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Post Doctoral Fellow Community-Based Natural Resource Management The WorldFish Center

The WorldFish Center is an international, non-profit research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. WorldFish is one of 15 members of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for sustainable development with the funders of this work. The funders include developing and industrialized country governments, foundations, and international and regional organizations.
The WorldFish Center is committed to meeting two key development challenges: 1) improving the livelihoods of those who are especially poor and vulnerable in places where fisheries and aquaculture can make a difference and 2) achieving large scale, environmentally sustainable, increases in supply and access to fish at affordable prices for poor consumers in developing countries.
A unique opportunity has arisen for gifted individuals to contribute to the mission of the Center.
POST DOCTORAL FELLOW COMMUNITY-BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The WorldFish Center seeks a Post doctoral Fellow to design and conduct research on integrated coastal management and fisheries governance in the Western Region of Ghana as part of the USAID funded HεN MPOANO (Our Coast) Initiative. Working with local, national and international partners the Initiative is focused on addressing coastal and fisheries governance issues in Ghana’s Western Region. Following a substantive period of diagnosis and background research, the Initiative is now moving to a stage of community-level piloting. The post-doctoral fellow will work in selected coastal communities to design and monitor the implementation of pilots that incorporate concepts of livelihood resilience and ecosystem-based participatory fisheries governance. A particular focus will be research into effective ways of supporting or building local institutions that facilitate participation in governance processes and foster legitimacy in rule-making. The Fellow will also be involved in strengthening the capacity of national researchers in conducting research.
You will have a PhD preferably in a field related to social or environmental sciences, such as human geography, development studies and natural resource management. You will have proven capabilities in participatory and community based research, as well as good knowledge of principals of natural resource management. Experience working in developing countries would be a distinct advantage. Employed by WorldFish, you will work in partnership with a national project office and have the direct support of a Ghanaian coastal fisheries adviser and a local graduate research assistant. The position requires that you live in a rural community in Ghana for the duration of the project (home leave applicable). The position is for 18 months, and is potentially renewable if additional funding is identified.
Key Responsibilities
· Work with partners and communities in western Ghana to design and monitor the implementation of pilots that incorporate concepts of livelihood resilience and ecosystem-based participatory fisheries governance;
· Conceptualise research questions around action-research components of the program, collect and analyse data;
· With team members, publish results of research in peer-reviewed scientific journals, policy briefs, newsletters and other popular media as requested;
· Supervise and mentor project staff and increase the quality of group’s outputs;
· Participate in capacity building actions for local and national fisheries staff and other key stakeholders; and
· Prepare scientific reports for donors and WorldFish Center as required.
Skills and Abilities
  • Strong theoretical and practical grounding in principals of participatory social research;
  • Theoretical and practical knowledge of community-based resource management in a developing country context would be a distinct advantage;
  • Qualitative and quantitative research skills with a history of research publication;
  • Proven ability to set and achieve targets independently and regulate workflow;
  • Proven ability to engage in discussions with managers and policy makers;
  • Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams;
  • Strong interpersonal, communication and coaching skills;
  • Proficient in English language both in writing and verbal; and
  • Willingness to live in ‘basic’ condition in a rural community.
Qualifications and Experience
  • PhD in social research (with community experience in developing countries), or natural resource management (with developing country experience and a proven record in social research); and
  • Demonstrated records of working in developing countries with limited resources would be a distinct advantage.
The WorldFish Center offers a competitive remuneration package, a non-discriminatory policy and provides an innovative work environment. Interested applicants are invited to submit a covering letter explaining how your experience, skills and qualifications enable them to meet the responsibilities of the position providing key examples and/or achievements and a comprehensive curriculum vitae that includes names and contacts (telephone, fax, and e-mail addresses) of three (3) professional referees who are familiar with the candidate's qualifications and work experience. You are required to submit your application, with letter or email subject line “Application for the position of Post Doctoral Fellow – Ghana” and indicate in your application the source of this advertisement (where you saw the job announcement) to the Human Resources Strategy and Services Unit at worldfish-hr@cgiar.org. Screening of applications will begin 10 December 2011 This is a global regular full-time position based in Sekondi, Ghana. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.. Position will remain open until filled.
WorldFish is committed to an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.