Note that this is a re-advertisement with adjusted description following
changes at the institutes.
WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTRE (ICRAF)
RECRUITING HEAD OF RESEARCH METHODS GROUP (RMG)
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is supported by the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), generates
science-based knowledge about the complex role that trees play in
agricultural landscapes, and uses its research to ensure that policies
and practices benefit the poor and the environment. Our vision is an
'agroforestry transformation' in the developing world-a massive increase
in the use of trees on landscapes by smallholder rural households to
ensure security in food, nutrition, income, health, shelter and energy,
and a regenerated environment. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) conducts research in 23 countries in
Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The Africa-based, globally networked International Livestock Research
Institute (ILRI) helps reduce poverty, hunger and environmental
degradation by enhancing animal agriculture in developing countries.
ILRI positions its work at the dynamic interface of poverty alleviation
and sustainable livestock livelihoods. Our staff work in partnerships
and alliances with hundreds of organisations in developed and developing
countries, including some of the finest universities and research
institutions in the world. ILRI's headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya,
with a second principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ILRI staff are
also based in 7 partner institutions in other parts of Africa, in Asia
and Latin America. ILRI employs more than 700 staff from about 40
countries and is also one of the 15 centres around the world sponsored
by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR).
The position
The ICRAF/ILRI Research Methods Group (RMG) is a joint unit of the two
organizations. Its purpose is to continually drive and support the
improvement in quality of the complex, integrative, multi-scale research
for development undertaken by ILRI and ICRAF. It does this through
advice to research managers and support to project teams, scientists,
partners and students. Though the RMG is a small unit, it can be very
influential in the evolution of approaches to research of the institutes
and in determining the effectiveness of research projects. ICRAF and
ILRI are currently recruiting for a new Head of the Research Methods
Group to be based at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya reporting
directly to the ICRAF Deputy Director General and to an RMG Advisory
Group comprising of senior staff from both ILRI and ICRAF. While the
background of the Head is likely to be in statistics, research methods
or similar, the successful candidate will take a broad view of research
processes and the levels at which principled thinking on methods can
improve the quality and effectiveness of research. They will need to
engage with managers and scientists at all levels, introducing
innovative methods and approaches drawn from across a wide spectrum of
applied research disciplines.
Duties and responsibilities:
1. Advise ICRAF and ILRI senior management, and guide
implementation, of research quality systems to maintain and improve
the quality of their research. This includes, but is not limited to,
policies and processes for:
* Research planning
* Integrating research with development and other
activities
* Reviewing research plans, progress and outputs
* Providing incentives that support quality
At ICRAF, this activity will be carried out in collaboration
with ICRAF's Chief Science Advisor whose primary institutional
responsibility is to strengthen the science at ICRAF.
2. Design, manage and monitor a service and team providing
technical support in: research design, research data management
and analysis (including spatial GIS/RS services) to project teams,
scientists, partners and students. This includes, but is not limited
to:
* Engaging with project teams in the use of research
methods during research planning,
implementation, monitoring and reporting
* Providing access to current tools and expertise required
by the evolving research agenda of ILRI and ICRAF
* Identifying gaps in available methods and finding ways
of overcoming them
* Ensuring research data of the institutes is managed in a
way that maximises their value, by designing, implementing
and monitoring suitable policies and processes.
* Ensuring high quality data are accessible and usable,
both within the institutes and in the public domain
and are securely archived
* Designing and implementing policies for the provision of
statistical, data management and spatial software.
* Building the technical skills of scientists in research
design, data management and analysis
* Ensuring these services are available to projects based
both at centre headquarters and elsewhere.
3. Support the improvement of capacity in research methods for
agricultural, environmental and rural development within the East and
Southern Africa region generally.
4. Provide overall leadership of the group, including development
of RMG strategies, ensuring continued funding, monitoring performance
and staff development, and guiding the continued RMG alignment of
ILRI and ICRAF.
5. As a senior staff member of ICRAF and ILRI, take part in
strategic planning, monitoring and review of the institutes and
represent them in external fora.
Minimum qualifications and skills
1. Postgraduate qualification in quantitative research methods such
as Applied Statistics or Social Science Research Methods.
2. Extensive experience, at least 10 years, in the design and
analysis of problem-solving applied research that integrates social
and biophysical aspects, preferably in natural resource management
or rural development.
3. Familiarity with the current trends and priorities in Research
for Development in tropical regions.
4. Understanding of the principles of research methods within many
disciplines, including qualitative methods.
5. Capacity to identify and respond to changing needs,
incorporating innovative methods & approaches to new problems.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain strong
networks with other researchers and research support staff,
including skills in communicating technical information and
influencing researchers.
7. Ability to communicate with and influence senior managers.
8. Experience and interest in teaching research methods to non-
specialists and in mentoring
9. Strong management skills, ability to effectively lead and manage
people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines
10. Commitment to the goals of ICRAF and ILRI.
ICRAF offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package,
and a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. The position
is for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a six (6) month
probation period, assessment of performance and availability of
resources. Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating
their suitability for the above position against the qualifications and
skills provided in the detailed advertisement, together with detailed
curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees. All
correspondence should be addressed to the Human Resources Unit, World
Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) via email: [log in to unmask] Applicants
should indicate "Application for Head of Research Methods Group (RMG)"
on their email submissions.
Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be
contacted.
We invite you to learn more about ICRAF by accessing our web site:
http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org
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