Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Re-advertised)
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
About Us
CIFOR & ICRAF in action
Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. It is the shared operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), two independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers working together through a common strategy, governance and leadership structure.
CIFOR and ICRAF bring together decades of scientific leadership in forests, trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems and livelihoods. CIFOR, headquartered in Bogor, Indonesia, advances research on forests and landscape management to inform policies and practices that improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity. ICRAF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment, generating knowledge that helps governments, development partners and farmers make farming and livelihoods more sustainable.
Overview
The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) works at the nexus of five interconnected areas Biodiversity, Climate, Value chains, Food, Equity where trees can make a difference. CIFOR-ICRAF connects science with action, creating solutions from the ground up through inclusive partnerships, transdisciplinary research, and demand-driven innovation. Our vision is “An equitable world in which viable livelihoods in resilient landscapes foster well-being for people, trees and the environment.” The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will support implementation of the Regreening Africa and K4GGWA programs, with a particular focus on the intersection of stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and community forestry. The role will contribute to Component 3 of the K4GGWA program by coordinating program activities, supporting applied research and evidence generation, engaging government, community, civil society and implementing partners, and translating research findings into policy-relevant outputs and practical recommendations for locally led landscape restoration and community forestry initiatives. The Fellow will also support scientific publication, proposal development, project design and fundraising efforts aligned with CIFOR-ICRAF’s work on trees, forests, agroforestry landscapes and resilient livelihoods.
Job Description
· Coordinate and support implementation of program activities, especially Component 3 of the K4GGWA program, with emphasis on stakeholder engagement, policy processes, community forestry, landscape restoration and locally led regreening initiatives.
· Support applied research activities, including research design, qualitative and mixed-methods data collection, stakeholder mapping, policy and institutional analysis, synthesis of evidence, and preparation of scientific articles, policy briefs, technical reports and other knowledge products.
· Travel nationally and internationally for field activities, stakeholder consultations, partner meetings, learning events and other program-related engagements.
· Design and facilitate stakeholder engagement processes, including workshops, consultations, training and learning events with government agencies, community forestry groups, producer organizations, civil society partners, implementing organizations and other landscape actors.
· Analyze relevant forest, land restoration, agroforestry, climate, tenure and natural resource governance policies, strategies and institutional frameworks, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for program teams, partners and policy stakeholders.
· Document and analyze community forestry, farmer-managed natural regeneration, landscape restoration and locally led natural resource management practices, with attention to governance arrangements, incentives, inclusion, livelihoods and enabling policy conditions.
· Support fundraising activities, including proposal writing and project development, particularly for initiatives related to community forestry, landscape restoration, stakeholder engagement, policy influence and evidence-based scaling of regreening practices.
· Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor in support of program implementation, research delivery, stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing objectives
Requirements
· A doctoral degree or PhD in Sociology, forestry, natural resource governance, environmental policy, political ecology, geography, development studies, environmental studies or a closely related field.
· At least five years’ relevant experience designing, facilitating or analyzing stakeholder engagement processes involving government institutions, community groups, civil society organizations, research partners or development actors in forestry, agroforestry, landscape restoration, natural resource governance or related fields.
· Experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research, including participatory data collection, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, stakeholder mapping, policy analysis, institutional analysis and synthesis of evidence for policy or practice.
· Proven record of producing peer-reviewed publications and policy-relevant knowledge products, such as policy briefs, technical reports, evidence syntheses, learning notes or guidance materials for practitioner and policy audiences.
· Demonstrated knowledge of community forestry, forest and landscape restoration, farmer-managed natural regeneration, agroforestry systems or locally led natural resource management in African drylands or similar contexts.
· Demonstrated ability to analyze policy and institutional contexts and communicate evidence clearly to government, donor, community and implementation partners.
· Excellent written and spoken English is required; working knowledge of French will be an added advantage, given the duty station in Burkina Faso and the likely need to engage Francophone stakeholders.
· Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment and ethical conduct in managing research, stakeholder engagement and partner relationships.
Education, Experience and Technical skills
•A doctoral degree or PhD in Sociology, forestry, natural resource governance, environmental policy, political ecology, geography, development studies, environmental studies or a closely related field. •At least five years’ relevant experience designing, facilitating or analyzing stakeholder engagement processes involving government institutions, community groups, civil society organizations, research partners or development actors in forestry, agroforestry, landscape restoration, natural resource governance or related fields. •Experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research, including participatory data collection, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, stakeholder mapping, policy analysis, institutional analysis and synthesis of evidence for policy or practice.
Terms and conditions
•This position is offered on post-doctoral terms. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience. •The initial appointment will be for two (2) years, with a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources. •The duty station will be in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso CIFOR-ICRAF Offices. •Candidates must have the right to live and work in Burkina Faso.
