Director, Forests and Environment Programme

Director, Forests and Environment Programme (Ref: 1146)

The Center for International Forestry Research 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 centres within the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, and we have offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

CIFOR is looking for a visionary and dynamic Director of its
Forests and Environment Programme

CIFOR Programmes are line management units and discipline-based resource providers for the the major themes of our research. The primary accountability of programme directors is to ensure the overall scientific quality of research outputs and project proposals. The Forests and Environment Programme (ENV) considers biophysical and ecological aspects related to the conservation, sustainable use and management of forest ecosystems, populations and species. The Forests and Environment Programme encompasses a wide set of scientific disciplines including forestry, forest ecology, landscape ecology, botany, soil science and biogeography. Its role in CIFOR is to provide scientific and human resources so that research in thematic areas can achieve their expected outcomes. We use cutting-edge scientific tools, methods and approaches to ensure the scientific rigour and quality of our research outputs, which include publications, conferences and trainings.

The Director will lead research and ensure that it is optimally integrated with research on livelihoods and governance issues to advance human well-being, environmental conservation, and equity. The Director will manage a team of scientists in collaboration with the Director of the Consortium Research Programme ‘Forests, Trees and Agroforestry’ to bring together and expand existing research in CIFOR.

The ENV Director reports to the Director General and is a member of the Management Group. She or he is expected to take on centre-wide roles, such as responsibility for managing projects, key partnerships, eventsor coordinating CIFOR’s work in specific geographic areas.

Principal accountabilities

• Contribute to the overall leadership of CIFOR as a member of the Management Group.
• Lead and manage the performance of a multidisciplinary and multicultural research group (with approximately 35 staff members who are located both at headquarters and at regional and project offices), encouraging professional development and teamwork.
• Develop and implement global resource mobilization and fund-raising strategies, and be responsible for budgeting and expenditure management at programme level.
• Provide strategic direction and lead the Forests and Environment Programme and biophysical research methods to be deployed across CIFOR’s priority research components, and be responsible for assuring the quality of new research initiatives and publications.
• Contribute to the management and implementation of CGIAR’s Consortium Research Programme 6 and the activities led or coordinated by CIFOR, notably those relating to Sentinel Landscapes.
• In collaboration with component coordinators and focal points, identify and support progress along impact pathways to ensure the relevance of research to target policy arenas and practitioner communities.
• Foster collaboration with other CIFOR research programmes and domains, regional offices and partner organisations.
• Represent CIFOR in relevant international forums.

Requirements

Education, knowledge and experience

• PhD in a relevant discipline with at least 15 years of experience, including research management in an international, multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven expertise in leading collaborative research.
• Proven fund-raising record.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other international languages is preferred.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Has strong leadership skills, able to engage in strategic planning with sound analytical ability and good judgement.
• Is an astute manager, able to manage human resources and administrative matters with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact constructively with people across different cultures, disciplines, and institutions.

Terms and conditions

• This is on internationally recruited position. CIFOR offers a competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
• The initial appointment will be for 3 years starting as soon as possible, with possible extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station is Bogor, Indonesia.

Application process

• 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.