Researcher –Stakeholder Engagement Officer for the GCF Knuckles project

Reference number: 2457
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

This position is to get the coordinating support for implementation activities of the GCF Knuckles project, particularly in Matale area with respect to engagement with implementing agencies and individuals, assisting to form different levels of stakeholder platforms, collecting relevant information & analyses, motivating actors for value chain upgrades, leveraging existing mechanisms including market networks and assisting to implement PES mechanisms.

Duties and responsibilities

• Support in conducting research activities (data collection and analysis), particularly in collecting data at the provincial and district levels.
• Contribute to developing tools, manuals, and guidelines.
• Develop monthly and annual (detailed) work plans (including stakeholder engagement plan) with appropriate approaches in consultation with the ICRAF project management, relevant scientists and members of SIDT to be set up.
• Liaise and network with local (and national) stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, local community representatives to ensure smooth project coordination and implementations.
• Facilitate focus group discussions and conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders as required in coordination with ICRAF scientists.
• Support the project team leaders to ensure quality and manage high-quality outputs and timely submissions of consultant and partner research outputs.
• Support in research activities of students and interns, including facilitating and evaluating their work.
• Contribute to strengthening the capacity of partners at national and sub-national levels, including facilitating and organizing training, workshops, and other events in collaboration with partners and country teams.
• Represent the organization in engaging with public & private sectors, and smallholder farmers in various events – as a resource person, participant, and other relevant capacity.
• Contribute to local and national discussions on relevant topics of expertise in close coordination with the supervisor and Sri Lanka senior researchers.
• Support the project team leaders to ensure accountability processes to donor(s) by contributing to timely submissions of reports and activities on the ground.
• Contribute to project reporting, monitoring, and evaluation in collaboration with other team members and project partners.
• Participate in bi-annual adaptive management reviews of implementation
• Maintain records on stakeholder engagements (e.g. prior notice, list of attendances and contacts, gallery of photos, agenda & minutes preparation)
• Track the follow up actions of the decisions taken in the meetings
• Provide monthly summary reports comprising type of engagement/meeting, decisions taken, progress of follow up actions and remarks, and contribute to the annual donor reporting as required.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree in agriculture/forestry/Plantation management or MA in Economics/Marketing/ or MCom with management subjects or a Master’s degree in any other relevant field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in stakeholder engagement and teamwork (priority will be given to those who had worked on time bound projects successfully).
• Knowledge and experience in agroforestry systems/ watershed & landscape management and participatory nature-based solutions will be an added qualification.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple implementation activities and budgets will be an added bonus.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for 2 (two) years with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Matale, Sri Lanka.
To apply, please visit our career site at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org/about/work-with-us/
To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Application process

The application deadline is 02 Dec 2024
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.