Senior Scientist(Climate Change and Development) vacancy at World Agroforestry Centre, Kenya

WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTRE

POST: Senior Scientist: Climate Change and Development

LOCATION: Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

EMPLOYER: World Agroforestry Centre

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 14.10.2011

ABOUT THIS POSITION

Can you strengthen the Centre’s leadership on climate change mitigation and adaptation for poor rural communities through agroforestry bio-sequestration? If so, then an exciting opportunity exists for you in the World Agroforestry Centre Nairobi, Kenya.

The successful candidate will guide our work in the following ways: 

• Analysis of issues and policy regarding the carbon market as it relates to smallholder agroforestry systems, with emphasis on funding streams for expanding small holder agroforestry in ways that have unique leverage in combining poverty alleviation with climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Develop new opportunities to create agroforestry investments through climate change mitigation with adaptation in collaboration with ICRAF team members and through collaborating partner institutions.
• Engagement across the Centre’s Global Research Projects for research and the successful up-scaling of agroforestry in the context of both climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Creating and managing partnerships, particularly with respect to the complementary strengths among a range of institutions that are necessary to make investments in smallholder agroforestry for mitigation and adaptation successful.
• Communicating the outcomes of research and field experience in this area to a broader international audience at the interface of climate change negotiations, agricultural development, national and sub-national decision makers and the society.
• Original research in the area of the position’s focus, carried out individually and through collaboration with other ICRAF researchers and partners.

The successful applicant will have:

• PhD in development, economics, agronomy or other related fields
• At least 10 years of increasingly responsible positions in an environment or development context.
• Extensive field experience in tropical developing countries.
• Extensive experience in proposal development and fund raising, ideally with a donor background.
• Good track record of international publications.
• Solid background in environmental policy, climate change and development.
• Demonstrated fundraising of smallholder development-oriented research projects.
• Demonstrated experience in conception and management of development-oriented research projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at international, national and sub-national levels, including smallholders, private sector and policy makers.
• Excellent command of English; additional languages desirable.
• Management of bio-carbon projects or carbon finance experience an asset.

  
TERMS OF OFFER

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on international terms.  The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a nine (9) months probation period.   

HOW TO APPLY
Prepare:

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position, and your salary expectations.
• A detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses.

Address these to: The Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya OR send via email to: icrafhru@cgiar.org. Indicate “Application for Senior Scientist Climate Change and Development” on the application letter. Applications will be considered until 14 October 2011 or until a suitable candidate is identified and selected. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER : www.worldagroforestry.org

Scientist position at World Agroforestry Centre

WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTRE

POST: Policy and Impact Scientist - WCA

LOCATION: Bamako, Bamako, Mali

EMPLOYER: World Agroforestry Centre

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30.9.2011

ABOUT THIS POSITION

If you can develop and lead research on policy and impact assessment of priority for the West and Central Africa region, and support other projects in the region with these skills, then you are the person we are looking for.

Exciting opportunities exist for such work in the World Agroforestry Centre West and Central Africa Region. The position is based in Bamako, Mali, and will require frequent travel within the region, including Guinea, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Niger and Burkina Faso. You will guide our work in the following ways:  

• Assess impacts of agroforestry systems and key World Agroforestry research innovations.
• Contribute socio-economic analyses to regional projects.
• Analyze existing policies and potential policy reforms in terms of their impact on agroforestry, livelihoods and the environment.
• Develop partnerships for economic and policy research in the region and build the capacity of national partners to participate in cross-regional projects. 
• Publish outputs in high quality publications, including journals, extension technical notes and policy briefs.
• Develop project concepts and raise resources for research activities in the West and Central Africa region.

The successful applicant will have:

• A PhD in economics, forestry, agricultural or resource economics.
• Minimum experience of five years in a research position, preferably in an international organization.
• Experience in assessing the impact of natural resource management innovations
• Experience in analysis of key policy areas for agroforestry such as property rights, payments for environmental services, bylaws etc.
• Experience in the preparation of donor reports.A good publications track record.
• Good quantitative analysis skills.
• Accomplished skills in statistical analysis.
• Experience in design of household surveys.
• A minimum of three years working in a developing country in the fields of agriculture, forestry or environment.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND COMPETENCIES
 

• High proficiency in French and English, both written and spoken.
• Working experience in West Africa/the Sahel.
• Ability to working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural research teams.

TERMS OF OFFER

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on international terms.  The appointment will be for an initial period of three years, subject to a nine-month probation period.   

HOW TO APPLY
Prepare:

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position, and your salary expectations.
• A detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses.

