Senior Scientist – Rangeland Ecology and Management Specialist, Tunis, Tunisia

Description

Main purpose of position

The Senior Scientist – Rangeland Ecology and Management Specialist will provide scientific leadership on the integrated rangeland-livestock research portfolio at ICARDA, its contribution to the One CGIAR research initiatives and work of other global consortia. The position is embedded in the multidisciplinary Resilient Agrosilvopastoral Systems (RASP) Team which aims at improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers and pastoralists in the drylands of North Africa, West and South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The position will be based in Tunis, Tunisia and reports to Leader of the Rangeland Ecology and Forages Sub-team.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.

ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: (link)

All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure, and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.

Main responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of ICARDA’s rangeland ecology and management research.
• Design and conduct research to develop innovative approaches, new tools, and technologies to support sustainable rangeland restoration and management.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research on rangeland governance considering indigenous knowledge on integrated natural resources management.
• Carry out and supervise community-based rangeland rehabilitation, restoration and management activities.
• Contribute to the assessments of ecological impacts such as impact of climate change and desertification on rangelands also considering carbon sequestration potential.
• Use spatial and quantitative modeling to identify landscape-level strategies to restore degraded rangelands and conserve rangeland ecosystem goods and services.
• Supervise, lead, and mentor NRS and IRS, visiting scientists and graduate fellows related to rangeland research,
• Contribute to institutional capacity development of national partners through training, supervision, and technical backstopping.
• Publish in ISI refereed journals with a focus on rangeland ecology and management.
• Contribute actively to networking and resource mobilization activities with focus on Sub- Sahara Africa.
• Represent ICARDA in regional and international fora.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• Earned PhD degree in rangeland ecology and management or related field.

• Minimum of 8 years post doc experience preferably within an international working environment.
• Proven experience in field-based research related to rangeland monitoring, assessment, and management.
• Knowledge of rangeland plant taxonomy especially in ICARDA ‘s main geographic locations.
• Knowledge of, and experience in, participatory and community-based approaches to research- for-development.
• Strong spatial and quantitative modeling skills and a broad understanding of landscape ecology.
• Proficiency in using modern technologies such as GIS/remote sensing, cloud based mobile data collection platform and ecological modelling.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, time management and reporting skills.
• Experience in a supervisory role and willingness to contribute to graduate student supervision and show evidence of leadership in development of research projects, and career mentoring and management of a team of professional staff.
• Proven record of international quality peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Capacity to plan, design and implement research and demonstration programs.
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of French and/or Arabic is highly desirable.
• Work experience in developing countries is required.
• Ability to work in a team and supervise technical staff.
• Proven experience in partnership development and resource mobilization.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is an internationally recruited position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package, including a competitive salary, housing allowance, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars.

The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, of which the first year will be probationary period. Possibility of the extension will be subject to merit and productivity of the staff, funding availability and continued need for the position.

ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.