The Position:
CIFOR and partners are implementing the project “Governing multifunctional landscapes in Sub-Saharan Africa: managing trade-offs between social and ecological impacts (GML)” funded by the European union (EU) through the Directorate-General for International cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO). Part of CIFOR work in this project focuses on piloting jurisdictional approaches in selected countries in SSA, with a specific focus on how global value chains and investments can be made more sustainable and inclusive, and leverage on the potential of finance for scaling up. Project activities include the design and implementation of viable business and financial models and supportive governance arrangements that contribute to i) addressing inclusivity and sustainability challenges facing agro-commodity production, and ii) identifying territorial governance arrangements and business models that contribute to reducing the forest footprint of international agricultural commodities. In addition, this position will contribute to support the development and testing of an impact monitoring system for the EU’s timber legality initiative Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT).
The Research Assistant in this position is expected to undertake research, outreach and dissemination activities, and capacity building activities under the GML project. These activities are expected to result in the successful piloting of jurisdictional approaches in selected locations, the successful organization of multi-stakeholder workshops, at least one publications per year (in either a lead or co-author role), at least one presentation at an international conference, and engagement activities with project’s partners in selected countries. Furthermore, the Research Officer is expected to provide technical support to the project and CIFOR’s partners, especially with regards to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), collection and analysis of quantitative and quality survey data, as well as analysis of data contributing the FLEGT impact monitoring system.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Contribute to the design of household and producer surveys and sampling approaches
Contribute to overseeing the administration of household surveys and producer surveys in research countries (e.g. Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya)
Contribute to the analysis of household data using qualitative and quantitative data analysis approaches
Contribute to the writing of knowledge products (e.g. Info Briefs, journal papers, technical reports)
Essential Academic and Professional Qualifications:
Master’s degree or higher in Geography, Development or Agricultural Economics, or GIS & Remote Sensing or related discipline.
Experience designing and conducting household socio-economic surveys
Experience analysing household surveys using quantitative (statistical) and qualitative approaches
Familiarity with the agricultural and forestry value chains
Proficient using GIS software and remote sensing techniques (optional but desirable)
Skills and Competencies:
Experience working in a project context
Competent in personal organization and priority setting, with the ability to work effectively under time pressure and manage multiple priorities.
Have initiative and capable of working independently as well as an effective team player.
Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.
Experience working with a wide and diverse network of groups and individuals.
Excellent facilitation and teambuilding capacity.
Terms of offer:
CIFOR is hosted by the World Agroforestry Centre and is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on national terms and will be for an initial period of two (2) years renewable, subject to six (6) months’ probation period.
The position will be based at CIFOR offices in Nairobi, Kenya.
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