Address these to: The Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya OR send via email to: icrafhru@cgiar.org. Indicate “Application for Policy and Impact Scientist - WCA” on the application letter. Applications will be considered until 30 September 2011 or until a suitable candidate is identified and selected. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER : www.worldagroforestry.org

Research facilitator(Scientific officer) vacancy at World Agroforestry centre

WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTRE

POST: Research Facilitator (Science Officer) Pro-Poor Climate Change Mitigation

LOCATION: Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

EMPLOYER: World Agroforestry Centre

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 27.9.2011

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The CGIAR Research Program, Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS, http://www.ccafs.cgiar.org) is a major collaborative endeavour between the international agricultural (CGIAR) and global environmental change (ESSP) research communities, and their respective partners. CCAFS seeks to overcome the threats posed by a changing climate to achieving food security, enhancing livelihoods and improving environmental management in the developing world. Launched in 2009, the 10-year program’s current geographical focus is East Africa, West Africa and South Asia.

The Research Facilitator (Science Officer) will support and coordinate research activities of the CCAFS theme on Pro-Poor Climate Change Mitigation. The program’s research on mitigation aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods and meet future food needs in ways that also reduce the impact of agriculture on the climate and are environmentally sustainable. The Science Officer will work closely with the Theme Leader and other members of the CCAFS management team.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To manage, synthesize and report information on Theme 3 budget, program and partners. Liaise with partners and administrative staff at ICRAF, CIAT and Copenhagen University as needed. (50%)
• To facilitate partner development and backstop regional research. Contribute to strategic research within Theme 3 within own areas of expertise. (30%)
• To coordinate communications among partners and potential research users in the design, implementation and evaluation of research projects. Coordinate related websites, workshops and capacity building events. (10%)
• To support fundraising, including preparation of proposals and reports to donors and other administrative support functions as required. (10%)

REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in a field related to climate change mitigation, ecological services, development economics, food security or agriculture, or a master’s degree and minimum of four years of relevant work experience involving program management.
• Excellent writing, editing and public speaking skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-cultural contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and complete tasks with attention to detail and to meet deadlines.

TERMS OF OFFER

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly  encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on international terms. The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a nine-month probation period.

HOW TO APPLY

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability and salary expectations
• A detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax number and email address.

ADDRESS THESE TO: The Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya OR send via email to: icrafhru@cgiar.org. Indicate “Application for Research Facilitator (Science Officer)” on the application letter. Applications will be considered until 06 October 2011 or until a suitable candidate is identified and selected. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER www.worldagroforestry.org

Post doctoral fellow vacancy at ILRI, Uganda

ILRI vacancy: Post doctoral fellow (closing 30.9.2011)

Vacancy Number: PD/UG/MK05/08/11

Total salary & benefit package circa USD 65000 (tax free*) Base salary from USD 35,000-USD 40,000 per annum plus benefits

The Post Doctoral Fellow will work in a project to develop smallholder pig production systems and their associated value chains in Uganda and will report to the Project Manager. The Fellow will be part of a team designing and evaluating a pilot intervention to improve livelihoods, incomes and assets of smallholder households by raising productivity of their pig enterprises based on a package of technical and organizational strategies. S/he will contribute to designing and working closely with national research and development partners to implement the research, with specific responsibility for assessing the financial, economic and social feasibility and appropriateness of the models being piloted, including monitoring of gender dimensions, farmer business and organizational strategies and potential constraints to adoption. The Fellow will also apply existing and new conceptual value chain frameworks to identify pro-poor opportunities for improving the associated value chains. S/he will be expected to actively contribute to preparing strategic communication products including journal publications.

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

·         An understanding of innovation systems and value chain analysis.

·         Experience in research design, use of quantitative and qualitative analytic methods (including econometric and mathematical modeling),

·         Experience with supervising/coordinating collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data related to agricultural households and associated value chains

REQUIREMENTS

·         A Ph.D obtained not more than 5 years ago in the field of Agricultural Economics, Economics, Agribusiness, or related discipline

·         Proven analytical and research skills through a track record of scientific publications, policy documents and related correspondence.

·         Experience of working in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, with strong preference given to livestock-related experience

·         Demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, and strong interpersonal and partnership management skills

·         Strong English language skills, both written and spoken (proficiency in other languages is an advantage);

·         A passion for the generation of scientific knowledge that advances pro-poor development.

POST LOCATION: The position is to be based in Kampala, Uganda.

POSITION LEVEL: The position is a Post doctoral level, job grade 4A.

DURATION: 2 years with the possibility of renewal for 1 year

SALARY: ILRI offers a competitive international salary/benefits package. Base salary from USD 35,000-USD 40,000 per annum. *Tax free but subject to compliance with the tax regulations of country of citizenship.

BENEFITS:

Include: s Life Insurance s International Medical Cover for staff and dependentss Education Allowance for dependent children s Housing Allowance * Baggage Allowance * Annual Home Leave Travel allowance * Annual Holiday Entitlement of 30 days + 11 public holidays.

