Job: Post Doctoral Fellow

Location: Tenure, Bogor (Indonesia), Lima (Peru), Nairobi (Kenya) 
Deadline: Sunday, 20 October 2013 

Description

Forests and Governance Research Portfolio

CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry(CRP6)

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)advances human well-being, environmental conservation and equity by conducting research to help shape policies and practices that affect forests in developing countries. CIFOR is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, with offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

We currently have three exciting job opportunities for

Post Doctoral Fellows, Tenure based in a. Bogor (Indonesia), b. Lima (Peru) and c. Nairobi (Kenya).

Overview

The Tenure Post Doctoral Fellows will be part of a core team responsible for implementing a multi-country research and action program examining the impact of forest tenure reforms in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Under the supervision of a senior scientist and a principal scientist, the three postdoctoral fellows will participate in a program that seeks to analyze the success or failure in the practice of policy and institutional innovations to provide more secure rights to forest resources, and to identify conditions under which national or local policy implementation leads to desired outcomes. The program also seeks to improve the knowledge, understanding and skills of policymakers, practitioners and forest-dependent communities for the design and implementation of forest tenure reforms, by providing them with needed information, analysis and tools. Key outputs include:

• Conceptual framework for linking forest tenure reforms and reform implementation processes for tenure security and livelihood options.
• Methods for assessment of forest tenure reform outcomes for differentiated villagers.
• Comparative analysis of factors constraining or facilitating forest tenure reform implementation.
• Tools and principles for guiding the integration and negotiation of diverse interests in complex decision situations.

The three successful candidates will be responsible for ensuring that project activities identified are implemented in a timely and effective manner in the project countries. The main project countries are Indonesia, Peru and Uganda, with additional activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador and Nepal. One position will be based in Bogor (Indonesia), one in Lima (Peru) and one in Nairobi (Kenya) and will involve travel within the country as well as to other target countries in each region.

Duties and responsibilities

The Post Doctoral Fellows will contribute substantially to research design, data collection and management, data analysis and production of research outputs, as well the dissemination of research findings.

Main tasks comprise the following:

• Work as part of a dynamic team on the scientific and methodological development of research in the respective country of assignment (i.e. Indonesia, Peru or Uganda).
• Research design including develop hypotheses and data collection instruments.
• Research management such as field testing data collection instruments, training partners in data collection methodologies, and stakeholder consultations to ensure the application of good practice in data collection and management.
• Data analysis and contribution to the production of peer reviewed publications (including policy and Info briefs) with internal and external collaborators.
• Dissemination of results to policy makers and practitioners, including organizing feedback workshops for local communities.
• Develop knowledge sharing programs in the respective counties to inform key stakeholders and achieve uptake of results.
• Develop and maintain a network of strategic research and policy partners in the project countries.
• Represent CIFOR at relevant meetings and events in the countries of interest and in global forums.
• Support the development and implementation of targeted capacity-building programs for stakeholders.

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 public policy, political science, environmental studies or other relevant social science disciplines.
• Solid background in forestry, natural resources management, environmental management or a related subject.
• Experience in field based empirical analysis of institutional arrangements, forest tenure and property rights, public policies, multilevel governance, and/or local livelihood strategies especially related to forestry.
• Strong background in interdisciplinary research with skills in mixed methods approaches.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops is desirable.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills with demonstrated excellence in written and oral presentations.
• Knowledge of an additional second language such as Indonesian, Kiswahili, French or Spanish is desirable.
• Field experience in developing countries, preferably in the project countries.
• Experience in proposal development and fundraising is desirable.
• Knowledge and an interest in gender analysis would be an added advantage.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Excellent facilitation skills.
• Excellent skills in synthesis and review.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and complete tasks with attention to detail.
• Competency in personal organization, priority setting, managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and proven ability to work collaboratively in cross- cultural contexts with other researchers, policymakers, donors, and civil society, while facilitating the impact of research and capacity strengthening.
• Values the sharing of information in a collaborative atmosphere of constructive evaluation andlearning.
• Willingness to travel as required.

We are looking for people who share our mission and our commitment to professionalism, innovation, impact and collaboration.

Terms and conditions

• Competitive remuneration in US dollars commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years with the possibility of extension or transfer to a similar position contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be respectively in Nairobi ( Kenya) for the Uganda work, Lima for Peru work and Bogor for Indonesia, with travel to research sites.

Application process

• The application deadline is 20 October 2013.
• We will acknowledge all applications, but will only contact short-listed candidates.

Please send your letter of interest and CV, including contact information for three referees, to:

Human Resources Department, CIFOR

Please indicate the position and its reference number in the email subject line.

CIFOR is an equal opportunity employer.

Staff diversity contributes to excellence.
More Info and Application