Climate Change Scientist Job in Kenya

Scientist: Soil Health and Climate Change

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) – a member of the CGIAR Consortium – develops technologies, innovative methods, and new knowledge that better enable farmers, especially smallholders, to make agriculture competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient. 

Headquartered near Cali, Colombia, CIAT conducts research for development in tropical regions of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. www.ciat.cgiar.org
 

CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org 

The CGIAR has a portfolio of global research programs to implement a recently agreed strategy of research for development.  

Key areas within the strategy and the portfolio are farming systems intensification, reducing risk for vulnerable populations, and sustainable management of natural resources in landscapes to benefit the poor.
 

The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute (TSBF) joined CIAT in 2001, and since then has grown and evolved to become one of the three research areas of CIAT. 

Taking forward the original focus of TSBF, scientists at CIAT are working at the interface between agriculture and ecology to achieve durable food security, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, but with a global agenda. CIAT’s  soils research is extremely well placed to contribute in the reformed CGIAR.  

To build up the momentum of this work, CIAT is recruiting new members for its soils research team.

CIAT is looking for an active scientist to lead and contribute to research on soil health and climate change and the interaction between them.  The soil scientist will contribute to the development and understanding of the impacts of climate smart agricultural practices relevant to agroecosystems managed by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Research will be on adaptation and mitigation with the entry point of management of soil ecology, soil organic matter and fertility to improve soil function and sustain improved productivity, with positive adaptation and climate benefits.

Candidates must have a strong desire to bring research to bear on important development questions, and ensure impact of our work on poverty alleviation and creating positive change in a variety of development contexts.  

They must also have an interest in engaging in global discussions on the role of soils in adaptation and mitigation, and e.g REDD+ type initiatives. Responsibilities will include intellectual management and leadership of soil biology and carbon cycling laboratories in Nairobi. 

The candidate will lead projects and conduct research that contributes to the CGIAR Research Programs on climate change, agro-ecological intensification, and tropical legumes. 

The position is posted in Nairobi, with primary responsibility in sub-Saharan Africa, but includes interaction and collaboration with scientists in Latin America and Southeast Asia, and in the other Research Areas of CIAT particularly Agrobiodiversity. 

Role and Responsibilities

• Creatively lead research in the area of soil health, carbon and OM dynamics, and climate change.
• Lead interdisciplinary research for development projects or components of projects toward successful outcomes.
• Proactively engage in opportunities to create impact from CIAT’s work, including participating in on-going platforms and discussions with policy and decision makers.
• Maintain an international reputation through contributions to international scientific meetings and publication of research papers in peer reviewed journals.
• Contribute to program strategy development and integration.
• Represent the institute at a variety of fora with a variety of partners.
• Maintain relationships with donors develop successful proposals that align with and strengthen CIAT’s research and the Consortium Research Programs.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff.
• Supporting communications efforts of the Research Area and CIAT.

Requirements

• PhD in Soil Science, Soil Fertility/Ecology, or related field.
• At least 5 years experience in soil ecology and/or carbon dynamics research.
• Extensive experience in field experimentation in developing countries.
• Demonstrated competence in managing a research laboratory.
• Experience in applying soil ecology analysis to farming systems improvement.
• Expertise in supporting nitrogen fixation and other innovation in farming systems.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams to provide solutions that can sustainably increase productivity with benefit to the rural poor.
• Ability to manage and mentor more junior researchers to produce high quality outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to independently publish in international journals.

Terms of employment
 

The Scientist will report to the Director of the Soils Research Area. S/he will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and the contract will be for an initial 2 year period, subject to a probation period of six (6) months. CIAT offers internationally competitive salary and benefits packages. 

CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality. Female candidates from Latin America, Africa, and Asia are encouraged to apply.
 

Applications
 

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. 

All correspondence should be addressed to the CIAT Human Resources Office to Catalina Montoya (c.m.ruiz@cgiar.org) and Alice Kareri (a.kareri@cgiar.org) and should clearly indicate “Soil Health and Climate Change” on their application letters or email submissions.
 

Closing date for applications: 15 June 2012