Bioversity International Scientist Job Vacancies 2013
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Description: Bioversity International is a research-for-development organization working with partners worldwide to use and conserve agricultural and tree biodiversity for improved livelihoods, nutrition, sustainability, and productive and resilient ecosystems. Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership for a food secure future. Bioversity International has more than 300 staff and scientists worldwide working with almost 700 partners.
Background The research conducted in this position will primarily take place in the context of the CGIAR research program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS). This program aims to reduce poverty and improve food security for people whose livelihoods depend on aquatic agricultural systems. The specific approach adopted focuses on a commitment to people and place, participatory action research, gender transformative approaches, collaboration through learning and networking.
The program’s research priorities are jointly defined by the incumbent and regional partners, however, the incumbent will contribute an ecosystem service-based approach to the program. He or she should be comfortable with a broad definition of ecosystem services recognizing that agricultural systems and landscapes are both net users and providers of ecosystem services. Research by the incumbent would include a focus on how agrobiodiversity and ecosystem services contribute to agricultural productivity and resilience, human health, and nutrition.
Position Description: CLICK HERE
Job Description:
Purpose of Role Under the supervision of the Agrobiodiversity and Ecosystem Services Programme Leader, the incumbent will conduct participatory research on ecosystem services utilized and provided by aquatic agricultural systems.
The position includes a broader representation of Bioversity’s mission and objectives in Southeast Asia and will serve as the scientific focal point for Bioversity’s work on Aquatic Agricultural Systems. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring open communication between multiple CGIAR research programs in the region, including CGIAR Research Programs in humid tropic farming systems (Humidtropics) health and nutrition (A4NH), roots tubers and bananas (RTB), and water land and ecosystems (WLE). The position will be based in Penang, Malaysia with active field sites in one or more of the following locations: Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Zambia.
Specific responsibilities:
- Facilitate and lead prototype development for field and farm agroecological intensification with research partners and stakeholders.
- Develop ecosystem service-based indicators to analyze interventions and their impact on strategic livelihood outcomes.
- Design and lead high impact research projects and effective data collection on the potential for agroecological intensification and agrobiodiversity use.
- Develop complementary field and farm level models, both quantitative and qualitative, which explore alternative approaches to agroecological intensification bringing together farmer local knowledge and science-based agroecological frameworks and processes;
- While participating in the AAS diagnostic approach, contribute to identifying research priorities with local partners and stakeholders by identifying issues that can be resolved through ecosystem services.
- Advise MSc and Ph.D. students and collaborate with national scientists on the use of agrobiodiversity in agroecological intensification.
- Lead and collaborate in the development of proposals to fund research on agroecological intensification of farming systems.
- Author and publish articles in peer-reviewed international journals, prepare technical materials to make principles and practices of agroecological intensification more accessible, and participate in training of diverse users on research tools and results.
- Contribute to other organizational and programmatic activities as and when required.
- Represent Bioversity’s and AAS’s research activities in southeast Africa and globally.
- Serve as Bioversity’s scientific focal point for AAS.
- Represent Bioversity’s research program and contributions in South East Asia and coordinating/communicating cross research program activities in the region.
Minimum Qualification & Experience:
Essential qualifications & competencies:
- PhD in agroecology, agroecosystem science, international agricultural development, or another discipline appropriate for taking a quantitative systems approach at field and farm scales.
- At least five or more years of experience working on agroecological research for development; including experience in studies and quantitative analyses of agroecological farming systems.
- Strong knowledge of and experience with participatory research and a commitment to action-based research for delivering development outcomes.
- Strong statistical knowledge and substantive experience in the use of statistical software packages and/or GIS.
- A track record of scientific achievement in the design and implementation of research projects and a demonstrated publication record in relevant fields. Desirable qualifications and competencies:
- Experience working on aquatic agroecosystems, integration of ecological skills into social and/or market-based approaches;
- Knowledge of other international languages.
Skills & abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal and team-work skills.
- Ability to effectively interact with people at all levels and work effectively in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
- Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.
- well-developed analytical and synthesizing skills including the ability to write clear and concise scientific documents.
- A successful track record in developing and writing research proposals.
- Strong interdisciplinary skills and the ability to integrate participatory and field-based methods with advanced systems modeling, geographic information systems, and team-based approaches to agroecology and ecosystem services.
- Strong desire to work in an output-driven environment integrating theory with practice; combined field and analytical experience, and a desire to put scientific skills to work to tackling agricultural development problems of global significance.
- Proven quantitative skills/comfort in systems thinking, modeling and/or spatial analysis and a strong background in biology, agronomy, ecology, international agricultural development or environmental sciences;
- Proven qualitative skills in participatory farming systems research and the ability to interact/collaborate with farming families and/or groups;
Terms & Conditions:
This is an internationally recruited scientist position. Bioversity International offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance, housing allowance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars. The initial contract will be for a period of two years subject to a probationary period of one year.
Applications:
Please apply online through Bioversity Job Opportunities web page LINK HERE by clicking the “Apply” button, completing the online application, and attaching the required information, no later than 16 December 2013. Please note that in the application you are required to provide the contact details (address, telephone number, and e-mail address) of at least three referees, which Bioversity will contact for shortlisted applicants.
