Country Director, Cote d’Ivoire

The Country Director will contextualize and deliver CIFOR-ICRAF’s Strategic Results Framework, in Cote
 d’Ivoire, in partnership with appropriate and relevant national and national partners from across all
 sectors of society, for the benefit of the country and beyond. S/he will also provide overall leadership
 within the Country to represent CIFOR-ICRAF’s interests in the country and ensure quality execution
 of CIFOR-ICRAF research activities.

Duties and responsibilities

• To promote the right conditions for achieving CIFOR-ICRAF strategic objectives (science quality,  impact, partnership and operational efficiency) in Cote D’Ivoire.
  
• To lead the Country’s Functional Units, partners, and other stakeholders for the operationalization of the Country strategy.
  
• To facilitate institutional integration and coherence through regular communication and liaison with  leadership of all CIFOR-ICRAF’s relevant programmatic, thematic and country. 
  
• Lead scientific research on agroforestry, forestry, climate change, landscape ecology and related  agroforestry research, especially those related to national programs and policies. 
  
• To facilitate publishing and present research findings at all levels including local, national and  international levels. 
  
• Lead the development of country projects and coordinate deliverables for the Science Domains in  the country; periodic reporting of the status of research and partnerships carried out in Cote D’Ivoire  for internal and external communications; strengthening partnerships for enhancing the science and  pursuing the science agenda of CIFOR-ICRAF.
  

• To lead resource mobilization through opportunity spotting and capture, catalyzing the writing of  proposals, establishing and managing donor relations and the country’s institutional profile.
  
• To provide leadership in the recruitment of staff for the region in appropriate consultation with  leadership of all of ICRAF’s relevant programmatic, thematic and country team;
  
• To prepare annual plan of work and budget in collaboration with FSU, CRP focal points, Theme  leaders and country staff.
  
• Provide overall supervision of country activities to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness  in the region; including direct supervision of Country staff (as appropriate), including performance  management and evaluation.
  
• To develop and nurture a supportive, productive, efficient and equitable working environment for  all staff.
  
• To supervise country-based teams who are part of CIFOR-CRAF’s matrix with headquarters-based  units.
  
• To stimulate and contribute to the production of research outputs, including scientific publications,  and development innovations.

• To develop and manage partnerships that contribute to furthering the country strategy, e.g. with  national institutions, private sector, farmers’ organizations, CGIAR Centers, hosting countries  organizations and others, as appropriate.
  
• To oversee implementation of the communication component of the country strategy, including but  not limited to the leading of synthesis of regional outputs, and direction of the communication of  research products.
  
• To represent CIFOR-ICRAF at appropriate national events and forums and internationally as may be  necessary. 
  
• To support the assessment of impact of CIFOR-ICRAF’s work in the country.
  

Requirements

• PhD in a field related to agriculture, forestry, agroforestry or natural resources management  including related social sciences. 
  
• Experience in conducting research in agroforestry or a closely related field, demonstrated by quality  publications in high impact journals. 
  
• Research and management experience in developing countries; Experience in Côte d’Ivoire is an  asset.
  
• 10 years with a minimum of 7 years postdoctoral experience. 
  
• 10 years of experience leading teams.
  

• Skills in research design and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. 
  
• Proven track record in managing collaborative agroforestry relationships with a range of partners,  including the private sector. 
  
• Demonstrated fund raising and proposal writing experience. 
  
• Familiarity with international agricultural and environmental research and development. 
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and relational skills, especially in a cross-cultural  environment and ability to analyze and solve problems, persuade, network and negotiate. 
  
• Ability to lead and flourish in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  

Education, knowledge and experience

• PhD in a field related to agriculture, forestry, agroforestry or natural resources management including related social sciences.
 • Experience in conducting research in agroforestry or a closely related field, demonstrated by quality publications in high impact journals.
 • Research and management experience in developing countries; Experience in Côte d’Ivoire is an asset.
 • 10 years with minimum of 7 years postdoctoral experience.
 • 10 years of experience leading teams.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Globally Recruited position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in USD currency,
 commensurate with skills and experience.
 • The duty station will be in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire CIFOR-ICRAF Offices.