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: Forests and Governance Programme: Sustainability, Bioenergy and Rural Livelihoods
   
• Supervisor: Scientist, Forests and Governance Programme
   
• Duty station: Bogor, Indonesia
   
• 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:

The Associate Expert would have two primary tasks: global level analytical work based on archival research (literature reviews, policy analysis); and field-based case studies to analyze the trade-offs of biofuels in select countries / landscapes.

Archival research would have two primary functions:

• Assist in carrying out a global literature review on the benefits and risks of biofuels, including their contribution to economic development and employment, and their impacts on forests and local livelihoods; and
• Assist in the analysis of national level policies on biofuels in select African and Asian countries, and their likely implications for forests and livelihoods.

Case studies in representative landscapes shaped by biofuel development, on the other hand, would help to:

• Identify the nature of social, ecological and economic impacts of biofuel development through broad-based scoping work, drawing largely on interviews with multiple stakeholders;
• Quantify impacts of primary concern to different stakeholders through field-based data collection; and

By drawing on the findings from each level of analysis and comparative research across countries/regions, the Associate Expert will also help to analyze how governance arrangements in different countries and landscapes shape social, economic and environmental outcomes. Case study sites will be selected based on a review of major areas of expansion of biofuels in Southeast Asia and southern Africa, but are likely to include 2 to 4 of the following countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique.

In addition to the analytical work, the Associate Expert will:

• Participate in Domain and project planning and review meetings;
• Interact informally with CIFOR scientists and partners as needed to refine methodologies and interpret findings;
• Work with his/her supervisor and partners to publish research findings using diverse media (e.g. peer review journals, policy briefs).
• Participate in and contribute to other Domain activities and working groups on a mutually agreed basis.

Expected Outputs:

Year 1:

• Work plan developed with supervisor and key partners
• Global literature review conducted on the benefits and risks of biofuels
• Analysis of national level policies on biofuels in select African and Asian countries and their likely implications for forests and livelihoods (as well as implications for the methodology for primary data collection)
• Selection of field sites, preliminary stakeholder interviews
• Finalized methodology for primary data collection in prioritized landscapes (case studies)

Year 2:

• Submission of journal publication on stakeholder perceptions of impacts and trade-offs in Asia and Africa, and implications for criteria and indicators for sustainable and equitable biofuel production
• Field data collection initiated

Year 3:

• Data from field research analyzed
• At least two papers on finalized on trade-offs of biofuels, how governance context shapes these and implications for enhancing sustainability and equity (medium and audience to be negotiated)
• At least one policy roundtable co-facilitated

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications: Masters degree in a relevant area (e.g. ecology, anthropology, environmental economics), preferably multi-disciplinary

Relevant Experience:

• Experience with standard social science methods (focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, household surveys)
• Biophysical research experience
• Experience in working with multiple partners in developing countries is desirable

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent written and spoken English
• Good interpersonal and inter-cultural skills
• Good analytical and synthesis skills
• Able to work in a team as well as work independently and take initiative

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.