CIFOR Research Fellow, Forests and Adaptation to Climate Change

(Ref: 1233)

Forests and Environment Programme

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 seeking a Research Fellow, Forests and Adaptation to Climate Change

The Research Fellow will undertake research on forests, adaptation to climate change, and the synergies between adaptation and mitigation (national- and local-level research, cross-regional comparative studies). The position also involves outreach and dissemination activities, research coordination, and contributions to fundraising activities.

The Research Fellow will work in the context of CGIAR Research Programme 6, Component 4 (forests and climate change), theme 2 (adaptation to climate change) and theme 3 (synergies between adaptation and mitigation). He or she will be supervised by the leader of the research on adaptation to climate change at CIFOR.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake field and desk research related to ecosystem-based adaptation, its effectiveness and its co-benefits
• Undertake field and desk research on social returns on investment from integrating adaptation into mitigation projects
• Identify and develop potential funding opportunities in the topics of CRP6.4 themes 2 and 3
• Contribute to developing operational plans, monitoring outputs and outcomes, and reporting for CRP6.4 themes 2 and 3
• Contribute to the development of a wider research strategy related to forests and the synergies between adaptation and mitigation
• Strengthen and manage international partnerships
• Write reports and publications for international peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute to communication activities (blogs, website, briefs, science-policy dialogue, event organisation)
• Represent CIFOR at climate change related events (conferences and workshops).

Details of duties, assignments and objectives will be further discussed and laid out in the annual performance contract.

Requirements

Education, Experience and Technical Skills

• Masters of Science in a relevant field (e.g. natural resource management, forestry, environmental sciences, agricultural or forest economics, rural development)
• At least two years of relevant work experience, including research in multidisciplinary teams
• Good qualitative and quantitative research skills
• Good knowledge of ecosystem-based adaptation and related publications in international peer-reviewed journals
• Good knowledge of the synergies between adaptation and mitigation
• Good knowledge of methods for assessing social returns on investment from integrating adaptation into mitigation projects
• Integration into networks of research collaborators
• Excellent written and spoken English. Good skills in one of the following languages: Spanish, French or Indonesian.

Personal Attributes and Competencies

• Good project management and organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment
• Proven team-building capacity
• Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning, and is committed to staff development.

Terms and Conditions

• This is an internationally recruited position. CIFOR offers a competitive remuneration in US dollars commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for 3 years, including a standard one-year probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of this position and available resources.
• The duty station will be at CIFOR headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia, with travel to research sites.

Application process

• The application deadline is 15 July 2012.
• 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 and its reference number in the email subject line.

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