Center For International Forestry Research (CIFOR) Careers

Overview

• This position serves to deliver the technical aspects of CIFOR-ICRAF’s private sector hub Resilient Landscape. Resilient Landscapes turns the scientific knowledge of CIFOR-ICRAF into impact investment opportunities that transform landscapes and communities worldwide.
• The Project Designer supports strategic development and design of multiple international projects driven by impact.
• The position requires skills at the interface of scientific knowledge, landscape transformation project design and impact investment.
• The project Designer produces high-quality project designs supporting high-impact investments, in line with CIFOR-ICRAF’s mission.

Duties and responsibilities

1.Design projects.

• Based on business, scientific and technical inputs, formulate project designs with an optimized risk-impact ratio and with a duly documented financial and impact.

2. Support project implementation

• When mandated, support the successful implementation of invested projects, seeking to adapt design in a spirit of permanent data driven improvement and seizing opportunities of bringing new science when available.

3. Knowledge asset watch

• Keep up-to-date with CIOFOR-ICRAF’s work that is relevant to impact investment, translate CIFOR-ICRAF’s knowledge assets into actionable elements of project design and maintain a network of actionable contacts inside the organization and its scientific and operational partners.

Requirements

• Degree or significant project experience in Agronomy, Forestry, ecology, oriented towards landscape operations.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience designing and implementing rural development projects with quantified results.
• Track record of interaction with businesses and scientific organizations, resulting in familiarity with concepts and jargons of both.
• Demonstrated project design and management skills, with a specific expertise operational expertise in the design of projects with a carbon credit component.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must. Other languages with strong representation in the intertropical area is a differential.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Degree or significant project experience in Agronomy, Forestry, ecology, oriented towards landscape operations.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience designing and implementing rural development projects with quantified results.
• Track record of interaction with businesses and scientific organizations, resulting in familiarity with concepts and jargons of both.
• Demonstrated project design and management skills, with a specific expertise operational expertise in the design of projects with a carbon credit component.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must. Other languages with strong representation in the intertropical area is a differential.

Overview

• The role is to ensure that donor budgets and reports are prepared, reviewed, and submitted on timely basis ensuring compliance with relevant donor rules and regulations.
• Regular communication with administrators/budget holders on their budgets versus expenditure.

Summary of responsibilities
Restricted Grants Monitoring:

• Assist in budget and expenditure monitoring for all restricted grants for the assigned units, regions, and Themes.
• Be a key lead player and advisor in grants accounting and management to ensure proper coding and posting of expenses in the system as well as full compliance with the donor and CIFOR-ICRAF requirements.
• Regularly review and analyze grant expenses and advise the stakeholders on expenditure trends and areas with over or under expenditure.
• Assist in developing financial management mechanisms that minimize financial risk and maintain internal financial control safeguards/mechanisms on restricted grants activities.

Restricted Grants Reporting and Compliance:

• Prepare and submit all units/themes donor financial reports on timely basis and ensure that the reports comply with all donor requirements.
• Assist in the review of Donor Financial Reports from the regional offices ensuring that they have been done as per the donor and ICRAF requirements before presentation for internal ICRAF approval.
• Ensure all the expenses reported have been reviewed and approved by the project holder and project managers before sharing for approval.
• Preparation of donor invoices for funds request as well as other invoices as may be requested from time to time.
• Ensure adjustments are done on a timely manner and any other issue affecting the report has been addressed.
• Ensure funds follow up from donors to ensure Centre’s cash flow is not affected.
• Coordinate project audits as per the donor agreement; provide all support documents and clarifications that are raised by the auditors.