Applicants for any of the above positions should send a cover letter identifying the position for which they are applying, and explaining their interest, what they can bring to the job and indicating earliest availability.  They should also send a curriculum vitae and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to email: ilri-economists@cgiar.org by 30th September, 2011.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Suitably qualified women and developing country citizens are particularly encouraged to apply.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://ilrijobs.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/ilri-vacancy-post-doctoral-fellow-closing-30-september-2011/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ILRIjobs+%28ILRI+jobs%29

Vacancy for Researcher(Bioinformatics) at CIAT

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture – CIAT

Researcher in Bioinformatics

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture – CIAT, is one of the 15 not-for-profit Centers funded by various countries, private foundations, international and regional organizations that make up the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

We are seeking applications for a Researcher in Bioinformatics. The position offers an outstanding career opportunity for a researcher interested in genomics in the context of international agriculture. The researcher will be part of a multidisciplinary team working on genetic improvement of beans, cassava, forage grass species and rice. The position will be based in CIAT Headquarters (Palmira, Colombia).

POST: Researcher in Bioinformatics

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Developing and running pipelines for the assembly/alignment of next generation sequencing data, variant detection and annotation for CIAT's mandate crops: bean, cassava, forages and rice.

·         Perform genetic mapping and genome wide association studies (GWAS) to identify markers for use in marker assisted breeding.

·         Help with the design and management of phenotyping databases.

·         Supervise the continued development of CIAT's LIMS.

·         Supervise assistants and students in bioinformatics both visiting and from within CIAT.

·         Contribute to the design of the scientific program and IT strategy of CIAT.

·         Publish results in journals and at conferences.

·         Develop internal and external collaborations.

·         Develop projects and apply for funding.

·         The researcher will be expected to work with data from different sequencing and genotyping platforms including Sanger, 454, Illumina, Ion Torrent, Fluidigm and BeadXpress. The position is part of an interdisciplinary team which includes plant breeders, geneticists, physiologists, entomologists and pathologists.

REQUIREMENTS:

·         Ph.D in the field of bioinformatics, computational biology or a similar discipline.

·         Experience in computer programming such as Perl, python or Java is essential and  knowledge of statistics software/languages such as R would be beneficial.

·         Experience in developing and running bioinformatics software is essential.

·         Experience with plant genomics is desirable.

·         Experience with phylogenetics software is also desirable.

·         Must be prepared to travel internationally.

·         Excellent communication skills in written & spoken English, and the ability to speak Spanish is desirable.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES:

·         Goal-oriented.

·         Dynamic, forward thinking and creative with high ethical standards.

·         A strategic planner with sound analytical ability and good judgment.

·         Demonstrates facilitating skills and influencing skills.

·         A team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people at all levels in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.

·         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 OF EMPLOYMENT

The contract will be for a two-year period, renewable depending on performance. The position is internationally recruited and will report to the Agrobiodiversity Research Area Director. CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants should apply by e-mail, including a cover letter, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Applications should be sent to Catalina Montoya (C.m.ruiz@cgiar.org) at the Human Resources Office at CIAT.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: September 30, 2011

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER www.ciat.cgiar.org

Research assistant Vacancy at AfricaRice

The Africa Rice Center(AfricaRice)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Research Assistant for Weed Science

Ref: GSS/22/RD/September/2011

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice, ex‐WARDA) seeks a highly qualified individual to fill the position of Research Assistant for Weed Science at the General Support Staff (GSS) level at its regional East and Southern Africa station, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

ABOUT AFRICARICE

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is an association of 24 African member states and one of the 15 international Centers supported by the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR). The Center’s mission is to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa, through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the productivity and profitability of the rice sector in ways that ensure the sustainability of the farming environment. AfricaRice is temporarily headquartered in Cotonou, Benin.

POSITION: Research Assistant for Weed Science

CATEGORY: GSS

RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the Weed Scientist, the successful candidate will be in charge of the following tasks:

• Support the program agenda related to Weed Science, including monitoring and backstopping of projects and research activities in different countries

• Preparation of seminar and conference presentations, organization of workshops and meetings and drafting minutes, reports and scientific papers

• Backstopping of students and NARS collaborators

• Provide substantive support in the preparation, editing and proofreading of documents, research papers and proposals

• Implement and monitor weed research activities

• Coordinate and provide feedback on program implementation with other units

• Undertake any other duties as required by the center

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will have:

• An MSc. degree in agricultural sciences (preferably in weed sciences, botany or agronomy)

• Experience in design and implementation of experimental research, farmer surveys or farmer participatory approaches

• Proven knowledge and experience in integrated crop management or weed science.

