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CIFOR Scientist, Restoration and Plantation Forestry

(Ref: 1207)

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 looking for a Scientist, Restoration and Plantation Forestry

The Scientist will do research on the ecological and silvicultural aspects of tropical plantation forestry for the production of goods and services (including timber, biodiversity, and carbon) from the stand to the landscape level. The position involves research, research coordination and fundraising.

Specific research plans will be defined at the beginning of the contract. Research activities will broadly focus on:

  • Small holder plantation forestry and local innovations.
  • The role of fast growing tree plantations in meeting future bio-energy demands and their potential environmental impacts.
  • The biophysical dimension of planted forests for the restoration of environmental services.
  • Tree plantations in a landscape context for meeting conservation and production purposes.
  • Other relevant issues identified during the research.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Scientist is expected to:

  • Work with research partners and practitioners and interact with policy makers to enhance the impacts of the research and provide scientific leadership within CIFOR.
  • Team up with CIFOR researchers and partners in other programmes and disciplines and with researchers from collaborating CGIAR centres in the context of the Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry.
  • Produce quality publications and dissemination materials such as policy briefs, substantive reports, and peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals.
  • Develop and maintain donor relations; report to donors and make sure that donor requirements are met; attend donor meetings, contribute to developing research proposals, coordinate with other CIFOR scientists in the region to leverage funding.
  • Represent CIFOR at international meetings, engaging with a variety of partners and stakeholders, developing and maintaining functional partnerships.
  • Provide scientific mentoring to junior staff engaged in CIFOR projects, support capacity building initiatives and staff development, and encourage continuous improvement and learning.

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

Requirements

Education, Experience and Technical Skills

  • PhD in forestry, and/or forest ecology.
  • At least 6 years of relevant experience in collaborative research.
  • Demonstrated capacity to undertake high quality research and a strong publications record in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
  • Track record in resource mobilisation/fundraising and in proposal development/writing.
  • Fluency in English is required. Fluency in other languages used in countries where CIFOR works is an asset (e.g., French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Indonesian).

Personal attributes and competencies

  • Management and organisational skills, experience in project management.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experienced in working with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary research teams, experience in developing countries.
  • Excellent facilitation and teambuilding capacity.
  • Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning, and is committed to staff’s development.

Terms and Conditions:

  • This is an internationally recruited position. CIFOR offers a competitive remuneration 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.

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 and its reference number in the email subject line.

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