Partners Financial Management Monitoring:

• Follow up on partner financial monitoring for the restricted grants in the regions/units.
• Assist in the financial management capability assessment of partners.
• Review partner sub-agreements to ensure they are in line with donor and CIFOR-ICRAF policy.
• Follow up on partner financial reports, review, and post expenses in the system.
• Prepare monthly ageing of partners for the units responsible for and follow up on overdue liquidations Follow up on partner financial statement, invoices, and share this for payment processing.
• Restricted Grants Budget review.
• Follow up on budget revision and extensions for on-going restricted grants with the Project management team and ensure the revised budget has been posted on My-Tree system.

Internal Stakeholders Reporting:

• Prepare project performance reports including the funding status and burn rates and share with the project managers.
• Ensure continual communication with project staff on matters related to partners.

Project and Grants Audits:

• Plan and coordinate audits for restricted grants as per the donor agreements for all assigned unit projects.
• Ensure that the audit reports are shared with the donor.
• Ensure audit recommendations are followed up and implemented.

Internal &External Audits:

• Assist in providing partner and Account receivable schedules.
• Assist in providing support documents as per the audit sample and following on partner confirmations.

Donor, Partner agreements and proposal review:

• Review donor agreements financial requirement and ensure the budget is fully costed, the agreement has clear reporting timelines and check if an audit is required.
• Review partner agreements and ensure the reporting timelines are clear and in line with the donor agreement, if the partner has an administrative cost and the end dates are before the grant end dates.

Internal Control System:

• Adhere to internal control systems that will ensure that the centre attains its objectives, produce accurate and reliable data for decision making, ensure compliance to policies and laws of host countries and safeguard the center assets.
• Identify and assess changes that could significantly impact the system of internal control in the center.
• Evaluate and communicate internal control deficiencies in a timely manner to supervisor.
• Prepare and analyze financial data for budget estimates provided by the various units and themes for the annual financial planning (POWB).
• Monitor budget expenditures for the units at the HQ, the regions and country offices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce. CPA(K).
• 7 years’ experience in accounting, 3 of which should be in grants management.
• Exposure to an ERP
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Experience in an NGO or international organization environment.
• Personal attributes and competencies:
• Strong team player with ability to work in virtual teams.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals within a broad range of cultural environments.
• Proficiency in database applications and MS office suite and Unit4 Business World (Aggresso).
• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong self-starter with initiative to identify opportunities and take appropriate action.

Overview:

• As the Theme Leader, you will lead the development and implementation of a strategy and project portfolio that delivers impact at scale for socio-economic development based on sustainable natural resource management.

Duties and responsibilities
Leadership in R&D on sustainable value chains and investments:

• Formulate ground-breaking research for development on sustainable value chains and investments, influencing policy and driving development impact.
• Define and achieve medium-term KPIs and annual goals, contributing to institutional targets and adjusting strategies for impact at scale.
• Cultivate transformative partnerships with research, donors, policy, and development organizations, driving collaborative efforts for thematic and institutional goals.
• Identify and prioritize areas for the theme, potentially modifying current focus areas.
• Ensure career and capacity development opportunities for staff, including mentoring scientists and PhD students.

Develop and lead fundraising strategy:

• Lead the strategic development of project proposals and donor relationships, creating a robust project portfolio.
• Oversee project sequencing, content, and implementation for sustainable funding, staff development, and policy contribution.

Oversight of analytical and methodological approaches:

• Provide scientific and strategic guidance, ensuring research aligns with evidence-based development approaches.
• Support progress along impact pathways, making research relevant to policy, private sector, and practitioner communities.

Generation of robust evidence and scientific outputs:

• Lead the publication of high-impact scientific articles, ensuring accessibility and quality.
• Safeguard evidence integrity and align scientific outputs with staffing and funding levels.
• Convey scientific evidence to stakeholders through user-friendly products and engagement activities.

