VACANCY: Climate Change and Policy Associate Scientist

We are looking for a Climate Change and Policy Associate Scientist to be based in Yaounde, Cameroon. The selected candidate will be required to travel within the region to the country offices of the different nodes and within the ASB platform network.

The position:

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Coordinator, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

Research:

1. Carryout and contribute to research in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), Reduced Emissions from All Land Use (REALU), environmental services, sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation as they link to agroforestry
2. Lead and or Coordinate ICRAF related ASB Partnership work in the West and Central Africa Region
3. Coordinate and support development of methodologies for climate-related forest policy and other land uses
4. Analyze existing policies and potential policy reforms in terms of their impact on climate change debates at national and international levels.

5. Carrying out thematic action research at landscape scale to evaluate the impact of climate change policy instruments in achieving landscape connectivity and or in reducing deforestation and degradation

6. Publish outputs in high quality publications, including journals, extension technical notes and policy briefs.
7. Supervise graduate students in research in one or more of the above mentioned areas

Policy, Capacity Building in the area of climate change, REDD+ and environmental services:

8. Promote links to regional forestry and environmental management policies
9. Actively engage in the development of relevant policy for agroforestry development through science-policy processes
10. Contribute technical expertise in the development of REDD demonstration activities in the ASB benchmarks

Fund Raising and Project management:

11. Develop project concepts and raise resources for research activities in the West and Central Africa region.
12. Assist the Regional Coordinator in steering and managing specific projects

Requirements:

• PhD in Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology, Resources Management, Forestry, Soil Sciences or a related discipline
• Minimum 5 years experience in Forest management, monitoring and evaluation of landscape agroforestry and livelihood
• Sound experience and skills on REDD and climate change issues
• Good skills in conceptualisation, communication, writing and reporting
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and French
• Experience in the preparation of donor reports
• A good publications track record.
• Good data base development and management
• Competent in basic computer applications including statistical packages
• Good geographic information systems and good remote sensing skills
• Working experience in West and Central Africa Region is an asset
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary team and a multicultural environment
• High proficiency in French and English, both written and spoken.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a multicultural environment.
• Testimonials from three previous employers attesting the incumbent’s qualifications, performance and integrity.

Terms and Conditions

ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer offering a regional competitive salary and benefits package, and a collegial working environment. The appointment will be for an initial period of two (2) years with nine (9) months probation period, with potential for extension and renewable subject to assessment of performance and availability of funds. ICRAF offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment, believes that staff diversity promotes excellence, and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications/competencies/skills and a detailed curriculum vitae, with names and addresses of three referees (including telephone, fax numbers and email address). All correspondence should be addressed to the Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya; Tel +254 20 7224000; Fax +254 20 7224001; OR via email: icrafhru@cgiar.org. Applicants should indicate “Application for a Climate change and Policy Associate Scientist – ASB-ICRAF/WCA” on their application letters or email submissions. Applications will be considered until 31 December 2011 or until the position is filled.

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), carries out research to generate science-based knowledge about the complex role that trees play in agricultural landscapes and uses its research to ensure that policies and practices benefit the poor and the environment. Our vision is an 'agroforestry transformation' in the developing world—a massive increase in the use of trees on landscapes by smallholder rural households to ensure security in food, nutrition, income, health, shelter and energy, and a regenerated environment. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) conducts research in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The West and Central Africa (WCA) with a Regional Office in Yaounde – Cameroon covers a vast geographical area made 21 countries with a population of 330 million people and covers a surface area of about 1200 million ha. The region’s activities are carried out in the Sahel, Upper Guinea and in the Humid Tropics zones where significant potentials exist for ICRAF and partners to contribute to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition for the rural poor communities.

Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about ICRAF by accessing our web site: http://www.worldagroforestry.org