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Director
CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees, and Agroforestry (FTA) (Ref. 1347)
Bogor, Indonesia
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) is a nonprofit, global research organization dedicated to advancing human well-being, environmental conservation and equity.
We conduct research that enables more informed and equitable decision making about the use and management of tropical and sub-tropical forest landscapes. We help policy makers and practitioners shape effective policy, improve the management of tropical forests and address the needs and perspectives of people who depend on forests for their livelihoods. Our multidisciplinary approach considers the underlying drivers of deforestation and degradation which often lie outside the forestry sector: forces such as agriculture, infrastructure development, trade and investment policies and law enforcement.
CIFOR is looking for
Director, CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees, and Agroforestry (FTA)
Overview
The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry: Livelihoods, Landscapes and Governance (FTA) is a large integrated research program that started in 2011. It is responding to the call for urgent, strong and sustained effort focused on forest management and governance, given the crucial role of forests in some of the most important challenges of our time: climate change, poverty, environment and food security.
The FTA brings together several hundred scientists from four CGIAR Centers: CIFOR, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), two non-CGIAR organizations (CIRAD and CATIE), as well as many other research and non-research partners. The program was initiated in 2011 with a ten-year horizon. The 2014 budget is US$89 million.
The FTA is led by CIFOR, which hosts the Management Support Unit, headed by the Director of FTA. For further information about FTA, see: www.cifor.org/forests-trees-agroforestry
Summary of responsibilities 1. Provide intellectual leadership in building a shared vision for the FTA research agenda and impact pathways with a strategic perspective through which research outcomes lead to the achievement of long-term impacts.
2. Coordinate, monitor and support the work of FTA theme coordinators and focal points.
3. Facilitate and oversee the delivery of research outputs and contributions towards outcomes and impacts across themes in the program.
4. Coordinate FTA work plans, budgets, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, including working closely with the Consortium Office, Independent Evaluation Arrangement, Independent Science and Partnership Council and other CGIAR or related institutions
Principal accountabilities
With guidance from CIFOR’s Deputy Director General for Research and the FTA Steering Committee, the Director of FTA will be responsible for the following:
Management of FTA planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation • Develop and update the FTA research and impact strategy, which will include the compilation of the annual program of work and budget and rolling three-year operational plans.
• In close collaboration with cross-cutting theme coordinators, oversee the implementation of cross-cutting themes in the framework of a results-based management system.
• Put in place all the necessary steps, such as policy engagement and communication strategies, in order for research outputs to contribute to achieving expected outcomes and impacts.
• Establish an internal platform for communication and coordination across the FTA thematic and cross-cutting themes in order to ensure synergies in the program implementation.
• Oversee progress of teams in delivering expected research outputs through the semi-annual technical reports (traffic-light reports).
Director
CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees, and Agroforestry (FTA) (Ref. 1347)
Bogor, Indonesia
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) is a nonprofit, global research organization dedicated to advancing human well-being, environmental conservation and equity.
We conduct research that enables more informed and equitable decision making about the use and management of tropical and sub-tropical forest landscapes. We help policy makers and practitioners shape effective policy, improve the management of tropical forests and address the needs and perspectives of people who depend on forests for their livelihoods. Our multidisciplinary approach considers the underlying drivers of deforestation and degradation which often lie outside the forestry sector: forces such as agriculture, infrastructure development, trade and investment policies and law enforcement.
CIFOR is looking for
Director, CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees, and Agroforestry (FTA)
Overview
The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry: Livelihoods, Landscapes and Governance (FTA) is a large integrated research program that started in 2011. It is responding to the call for urgent, strong and sustained effort focused on forest management and governance, given the crucial role of forests in some of the most important challenges of our time: climate change, poverty, environment and food security.
The FTA brings together several hundred scientists from four CGIAR Centers: CIFOR, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), two non-CGIAR organizations (CIRAD and CATIE), as well as many other research and non-research partners. The program was initiated in 2011 with a ten-year horizon. The 2014 budget is US$89 million.
The FTA is led by CIFOR, which hosts the Management Support Unit, headed by the Director of FTA. For further information about FTA, see: www.cifor.org/forests-trees-agroforestry
Summary of responsibilities 1. Provide intellectual leadership in building a shared vision for the FTA research agenda and impact pathways with a strategic perspective through which research outcomes lead to the achievement of long-term impacts.
2. Coordinate, monitor and support the work of FTA theme coordinators and focal points.
3. Facilitate and oversee the delivery of research outputs and contributions towards outcomes and impacts across themes in the program.
4. Coordinate FTA work plans, budgets, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, including working closely with the Consortium Office, Independent Evaluation Arrangement, Independent Science and Partnership Council and other CGIAR or related institutions
Principal accountabilities
With guidance from CIFOR’s Deputy Director General for Research and the FTA Steering Committee, the Director of FTA will be responsible for the following:
Management of FTA planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation • Develop and update the FTA research and impact strategy, which will include the compilation of the annual program of work and budget and rolling three-year operational plans.
• In close collaboration with cross-cutting theme coordinators, oversee the implementation of cross-cutting themes in the framework of a results-based management system.
• Put in place all the necessary steps, such as policy engagement and communication strategies, in order for research outputs to contribute to achieving expected outcomes and impacts.
• Establish an internal platform for communication and coordination across the FTA thematic and cross-cutting themes in order to ensure synergies in the program implementation.
• Oversee progress of teams in delivering expected research outputs through the semi-annual technical reports (traffic-light reports).
