The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is looking for an Associate Expert to work on CIFOR research.

• Title: Associate Expert
  
• Programme: Environmental Services and Sustainable Use of Forests Programme: Congo Basin Forests and Climate Change
  
• Supervisors: Scientist and Regional Coordinator, Central Africa
  
• Duty station: Yaoundé, Cameroon
  
• Duration: Appointment is for one year with possibility of extension up to a total of three years.

ELIGIBILITY:

• The position is open to Dutch national and permanent residents of the Netherlands or nationals from eligible developing countries;
• Under 32 years of age at the time of application;
• Nationals of the duty station are not eligible.

For further information on eligibility criteria and the list of eligible developing countries, please refer to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.minbuza.nl/nl/organisatie/
Werken_bij,werken_bij_io/assistent_deskundigen and http://www.minbuza.nl/en/developmentcooperation/ExpertProgramme or http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/Careers/APO-JPO/eligibility.htm

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

CIFOR has on-going activities on tropical forests and climate change adaptation globally, with an established network of partners and practitioners ideally suited to work on this theme as well as providing the right framework for the AE’s research activities. The ecosystem approach to adaptation undertaken by CIFOR fits into national activities aimed at achieving development targets such as the MDG’s (1 & 7) as well as constituting pro-poor approaches to climate change adaptation with less complexity and technological sophistication within local capacity and level of management.

Specifically, the AE will:

• Carry out research activities in the assessment of vulnerability to Climate Change, specifically linked to impacts on forest ecosystems that significantly contribute to development policies.
• To develop policy-oriented strategies for adaptation of tropical forests to climate change, taking into consideration the relevance of these systems to specific aspects of the development policy;
• Carry out policy relevant research and analysis relating to the mainstreaming of adaptation into development policies in the above mentioned countries.

In addition to the above, that will constitute the basis of the AE’s scientific activities, the AE is expected to:

• Support the climate change scientist and other staff and partners in the assessment of the links between ecosystems services and development policies in the Congo Basin.
• Support the development of methodologies to assess vulnerability of specific development policies, in accordance with the methodological framework of the project
• Take part in various field research activities in the project countries.
• Organize meetings and workshops in collaboration with other team members as required and stimulate discussion with key stakeholders, including government and civil society.
• Assist the team and partners in data collection procedures and analyses; ensure data quality control, preparing progress and annual reports.
• Produce scientific papers, policy briefs on these topics.
• Act as representative of the program in local or international events and fora such as United Nations Forum for Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) when required.

Note: The use of the term “Development policies” hereby only refers restrictedly to those policies linked to forest-based sectors that will be identified by stakeholders during the project kick off meeting in Central Africa.

Expected outputs:

Year 1:

• Compilation of literature survey and annotated bibliography on impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems in the Central African region
• Report on analyses of national policies governing forest utilization by local communities and how they affect the adaptive capacity of forest dependent households and communities.
• Review report on regional institutions such as COMIFAC on trans-boundary forest resource policies and their implications for climate change adaptation
• Reports or documents produced from the AE involvement in CIFOR project activities

Year 2:

• A report on an initial assessment of vulnerability of development policies with the characterization of relevant institutions including traditional, and their roles in policy formulation for climate change adaptation
• A report analyzing the mechanism of policy formulation, the direction of flow (top-down or bottom-up) and the contribution / participation of various stakeholders in this process in order to elaborate the strategies for mainstreaming adaptation into forest policy.
• A database of other on-going policy-related activities by other organizations within the region that could be relevant for mainstreaming adaptation.
• Report writing on AE’s involvement in CIFOR project activities for that year.
• One regional workshop organised, on a policy dialogue for adaptation in the region (The AE is not expected to take the lead but to contribute to the organisation of this workshop).

Year 3:

• A report on the analysis of mainstreaming adaptation into development policies
• One regional workshop organised, on a regional policy dialogue for the mainstreaming of adaptation into development (The AE is not expected to take the lead but to contribute to the organisation of this workshop).
• Two scientific papers submitted in a reputable journal
• Reports or documents produced from the AE involvement in CIFOR project activities
• Final report. Highlighting achievements and problems

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications: Masters Degree (required) in a relevant discipline, preferably Development Studies, Environmental or Ecological Economics or Environmental Policy. The candidate should have experience with ecological modeling and Natural Resources Management.

Relevant Experience:

• Required: good understanding of the issues of the impacts of climate change over social and ecological systems; knowledge on policy issues relating to adaptation to climate change and sustainable development; experience in multi-purpose surveys.
• Desired: experience in working with multi stakeholders in developing countries; prior involvement in similar research studies; knowledge and practice of system modeling techniques.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills;
• Fluent in written and spoken English and French;
• Commitment to interdisciplinary, comparative and impact oriented research;
• Has initiative, good in planning and organizing, and able to handle pressure;
• Desired: good interpersonal and inter-cultural skills skills, good in teamwork.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Letter of interest and curriculum vitae in English should be sent by email to:

Human Resources Department CIFOR,
Email: cifor-hr@cgiar.org 
(Please indicate the Job Code in the e-mail subject)

The curriculum vitae should include personal data; contact details; detailed description of higher education including special assignments/projects; other trainings; work experience; language capabilities and other skills; publications (if any); and details of three referees including telephone and fax numbers and email address.

Deadline for applications is June 30, 2008. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.