Associate Scientist – Protected Areas (PA) and Other Effective Areas-based Conservation Measures (OECM) Governance

Reference number: 202512
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Dakar, Senegal
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

This position will provide technical leadership on protected areas & OECMs management and governance in the development and implementation of the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity & Forests initiative. A focus will be made on the outreach of the Interactive Management Effectiveness Tool (IMET) and the capacity building of coaches, national administrations in charge of PAs, and PA managers.

Duties and responsibilities

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1. Animate and support the network of IMET coaches in developing training tools and approaches for IMET users (PA & OCEM managers, national administrations, regional networks, etc.)
2. Support the training of PA/OECM managers,national and regional administrations on the use of the IMET and Decision Support System (DSS) for the analysis, planning, monitoring and evaluation of conserved and protected areas
3. Organize recycling training of IMET coaches, PA managers and national administrations.
4. Organize and participate in conferences, workshops, seminars and study tours
5. Facilitate communication using publications to raise awareness on PAs and OECMs governance and solution to address biodiversity issues and restore degraded natural resources
6. Facilitate reviews, baseline studies and IMET assessments of biodiversity in protected and conserved areas and approaches for landscape rehabilitation.
7. Ensure timely project deliverables (research output, trainings, synthesis, tools, and quality scientific publications) and reporting
8. Facilitate the coordination between IMET stakeholders (JRC, PA managers, Regional Centres of Excellence, NaturAfrica regional technical assistance (RTA)).
9. Develop partnership within and outside CIFOR-ICRAF for advancing the science, particularly related to forestry, protected areas and ecosystems governance and biodiversity.
10. Represent CIFOR-ICRAF in government programs and working groups when requested, and at external meetings where appropriate
11. Contribute to governance-related research and analyze, document, and publish project findings.
    

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management (Forestry, Agroforestry, Agriculture, Ecology, Natural Resource Management) with strong expertise in biodiversity conservation
• Three (3) years of relevant experience in protected areas management, with an extensive knowledge of the IMET and other PAME tools.
• Proven experience in protected and conserved areas management and governance approaches and biodiversity across Africa
• Extensive knowledge of ecological interactions at landscape level and environmental services
• Extensive knowledge of PAME assessment tools, methods
• Proven experience on capacity building and stakeholder training on PAs/OECMs, integrated landscape approaches, natural resources management
• Experience in technologies and tools to collect and analyse field data, models and approaches coupled with scenarios development for decision making
• Experience in participatory design of natural resources management plans.
• Experience in collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, private and public sector partners, and governments
• Good experience coordinating multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary research for development projects
• Experience in supervising staff and in mentoring young scientists and technical staff.
  

Education, knowledge and experience

•Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management (Forestry, Agroforestry, Agriculture, Ecology, Natural Resource Management) with strong expertise in biodiversity conservation
•Three (3) years of relevant experience in protected areas management, with an extensive knowledge of the IMET and other PAME tools.
•Proven experience in protected and conserved areas management and governance approaches and biodiversity across Africa
•Extensive knowledge of ecological interactions at landscape level and environmental services
•Extensive knowledge of PAME assessment tools, methods
•Proven experience on capacity building and stakeholder training on PAs/OECMs, integrated landscape approaches, natural resources management
•Experience in technologies and tools to collect and analyse field data, models and approaches coupled with scenarios development for decision making
•Experience in participatory design of natural resources management plans.
•Experience in collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, private and public sector partners, and governments
•Good experience coordinating multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary research for development projects
•Experience in supervising staff and in mentoring young scientists and technical staff.

Terms and conditions

•This is a Locally Recruited position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.
•The duty station will be in Dakar, Senegal CIFOR-ICRAF Offices.

Application process

The application deadline is 28 Feb 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.