Research Project Assistant

Deadline: Open until filled. The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) seeks applicants for a Research Project Assistant to support CCAFS Theme 3: Pro-Poor Climate Change Mitigation. The position will be located at the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at The University of Vermont (UVM). We seek a talented and motivated individual who will provide the CCAFS Theme 3 Leader with program management, grant, and administrative support.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will contribute to planning and reporting processes for Theme 3 activities and budgets, coordinate Theme 3 information systems and project databases, manage project contracts, and provide grant proposal and administrative support to the Theme 3 leader. The position also offers the potential for international travel to CCAFS staff or science meetings.

Qualifications: Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree plus 3 years’ experience in program management. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field (e.g. agriculture, natural resources, climate change mitigation, soil science, or international development) is desirable but not necessary. Applicants should possess basic program and budget management skills, excellent writing and communication skills, be competent in Microsoft Office, and be willing to work with colleagues from all over the world across multiple time zones. Applicants must be willing to travel internationally, and should be a team player with an interest in contributing to a better understanding of agricultural climate change mitigation in a fast-paced environment. Language skills in Spanish, Portuguese, French or Vietnamese are desirable, as is familiarity with PeopleSoft, EndNote, and website development.

Application process: Applicants should submit a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for 2-3 professional references to www.uvmjobs.com. The job posting number is 0040522. Inquiries may be made to Alison Nihart. The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through their research and/or service. Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this goal.

About CCAFS: The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is a 10- year research initiative launched by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP). CCAFS seeks to overcome the threats to agriculture and food security in a changing climate, exploring new ways of helping vulnerable rural communities adjust to global changes in climate. CCAFS Theme 3 (Pro-poor Climate Change Mitigation) is based at UVM and supported through a grant to UVM. As a multi-institutional initiative, administration of Theme 3 involves coordination across the fifteen CGIAR Centers, the CCAFS secretariat at University of Copenhagen and CCAFS research partners. We encourage applicants to review the CCAFS websiteprior to applying.

About the Gund Institute and UVM: The University of Vermont is located in Burlington, situated between the Green and Adirondack Mountains on the shoreline of Lake Champlain. The Gund Institute is a transdisciplinary research, teaching, and service organization focused on developing integrative solutions to society's most pressing problems. We encourage applicants to review the Gund website prior to applying.