Deliver impact at scale:

• Develop and implement scaling strategies, identifying critical points in impact pathways for socio-economic development.
• Oversee business and investment case development in collaboration with CIFOR-ICRAF's Resilient Landscapes.
• Foster integration of evidence-based scaling research and document achieved impact.
• Work closely with relevant units to deliver, monitor, and document research outcomes and impacts at scale.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Subject matter authority for tropical commodities value chains.
• Ph.D. and/or MBA in a relevant disciplinary field.
• At least 15 years of proven experience if lacking degrees in the relevant field.
• Expertise in forest products, tree crops, or agri-food value chains.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Thought leadership on value chains in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• Proven track record in research and development initiatives.
• Documented leadership and management experience.
• Strong track record in business development and resource mobilization.
• Experience in negotiating with executives, managers, and sustainability directors.

• The Program Coordinator provides support in this to science team leaders and heads of country/regional programs and Principal Investigators in those teams. Each Program Coordinator will support 2-3 such teams, depending on the size of teams.

Duties and responsibilities
Project Management

Provide Project Management function for projects and activities.

• Collaborate closely with research teams/country programs assigned to the incumbent, for planning, implementation and closing of project activities.
• Coordinate start?ups (inception meetings), implementation, and closing phases of project management cycles for projects.
• Support finance and team leaders where needed with annual planning and budgeting processes of projects.
• Liaise with the Quality for Impact (Q4I) team and PIs on Theory of Change – Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact Assessment (MELIA) to ensure lessons are fed back to project development.
• Monitoring of projects, including ensuring regular check-ins with country teams and partners on implementation of activities, contractual and financial requirements (such as co-funding, Budget vs Actuals etc.).
• Identify and take action to mitigate potential risks within projects and the work area.

Ensure that the projects are compliant with funder requirements as well as CIFOR-ICRAF policies.

• Review and assess project documents, contracts, and related documentation to understand and communicate funder requirements to project teams.
• Facilitate review of agreements by other units, including legal and finance units.
• Ensure projects meet targets by ensuring that teams and individuals document progress and meet the donor’s reporting requirements.
• Support the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. sections of reports, analysis and draft TORs for partners and consultants in collaboration with the PI.
• Manage the production and processing of the required funder technical reports, monitor the completion of project deliverables, monitor project resource use, and initiate corrective action where necessary, ensuring the quality and completion of the reports is according to funder requirement and CIFOR-ICRAF standard.
• Ensure in collaboration with the Financial Services Unit that CIFOR-ICRAF’s budgetary requirements are met, and internal reports are delivered on time.
• Advise the PIs and funder on issues that may impact the achievement of the project outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance). Coordinate and negotiate amendments if needed in liaison with PIs and funders.
• Support PI with other tasks as needed.

Coordination

• Focal point of projects ensuring an efficient exchange of information between CIFOR-ICRAF, the funder and the implementing partners
• Engagement with strategic partners and knowledge sharing partners (i.e. for MOU development and implementation), coordinate flow of information between the project steering committee, projec
• Ensure that implementing partners, consultants and CIFOR-ICRAF country staff are fully briefed on their responsibilities, deliverables, work plans, budgets, partnerships, and project status.
• Coordinate with other research teams, country and regional programs, Resource Mobilization Unit (RMU), Communication, Outreach and Engagement (COE) team, Financial Services Unit (FSU), Admin/operations and HR where needed to facilitate effective project implementation and address bottlenecks.
• Keep oversight of entire portfolio of projects in a science team or country program in support of the team leader.

Support CIFOR-ICRAF resource mobilization efforts

• Under the coordination of RMU, contribute to fund raising process though networking and providing related data requirements to support scientists and RMU in proposal/concept note development, specifically using the knowledge of other current and past projects.

Others

• Representation at relevant meetings with visitors/funders, in coordination with RMU/specific scientists/research teams/projects. Participates in and or coordinates field missions, including provision of guidance to external parties (funding or strategic partners, government officials) and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Support the head of PMU in identifying areas of improvement and implementing improvements of the project management process at CIFOR-ICRAF.
• Support policy development, including review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Details of duties, assignments and objectives will be further discussed and laid out in the staff’s annual performance contract.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• 7 years of relevant professional experience including 2 years’ Global experience.
• Familiarity with the CGIAR systems, networks and processes is preferred.
• Experience in working on large projects.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent written and spoken command of the English language is essential; knowledge of other major international languages will be an advantage.
• Strong computer skills in all the main Microsoft office programs and database management.

