative local forest governance and responsible natural resources management in at least 10 country based landscapes in Africa, supported with handbooks for the design and improvement of accountable and responsive local forest-governance processes. RFGI is based at the CODESRIA headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. The programme will involve: collaborative development of research on local democracy in forestry; setting up and coordinating research teams in ten African countries; training and supervising of researchers; guiding young researchers through the research, analysis and writing process; overseeing the publication of working papers, synthesis reports, policy briefs; co-authoring a forest governance handbook; coordinating summer institutes on select topics; and general management of the RFGI programme; and fundraising for future research in the arena of environmental governance. It is envisaged to expand CODESRIA’s portfolio of environmental governance activities over the next three to five years. A summary of the program is attached.

Under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary of CODESRIA, the Coordinator of the RFGI programme will be responsible for the scientific, administrative and financial management of the RFGI initiative. The successful candidate will, among other things, be required to:

1. Prepare and develop the annual agenda of activities and budget for the programme;

2. Prepare funding proposals on themes related to environmental governance in Africa;

3. Manage all research activities connected to the programme;

4. Organize planning and other types of workshops of the collaborating institutions;

5. Coordinate recruitment of research teams and advisory groups;

6. Organise academic meetings and conferences, including training workshops and summer institutes;

7. Coordinate international advisory group engagement, including informing of activities, soliciting input and participation in key activities;

8. Oversee editing of the RFGI working paper series, including a peer review process;

9. Coordinate the distribution of publications emanating from the RFGI programme;

10. Promote interactions among Southern researchers and research institutions in the South with a view to enabling a qualitative and quantitative enrichment of global scholarly research in the social sciences applied

to environmental governance;

11. Create and nurture enduring networks of scholars that will cut across existing continental and linguistic barriers and;

12. Prepare biannual reports on the activities of the RFGI programme.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must:

1. Hold a PhD in rural geography, sociology, anthropology, rural political economy or a closely related social science discipline;

2. Have a strong intellectual grounding in rural environmental governance;

3. Have a working knowledge of current environmental governance policies in forestry;

4. Have experience of work in an academic research and training environment;

5. Have experience with the formulation, management, coordination and evaluation of research work;

6. Have experience in editing;

7. Be familiar with the Southern scientific community;

8. Have experience in fund-raising, resource management and the preparation of reports for donors;

9. Have published in peer-reviewed journals or books; and

10. Be fluent in either French or English and have a good working knowledge of the other language.

11. Be able to organize and implement the programme in a practical and supportive manner, recognizing the national and cultural differences that may exist

WORKING CONDITIONS

The salary and benefits offered will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications, and will be broadly comparable to those of similar posts in other international organisations. Female scholars are particularly encouraged to apply for this position, as are younger researchers with an interest in developing a career in a pan-African environment like CODESRIA. The appointment will be for the three-year duration of the RFGI Phase I. Continued employment will be predicated on funding for phase II and/or new research programs.

HOW TO APPLY

All applicants wishing to be considered for the position are required to supply the following documents:

1. A written application outlining your skills and research interests as they relate to the RFGI program (program description available at www.codesria.org);

2. A detailed CV outlining the candidate’s training and professional experience;

3. Three reference letters in support of the candidate’s application which must be sealed, marked “confidential reference” and sent under separate cover by the referee;

4. Two or three examples of the candidate’s recent publications.

CLOSING DATE

All applications must be received by 1 March 2011. Application received after this date will not be considered. The successful candidate will be expected to assume duties at CODESRIA as soon as possible but in any case not later than two months after the date of a formal offer of appointment from the Council.

The application letters and other supporting documents of candidates should be submitted in sealed envelopes (or by e-mailed) marked (or having the subject line) “Application Documents: CODESRIA/IUCN/UIUC RFGI Programme” and sent by post (or e-mail) to the following address:

The Executive Secretary,

CODESRIA,

Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop X Canal IV,

P.O. Box: 3304 CP 18524 Dakar,

SENEGAL.

Tel.: +221-33 8240374/33 8256598

Fax: +221 33 8245087

E-mail: Executive.Secretary@codesria.sn