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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