The application deadline is 15 Feb 2024

• The Communications Specialist will actively communicate about key CIMMYT projects in Africa on a regular basis.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop and execute the communications strategy for CGIAR Plant Health Initiative under the including identifying audiences and opportunities for engagement, in partnership with Initiative leadership. 
• Ensure coordination and alignment with CGIAR’s broader communications strategy around the Portfolio of Initiatives. 
• Work with other Initiative-level communicators, Communications & Outreach (C&O) Initiative working group lead, Center Communications Leads to ensure flow of information between Initiatives, as well as with the C&O Global Group. 
• Engage with C&O working groups as appropriate to ensure coordinated engagement (e.g., knowledge management, event participation, stakeholder engagement). 
• Work with Initiative team to develop clear messages and means of communicating research, particularly to non-research audiences.
• Advise Initiative team on how to generate awareness and publicity for the work.
• Actively engage in planning, monitoring, and executing communication activities as part of the Initiative.
• Develop or oversee the development of strategic communications content, including blogs, interactives, infographics, videos, social media. 
• Monitor global and regional media for Initiative-related opportunities and actively engage with relevant reporters on Initiative work via press releases, relationship building, etc., as appropriate. 
• Organize internal or external support for more elaborate or specialized communication tasks, events, publications, or other outputs (e.g., event planning and logistical support, editing, graphic design, media engagement).
• Support development of Initiative microsite on cgiar.org
• Keep websites related to the Initiative current, relevant, and up to date and in consultation with CGIAR guidelines. Maintain Initiative social media presence (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) and ensure Initiative videos are properly tagged, described, and posted to CGIAR YouTube channels.
• Ensure the Initiative is fully compliant with CGIAR Initiative branding and funder acknowledgement guidelines.
• Protect and promote the correct use of the Initiative brand in all internal and external communication.
• Ensure Initiative staff is aware of the communication and branding/funder acknowledgement guidelines and has appropriate resources to comply.
• Manage Initiative-level knowledge management needs, including photo databases and curation of papers and publications to CGIAR databases and repositories. 
• Actively participate and engage in the global CGIAR C&O team. 

Other duties as assigned.

• Requirements Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or other relevant field and/or a minimum five years’ experience in communications Excellent writing and critical thinking skills and ability to convey complex data ideas and messages in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or other relevant field and/or a minimum five years’ experience in communications 
• Excellent writing and critical thinking skills and ability to convey complex data ideas and messages in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. 
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.

Overview

• The purpose of this position is to support and assist the maize line development breeders and researchers in managing maize nurseries and related activities at the CIMMYT-managed research station in Kiboko.
• By effectively managing these responsibilities, the Field Technician contributes to the success of CIMMYT’s efforts to develop multiple stress tolerant, improved maize germplasm for the benefit of farmers in Eastern Africa and beyond.

Duties and responsibilities

• Management of Maize Nurseries Implement appropriate agronomic practices, including fertilizer application, irrigation, weed control, and pest control, following prescribed guidelines. Coordinate with the Research Station Manager to ensure timely preparation of land for timely nursery plantings, adhering to the experimental design and breeder's instructions.
• Ensure timely and appropriate pollination of different nurseries based on breeders' instructions.
• Document input receipts and monitor input usage. 
• Prepare requests for inputs in advance to ensure smooth operations and planning. 
• Data Collection Collect accurate and relevant data from nurseries using electronic gadgets for data collection and upload to breeding management software.
• Seed Processing and Shipment Ensure seeds are packed according to breeder instructions to facilitate timely planting.
• Oversee the harvesting and processing of seeds at the right time for various trials and nurseries.
• Store the processed seeds in a cold room to maintain quality.
• Supervise seed packing and coordinate the shipment of field trials to various testing locations within the country and the region, ensuring timely planting.
• Requirements Diploma or B.Sc. degree in Crop Science or related field A Kenyan national with a valid driver’s license Minimum of 2 years’ experience managing field research trials for a crop research program.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Diploma or B.Sc. degree in Crop Science or related field
• A Kenyan national with a valid driver’s license
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience managing field research trials for a crop research program.