• Knowledge of statistical analysis of research data and experience in working with statistical software packages (such as Genstat)

• Ability to work under pressure, and to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment requiring good interpersonal and communication skills

• Capacity to conduct independent work and produce reliable results

• A high degree of professional motivation, flexibility, initiative, drive, reliability and willingness to learn and develop new skills

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Candidates should send an application (including date of availability and a statement of any special qualifications for the position) and an up‐to‐date curriculum vitae with the names and addresses (including telephone / fax / e‐mail) of three referees to:

Human Resources Department, AfricaRice

01 BP 2031 Cotonou, Benin

F: + (229) 21 35 05 56; T: (229) 21 35 01 88

Email: africarice‐hr@cgiar.org

Applications will be considered up to October, 14 2011 or until the position is filled.

AfricaRice believes that staff diversity promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages applications from women and developing country professionals.

AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only the short listed candidates will be contacted.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.africarice.org/

Youth in Agriculture Blog Competition or YoBloCo Awards

YoBloCo Awards: Enter your blog on youth and agriculture and win up to 3,000 Euro!

CTA and partners have just launched a new blog competition. The ‘Youth in Agriculture Blog Competition’, or YoBloCo Awards, aims to highlight successes and challenges experienced by youth engaged in agriculture in urban and rural areas. CTA hopes to encourage the production of information using new social media and technologies by young farmer groups and organisations active in youth and agriculture.

The competition is an initiative of the CTA ARDYIS project. Entries are invited from 18 to 35 year olds and organisations discussing topics such as challenges and successes of youth in agriculture, climate change, natural resource management, agricultural production, agri-business, agricultural value chains, agricultural policy issues, etc.

Interested bloggers should enter before 31 October 2011 through the ARDYIS website (http://ardyis.cta.int/en/blog-competition). Full details on entry requirements and the selection process can be found online.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.cta.int/en/About-us/Announcements/YoBloCo-Awards-Enter-your-blog-on-youth-and-agriculture-and-win-up-to-3-000-Euro!

Scientist or Senior Scientist (Climate change) at CIMMYT)

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Scientist or Senior Scientist – Climate change

Job opportunities .The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seeks a highly qualified scientist to join our international team of scientists working on improving the livelihoods of maize and wheat farmers in the developing world. As a member of the CIMMYT Socioeconomics Program and in collaboration with national and international partners, you will lead and coordinate the project on climate change, agriculture and food security and undertake strategic research on adaptation options, mitigation strategies and impacts of climate change in maize and wheat based systems at the global level. This is supported by the CGIAR Research Program (CRP7-CCAFS) and others donors. You will play a pivotal role in coordinating the interdisciplinary work, synthesizing lessons and liaise with a wide network of partners and donors. The position will preferably be based at any of the CIMMYT offices in Africa (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Nairobi, Kenya). Posting at any of the other major CIMMYT locations in Mexico, India or Zimbabwe is negotiable.

The job will require that you:

·         Coordinate the interdisciplinary effort on climate change, agriculture and food security, currently implemented in maize and wheat systems in selected target areas in Africa, South Asia and Mesoamerica.

·         Coordinate the development of impact-oriented, realistic workplans among project members and partners, and support their effective implementation, aligned with available resources and priorities.

·         Compile annual reports and other documents required by the CGIAR Consortium and donors.

·         Undertake research in selected thematic areas related to adaptation; managing climate risk, mitigation, decision support systems for policy analysis.

·         Publish research findings and contribute to dissemination of results to stakeholders.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

·         PhD in applied economics, systems modeling, GIS or other relevant discipline from a highly recognized university.

·         Relevant postdoctoral experience of at least 5 years (scientist) or 8 years (senior scientist).

·         Publications in international peer-reviewed journals relevant to agriculture and climate change.

·         Good understanding of the challenges of climate change, adaptation and mitigation options and impacts on agriculture and food security in developing countries.

·         Experience in project management and coordination of efforts involving multiple partners and scientists.

·         An effective and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment which may involve extensive travel and interaction with partners.

·         Excellent oral communication and writing skills in English. Knowledge of Spanish or other languages will be desirable.

CIMMYT (www.cimmyt.org) is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR, www.cgiar.org) and has an annual budget of about US$ 90 million. CIMMYT’s mission is to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems to ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center is a global leader in maize and wheat breeding, biotechnology, socioeconomics, and natural resource management research. CIMMYT employs about 700 permanent staff and operates through decentralized partnership, with staff in 14 countries and projects and networks in many more.

The position is for an initial fixed-term of three years, renewable based on performance and availability of funds. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave, retirement fund, and relocation shipping assistance.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Apply online no later than September 30th, 2011 or until filled.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.cimmyt.org/en/about-us/job-opportunities/1118-201119-scientist-or-senior-scientist-climate-change