• Coordinate annual reporting to the Consortium Board for all program participants.
• Supervise the design and implementation of an appropriate monitoring and evaluation system built on a sound theory of change and realistic impact pathways.
• In consultation with the gender coordinator and theme leaders, ensure proper consideration is given to gender and related issues in the programming, budgeting and implementation of FTA research and action activities.
• Coordinate internal and external reviews and evaluations, as requested by the Steering Committee, the Consortium Board or the Fund Council.
• Supervise the design and implementation of an appropriate monitoring and evaluation system built on a sound theory of change and realistic impact pathways.
• In consultation with the gender coordinator and theme leaders, ensure proper consideration is given to gender and related issues in the programming, budgeting and implementation of FTA research and action activities.
• Coordinate internal and external reviews and evaluations, as requested by the Steering Committee, the Consortium Board or the Fund Council.
• Supervise staff in the Management Support Unit.
• Work closely with the Consortium Office and other CGIAR institutions for all of the above tasks.
Leadership and support to science and impact orientation • Provide overall direction to and facilitate collaboration among FTA theme leaders, supplementing and complementing accountabilities of the organizations participating in the program.
• Facilitate collaboration and seek synergies among program participants, including data management, peer review processes, monitoring and evaluation and impact assessment.
• Build a shared vision among program participants for FTA objectives, ensuring adequate synergies and collaboration across the different contributing research themes.
• Ensure collaboration between FTA and other CRPs in order to complement the different CRPs’ research agendas and in the achievement of broader system level outcomes.
• Stimulate the development and adoption of cutting edge knowledge and methodologies in the research program, as well as innovative ways to achieve the program outcomes.
• Organize periodic FTA meetings to bring together scientists from across the CRP to present results, discuss and exchange research methods, develop strategies to maximize impacts and build stronger collaboration.
Coordination and outreach
• Support, manage and coordinate meetings of the FTA Steering Committee.
• Coordinate FTA level communication functions as needed to supplement and complement center-level outreach activities.
• Represent FTA at international meetings, maintain donor relations and engage in resource mobilization activities as needed and required.
• Ensure coordination and information flow among FTA partners, as well as with other CGIAR Centers, CRPs and CGIAR system bodies and working groups.
Requirements
Education, knowledge and experience • PhD in a relevant discipline with at least 15 years of relevant experience, including research management experience in an international, multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Familiarity with the current state of knowledge, policy and practice across a substantial portion of the FTA research agenda.
• Work closely with the Consortium Office and other CGIAR institutions for all of the above tasks.
Leadership and support to science and impact orientation • Provide overall direction to and facilitate collaboration among FTA theme leaders, supplementing and complementing accountabilities of the organizations participating in the program.
• Facilitate collaboration and seek synergies among program participants, including data management, peer review processes, monitoring and evaluation and impact assessment.
• Build a shared vision among program participants for FTA objectives, ensuring adequate synergies and collaboration across the different contributing research themes.
• Ensure collaboration between FTA and other CRPs in order to complement the different CRPs’ research agendas and in the achievement of broader system level outcomes.
• Stimulate the development and adoption of cutting edge knowledge and methodologies in the research program, as well as innovative ways to achieve the program outcomes.
• Organize periodic FTA meetings to bring together scientists from across the CRP to present results, discuss and exchange research methods, develop strategies to maximize impacts and build stronger collaboration.
Coordination and outreach
• Support, manage and coordinate meetings of the FTA Steering Committee.
• Coordinate FTA level communication functions as needed to supplement and complement center-level outreach activities.
• Represent FTA at international meetings, maintain donor relations and engage in resource mobilization activities as needed and required.
• Ensure coordination and information flow among FTA partners, as well as with other CGIAR Centers, CRPs and CGIAR system bodies and working groups.
Requirements
Education, knowledge and experience • PhD in a relevant discipline with at least 15 years of relevant experience, including research management experience in an international, multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Familiarity with the current state of knowledge, policy and practice across a substantial portion of the FTA research agenda.
• Proven expertise in leading collaborative research.
• Proven expertise in the management of large integrated complex programs.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other international languages is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience of the CGIAR and its operations.
Personal attributes and competencies • Strong leadership skills and ability to engage in strategic planning with sound analytical skills and good judgment.
• An open and transparent leadership style, encouraging participatory processes and promoting fairness.
• An astute manager, able to manage human resources and administrative matters with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, to interact constructively with people across different cultures, disciplines and institutions.
Application process
• The application deadline is 31 January 2014
• We will acknowledge all applications, however, we will contact only short-listed candidates.
Please send your letter of interest and CV, including contact information for three referees, to:
Human Resources Department, CIFOR
To learn more about the position and to apply please visit our career page at cifor.org/careers.
• Proven expertise in the management of large integrated complex programs.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other international languages is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience of the CGIAR and its operations.
Personal attributes and competencies • Strong leadership skills and ability to engage in strategic planning with sound analytical skills and good judgment.
• An open and transparent leadership style, encouraging participatory processes and promoting fairness.
• An astute manager, able to manage human resources and administrative matters with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, to interact constructively with people across different cultures, disciplines and institutions.
Application process
• The application deadline is 31 January 2014
• We will acknowledge all applications, however, we will contact only short-listed candidates.
Please send your letter of interest and CV, including contact information for three referees, to:
Human Resources Department, CIFOR
To learn more about the position and to apply please visit our career page at cifor.org/careers.