• The Research Station Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing various aspects of the crop research operations at Kiboko, including planning, organizing, and executing together with CIMMYT scientists and technicians an array of research activities, ensuring the highest compliance with safety, regulatory, and ethics standards, and innovating on the overall efficiency of station operations.

Duties and responsibilities
Farm operations management: 

• Overall site management, including allocation of land/greenhouse and other resources in consultation with internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement plans and protocols for effectively managing breeding nurseries, including planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation, harvesting, and storage.
• Supervise and participate in day-to-day site operations, including land preparation, planting, data collection, and maintenance of research plots.
• Advance planning and forecasting for resource use and requisitions of farm inputs, supplies, and other consumables in a timely manner, in consultation with internal stakeholders.
• Responsible for optimal use of inputs (labour, fertilizers, agrochemicals, pollination supplies, fuel, etc.)
• Ensures maintenance of soil fertility at the research station by following suitable agronomic practices, including soil testing, crop rotation, and green manuring.
• Develop standardized data collection procedures in coordination with CIMMYT scientists and ensure accurate and reliable data acquisition. 
• Promote the use of digital tools, such as mobile data collection devices, bar codes and readers, and data recording in internal databases.
• Define and measure operational metrics and key performance indicators for each activity.
• Implement a robust quality management system to meet customer needs in an efficient and timely manner. Keep abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in crop research, and incorporate them into farm operations, as appropriate.

Team management:

• Lead, train and supervise a team of research technicians and farm staff, providing guidance and support to ensure efficient operations.
• Responsible for recruiting casual labor on a daily basis, maintaining, validating, and sharing the labor records on a regular basis with the concerned.
• Planning and coordinating training activities, including occupational health and safety, to improve the skills and knowledge of the staff.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, encouraging teamwork, professional development, and knowledge sharing among team members. 

Compliance and Safety: 

• Ensure all operations are in compliance with the relevant regulations, permits, and certifications (local government, environmental, etc.)  as well as CIMMYT’s policies and procedures.
• Develop, implement, and enforce occupational health and safety (OH&S) protocols to minimize risks to personnel, equipment, and the environment.

Budgeting and Resource Management:

• Design and implement proper costing of research operations, such as cost per row, cost per plot, etc.
• Develop and manage research farm budget, monitor expenditures, and ensure cost-effective and judicious utilization of resources.
• Ensure judicious use of petty cash and cash advances as per established finance policies and agreed-upon budgets, and reporting these expenses in a timely manner.
• Effectively maintain asset registry, and proactively maintain the assets in a timely manner, and attend to repairs, as and when needed.
• Develop long-term facility improvement plans, including identification of capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments.
• Ensure proper maintenance of warehouse, with dynamic monitoring of the assets.
• Ensure proper maintenance and disposal of farm produce, adhering to the institutional policies and procedures.
• Ensures proper protection of the facility assets together with the security staff, and promptly reports on any incidents to the supervisor/s.
• Requirements Master’s degree in Agriculture or Agronomy or Plant breeding or a related field.
• At least 10 years of work experience in farm management, with demonstrated ability to manage large-scale field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities.
• Strong knowledge of agronomy, crop physiology, and plant health management.
• Good knowledge of farm machinery, irrigation systems, electrical installations, etc. is highly desirable.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree in Agriculture or Agronomy or Plant breeding or a related field.
• At least 10 years of work experience in farm management, with demonstrated ability to manage large-scale field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities.
• Strong knowledge of agronomy, crop physiology, and plant health management.
• Good knowledge of farm machinery, irrigation systems, electrical installations, etc. is highly desirable.

