Research Officer/Researcher GIS position w/ Center for International Forestry Research

Research Officer/Researcher GIS (Ref. 1269)

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 CGIAR research centres. Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, and we have offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) received a grant from the African Development Fund (ADF) in various currencies to support the implementation of the Convergence Plan of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) by funding the Support Programme to the Conservation of Congo Basin Ecosystems (PACEBCo). It intends to use part of the said grant to make payments through its agreement signed with CIFOR under the ‘Climate Change and Forests in the Congo Basin: Synergies between Adaptation and Mitigation’ project (COBAM), within the framework of the implementation of sub-component 2 of Component 2 of PACEBCo.

The project will contribute toward developing an appropriate response to vulnerability to climate change in the landscapes of the Congo Basin. It will provide decision makers, practitioners and local communities with information, analysis and tools needed to design and implement policies and execute projects to adapt to climate change and reduce carbon emissions in Congo Basin forests, with equitable impacts and co-benefits on poverty reduction, improving ecosystem services other than carbon, and protecting livelihoods and local rights.As part of the implementation of the COBAM project, CIFOR is looking for a Research Officer or Researcher, GIS.General duties and responsibilities

In coordination with the supervisor, the CIFOR/COBAM Research Officer/Researcher will work with other project consultants to do the following:

• Carry out mapping studies for the development and implementation of climate change pilot projects (adaptation and REDD+) at the local level;
• Evaluate carbon stocks within the REDD+ pilot projects sites;
• Identify appropriate images and their treatment to assess deforestation and degradation at the local level;
• Contribute to the creation of reference scenarios and projects scenarios under REDD+ pilot projects;
• Contribute to the development of MRV systems for REDD+ projects pilots.
• Organise of data collection, analysis and writing of scientific articles based on information derived from websites and other sources.

The Research Officer/Researcher will also contribute to:

• The writing of scientific articles and disseminating of project research results;
• The development of any new research proposals; and
• Other research and management projects as and when necessary.

Requirements
Education, experience and technical skills:

• A Masters degree in forestry, geography, environment, ecology or a related field;
• At least 5 years experience in the field of GIS and proven experience in participatory mapping and GIS;
• At least 3 years experience as a Researcher and/or Project Manager;
• Knowledge in the assessment of carbon stocks;
• Knowledge of human-forest interactions;
• Capability in managing research projects;
• Good ability in writing scientific papers; and
• Excellent written and spoken French and English. A working knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.

Personal attributes and competencies:

• Strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• Competence in personal organisation and setting priorities, with the ability to work effectively under deadlines and manage multiple priorities;
• Good capacity in team building and leading a team;
• Initiative and capacity to work independently and as an effective team player; and
• Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.

Terms and conditions

• Competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience
• The appointment will be for an initial period of one year (including 3 months probation) with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be at CIFOR’s Central Africa Regional Office in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Application process

• The application deadline is 23 January 2013.

• We will acknowledge all applications; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Please send your letter of interest and CV, including contact information for three referees, simultaneously to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]

Please indicate the position you are applying for and its reference code in the email subject line and in your letter of interest. For more information about CIFOR and the COBAM project, please visit our websites: www.cifor.org and www.cifor.org/COBAM

CIFOR is an equal opportunity employer. Staff diversity contributes to excellence.  We are looking for people who share our mission and our commitment to impact, professionalism, innovation and collaboration