Research Assistant – Ecosystem Service and Landscape Monitoring System

Reference number: 2454
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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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

The responsibilities of this position include contributing to conducting the ecosystem service monitoring systems and its participatory engagement of local stakeholders, developing manuals and guidelines, facilitating students and interns, contributing to project outputs, reports, and other publications, collaborating with partners, and representing the project and organization – covering the topics of scoping of watershed problems, criteria and indicator in payment for ecosystem services (PES), monitoring systems of ecosystem services and PES, and relevant technical and policy domains.

Duties and responsibilities

• Support in designing methodology and conducting research activities (data collection and analysis) on the topics of scoping of watershed problems, criteria and indicator in payment for ecosystem services (PES), monitoring systems of ecosystem services and PES, and relevant technical and policy domains.
• Assist in writing peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, working papers, technical and policy briefs, and other technical publications.
• Assist in developing tools, manuals, and guidelines.
• Contribute to managing databases on policy and regulations and other data and information gained from primary and secondary sources.
• Support to the project leader and other relevant researchers to develop reports and annual work plan and budget of relevant project(s).
• Support in strengthening the capacity of partners at national and sub-national levels, including facilitating and organizing training, workshops, and other events in collaboration with partners and country teams.
• Support in designing research activities for students and interns.
• Contribute to supervising students and interns, including facilitating and evaluating their work.
• Represent the organization in engaging with public, private, and smallholder farmers in various events – as a resource person, participant, and other relevant capacity.
• Contribute to sub-national and national, including support the Component 2 leader for contributing to global discussions on relevant topics of expertise in close coordination with the supervisor and Sri Lanka senior researchers.
• Support the project team leader to timely submissions of reports and activities on the ground.
• Assist in the planning, organization, and reporting of project-related technical events and field visits.
• Accompany the project team during field visits when necessary and assist with relevant tasks.
  

Education, knowledge and experience

• Minimum a bachelor’s degree in geographics, ecosystem services measurements, landscape monitoring system, ecological modeling, and ecological system analysis.
• At least 3 years of experience in a researcher/research assistant position in reputable international or national organizations.
• Good knowledge on payment for ecosystem services, sustainable landscape financing, green economy, and green agriculture in Sri Lanka and globally.
• Familiar with Sri Lanka policy and regulation on agriculture, forestry, ecosystem services, and green financing.
• Authoring or co-authoring research publications – journal articles, books, technical and policy briefs, and others.
• Project management, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Engagement with NGOs and academic partners.
• Engagement with smallholders, and national and sub-national government. Working or networking experience with private sectors will be beneficial.
• Involvement in resource mobilization and proposal development is considered an advantageous attribute.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for 2 (two) years with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
To apply, please visit our career site at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org/about/work-with-us/
To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Application process

The application deadline is 02 Dec 2024
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.