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» Agroforestry Systems Scientist for WCA Region (ICRAF)
Job opening ID: 74
Internationally Recruited Staff
Organisation/Location: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Cameroon
Application deadline: 10-April-2014
Website: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies

Details:

Roles and responsibilities

1. Provide scientific leadership in on-farm agroforestry research including technical and social aspects on smallholder farms in the humid tropics.
2. Develop and promote management systems and tools that raise productivity in cocoa, fruit, timber and coffee systems. Actively contribute to technical discussions and consultations in and outside ICRAF on farm management issues, farmer decision process, local knowledge and development support.
3. Publish and present research findings at local, national and international levels; e.g. in peer-reviewed journals, web-form and popular outlets.
4. Develop partnership within and outside WCA [e.g. National Agriculture Research System (NARS), universities, etc.] for advancing science of agroforestry, particularly those related to on-farm productivity and profitability.
5. Actively engage in project development (seeking opportunities for proposals, developing proposals, follow ups), especially in the area of smallholder agroforestry to improve on-farm productivity of trees and agroforestry systems.
6. Supervise graduate students.
7. Lead relevant projects and project components about on-farm productivity, profitability, local knowledge, farmer decisions, and development support and knowledge dissemination.

Skill set

1. PhD in Agricultural Science (Agriculture, Agroforestry, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or other relevant area)
2. Experience in leading problem-focused interdisciplinary research and development projects (with components of agro-ecology and other natural science, rural development, resource economics, bio-physical and economics, capacity strengthening and dissemination).
3. Experience in conceptualizing farm-level production research, agroforestry technology, options, and farmer decisions mainly on tree crops.
4. Familiarity with ecological interactions at landscape level environmental services (hydrology, sedimentation, carbon stocks and biodiversity, including agricultural biodiversity).
5. Extensive knowledge of farm economics and modelling, assessment tools and methods.
6. Knowledge on local farmer institutions and knowledge dissemination.

Personal attributes and competencies:

1. A minimum of 5 years post PhD experience working in the area of research and/or education in agriculture or natural resources; of which at least 4 years in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Great interest in how research and its application can be used to solve development problems, with some experience in achieving impact.
3. Some experience coordinating a multi-country, multi-institutional research project.
4. Experience in supervising staff and in mentoring young scientists.
5. Substantial publishing record with publications in or related to agroforestry.
6. Good communication skills in English and French (both written and spoken) are necessary; knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
7. Well organized and able to meet deadlines.
8. Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
9. Willingness to travel extensively in West and Central Africa.

Work experience: 5 years

Job Summary

Under the supervision of West and Central Africa Regional Coordinator, the Agroforestry Systems Scientist is responsible for (i) leading the scientific research enhancing on-farm productivity of trees and agroforestry systems in West and Central Africa region, including the humid tropics. The task includes development of research projects and co-ordination among technical units and strengthening partnerships for enhancing science of agroforestry for better on-farm productivity in terms of both economics and environment. He/She will be engaged in the co-ordination and synthesis of related projects in WCA, mobilizing resources, managing staff and budget and liaising with partners, donors, ICRAF staff in HQ, WCA and other regions involved in similar research activities, government agencies, and civil society organizations.

The scientist will be an integral member of Humidtropics, ‘the CGIAR Research Programme (CRP) on Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics ‘, and will contribute to closely linked aspects of the ‘Smallholder Production Systems and Markets’ component of ‘the Forests, Trees and Agroforestry’ CRP.

The position will be administered through ICRAF and will be based at the West and Central Africa Regional Office, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Website: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies