Regional Coordinator for Latin America

About our organization

The World Agroforestry Centre (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry or ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre's work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers - working in close collaboration with partners - are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health. The Centre's headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

ICRAF activities in Latin America are carried out in the Amazon Basin. Regional coordination is located in Lima-Peru, with additional offices in the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon. The regional team is formed by 24 staff members and collaborators working on research, administration, and communication. ICRAF in the Amazon contributes to research and development interventions that concurrently meet the short- and long-term needs of environmental conservation and the economic wellbeing of the local population. It works towards the identification, development and dissemination of systems, practices and policies that avoid further deforestation, and towards supporting local governments and civil society in their goals related to welfare, environmental conservation, and improved governance.


The Position:
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is recruiting for the position of Regional Coordinator in Latin America to be based at its regional office in Lima, Peru. The position will report to ICRAF's Deputy Director General, with the following duties and responsibilities:

Management of planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation
-Guides and contributes to the development of ideas and operational plans from Latin America that are consistent with ICRAF's strategy and the new CGIAR Consortium, in order to produce International Public Goods (IPGs).
-Ensures coherence and integration of Latin America's regional work with the Centre's Medium Term Plan output targets, by coordinating activities with the leaders of the Centre's Global Research Programs.
-Coordinates the annual regional planning of work and budget, as well as its monitoring and reporting.
-Works with national and regional partners in research planning, incorporating national priorities within the regional research agenda, and supporting the implementation of these priorities by national research systems of the region.
-Designs and implements an appropriate internal monitoring and evaluation system for the region.

Partnership building and strengthening
-Develops and maintains Latin America and host country relations, and establishes and updates collaborative agreements with strategically-chosen partners at regional and country levels.
-Represents the Centre in scientific, diplomatic, training and other fora in the region and countries -- and sometimes internationally.
-Seeks synergies and integration with institutions engaged in the implementation of the CGIAR Research Programs in the region

Resource mobilization
-Identifies donors and partners at the regional level for proposals, institutions, and personnel that will contribute to institutional goals.
-Oversees the contributions of regional scientists in the writing of proposals for the Centre's Global Research Programs.
-Participates directly in resource mobilization by maintaining relations, visiting and hosting donor delegations.

Implementation and leadership
-Mobilizes the regional staff to successfully delivery their planned outputs to regional and global research projects.
-Provides technical and scientific support to assist regional team members to raise the quality and quantity of their outputs, including building a conducive environment for rigorous analysis and critical enquiry.
-In collaboration with Head of Communications and leaders of the Global Research Projects, plans and coordinates the write-up and dissemination of the region's research results for donor, scientific and public audiences.
-Undertakes research in one or more of the Global Research Projects, and/or in one or more components of the CGIAR Research Programs, publishing in the scientific media, and ensuring sound data management practices for their own and others work.
-Undertakes any other duties as directed by the supervisor and ICRAF's Senior Leadership Team.


The successful applicant will have:
Education, knowledge and experience
-PhD in forestry, agricultural sciences, economics, ecology or related discipline with at least 10 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 research agenda on sustainable land use systems.
-Proven expertise in leading collaborative research.
-Proven track record of scientific publications.
-Proven fund-raising record.
-Fluency in English and Spanish is required; proficiency in Portuguese is an asset.
-Working experience in Latin America is an asset.
Personal attributes and competencies
-Have strong leadership skills, able to engage in strategic planning with sound analytical ability and good judgment.
-Is an astute manager, able to manage human resources and administrative matters efficiently and effectively.
-Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact constructively with people across different cultures, disciplines, and institutions.
-Willingness to travel frequently across the region and internationally.

Terms of Offer
ICRAF offers a competitive remuneration in USD commensurate with skills and experience.
The appointment will be for a period of two years with a possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.

Contact:
Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications/skills and a detailed curriculum vitae, with names and addresses of three referees (including telephone and email address).

All correspondence should be addressed to;
Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya;
Tel +254 20 7224000; Fax +254 20 7224001
or
via email: icrafhru@cgiar.org.
Applicants should indicate "Application for Regional Coordinator Latin America" on their application letters OR email submissions. Applications will be considered until 30 April, 2011.

ICRAF offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment, believe that staff diversity promotes excellence, and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.

If you do not hear from us by 15th June, 2011, please consider your application unsuccessful.