Overview

• Serving as the principal liaison between the Kiboko Research Station team and CIMMYT-Kenya administrative team in Nairobi, the Administrative Assistant will work closely with the Research Station Manager, CIMMYT scientists and research assistants to effectively implement administrative aspects of research station operations to facilitate smooth execution of CIMMT’s activities at the Kiboko Research Station.

Duties and responsibilities

• Human resources administration. 
• Maintain systematic filing system for personnel and HR records of casual workers engaged at the Kiboko Research Station. Coordinate engagement of casual workers as per the needs of scientists and technicians operating at Kiboko Research Station. 
• Ensure compliance with relevant HR policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety guidelines. Maintain daily registers of casual workers and support the payroll process for casual workers.
• Procurement and warehouse management.
• Coordinate timely procurement of goods and services as required for smooth operation of the research station, and in strict compliance with CIMMYT policies and procedures.
• Diligently manage warehouse inventory in full compliance with established procedures and best practices.
• Ensure proper recordkeeping of all inventory deposits, withdrawals, and disposals.
• Finance and accounting. Manage and account for use of petty cash fund.
• Coordinate with Finance Manager – Kenya and respective scientists / budget-holders to ensure proper accounting for usage of warehoused inventory and fuel supply. 
• Support administration of all assets located at the Kiboko Research Station. 
• Support the Research Station Manager to identify, prioritize, and implement ideas to improve operational efficiency and cost reduction.
• Facilitate timely processing of utility bills. 

Event management. 

• Assist in organizing meetings and training events at the Kiboko Research Station, and record the minutes of the meetings, as appropriate. 
• Requirements Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field. 
• At least 3 years’ experience in a demanding office setup. 
• Experience in farm operations highly desirable.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field. 
• At least 3 years’ experience in a demanding office setup. 
• Experience in farm operations highly desirable.

Overview

• The purpose of this position is to ensure effective maintenance and upkeep of the farm equipment and installations at CIMMYT’s principal maize research station for eastern Africa, located at Kiboko in Makueni County.

Duties and responsibilities

• Regular and proactive maintenance of farm equipment, including tractors and various farm implements.
• Regular and proactive maintenance of irrigation systems, including pumps reservoirs, and drip/sprinkler irrigation systems.
• Regular and proactive maintenance of cold rooms and seed dryer systems.
• Regular and proactive maintenance of various electrical installations and related equipment in the CIMMYT-managed facilities at the Kiboko research station.
• Conduct regular inspections of the farm equipment, machinery, and electrical components in the CIMMYT-managed research facilities at the station, identify any potential problems, and promptly report to the Research Station Manager for timely actions.
• Troubleshooting mechanical/electrical malfunctions and breakdowns, as well as performing repairs, as and when needed.
• Develop and document mechanical/electrical maintenance protocols and plans to prevent costly equipment breakdowns.
• Monitor the availability of frequently replaced parts and replenishing supplies, if needed. 
• Optimizing mechanical efficiency by adjusting machinery and equipment settings. 
• Training co-workers on the safe and efficient use of farm machinery and equipment. 
• Maintaining a tidy work environment and adhering to industry regulations. 
• Record keeping i.e., preventative maintenance records, job cards, audit checklists, etc. 
• Requirements Degree/Diploma in mechanical/electrical engineering from a recognized institution.
• Good understanding of mechanical and electrical principles for maintenance of farm equipment.
• At least 5 years of experience in the Agriculture/Floriculture/Horticulture industry.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Degree/Diploma in mechanical/electrical engineering from a recognized institution. 
• Good understanding of mechanical and electrical principles for maintenance of farm equipment. 
• At least 5 years of experience in the Agriculture/Floriculture/Horticulture industry.