The People & Ecosystems Program at the World Resources Institute (WRI) seeks a results-oriented project manager to lead WRI activities at the nexus of forests and climate in the Congo Basin. To begin, the successful candidate will lead a three-year project to improve detection (via remote sensing) and quantification of deforestation, forest degradation, and the associated carbon emissions in the forests of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. In addition, the project will build the capacity of local institutions and government agencies to conduct this measurement and monitoring on an ongoing, consistent basis.
The position will be part of WRI’s Forest Landscape Initiative, which seeks to increase the ability of governments, businesses, and civil society to act upon better and more widely shared information to protect intact forests, manage working forests more sustainably, and restore deforested lands. Focused on forest-rich regions, the Initiative utilizes spatial information, information management tools (e.g., remote sensing, GIS, mapping), and other forest-related information to stimulate, support, and monitor actions that promote more sustainable forest management. The Initiative is currently active in the Congo Basin, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon Basin.
TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK
http://wri.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal&a=details&...
Responsibilities
Lead a team of WRI staff and coordinate the contribution of project partner organizations (e.g., Winrock International, Imazon, OSFAC, South Dakota State University) to conduct analyses to measure deforestation, forest degradation, and the associated carbon emissions in Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Activities include:
Test a variety of methods for measuring and monitoring forest degradation and associated carbon stocks and flows in pilot areas of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo.
Evaluate these measurement and monitoring methodologies to determine those most appropriate for the two countries (balancing accuracy, cost, ease-of-use, and replicability).
Write an issue brief describing and evaluating (against a set of criteria) various forest monitoring and carbon accounting methods. Utilizing input from stakeholder workshops and from international and national experts, recommend optimal methods for these two countries and, if possible, for the entire Central Africa region.
Quantify the forest carbon emissions from land use change (forest loss and degradation) in Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, using the most up-to-date methodologies and following Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Good Practice Guidance. This analysis will include an update of forest cover change from 2005-2010 and add missing years going back to the 1990s.
Identify drivers of deforestation/degradation in the two countries (leveraging insights from forest monitoring activities) and prepare an issue brief on policy options for addressing these drivers.
Lead a team of WRI staff and coordinate the contribution of partner organizations to develop in-country capacity to monitor and measure changes in forest cover and carbon stocks. Activities include:
Train staff of targeted stakeholder groups (e.g., government ministries, national and regional NGOs, local communities, and indigenous groups) in how to apply forest monitoring (including satellite image interpretation, forest degradation assessment) and carbon accounting techniques and how to utilize the resulting information in forest management and climate change strategies.
Develop and help implement a training program to enhance the capabilities of Observatoire Satellital des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale (OSFAC) personnel so that OSFAC is better able to serve as a regional center of excellence in forest monitoring (deforestation/ degradation) and carbon accounting and to function as data and map products clearinghouse.
Lead a team of WRI staff and coordinate the contribution of partner organizations to engage in-country stakeholders on forest/climate issues. Activities include:
Conduct technical workshops to inform decision-makers in government ministries, NGOs, and research institutions about how the data and methods for monitoring and measuring forest loss/degradation and associated carbon emissions underpin funds, payments, and other incentives for forest conservation.
Conduct policy workshops to inform target stakeholders in Cameroon and the Republic of Congo about potential policy options for addressing the drivers of deforestation and degradation, lessons learned from other countries, and the role of forest monitoring.
Manage project budget and timelines to ensure project deliverables met.
Steward existing funder relationships and coordinate preparation of project funder reports (as required).
Working with WRI colleagues, develop new project concepts, write proposals, and engage prospective funders in order to advance WRI’s work on building sustainable forest management in the Congo Basin and other forest-rich regions.
Contribute expertise to WRI project activities in other forest-rich region.
Serve as internal reviewer for WRI colleagues’ publications/products (to support the institute’s peer review process, which is a key part of achieving excellence in all WRI’s work).
Qualifications
Advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) in geography, remote sensing, GIS, forestry or other relevant field, ideally with a focus on tropical forests.
Minimum seven years relevant work experience in remote sensing, GIS, and monitoring of tropical forests or in sustainable forest management. Experience with monitoring and measuring forest-related carbon emissions (and sinks) or related forest/climate experience is a plus.
Familiarity with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mechanism for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing countries (REDD).
Proven ability to lead a team and manage projects involving multiple partners. Demonstrated ability to:
Implement project strategies and adapt as opportunities/circumstances unfold.
Motivate staff, manage contractors/project partners, and ensure expected deliverables completed.
Deliver on-the-ground results on time and on budget.
Very solid writing and analytical skills.
English and French fluency—both speaking and writing—is required. Additional language skills in Portuguese, Spanish, and/or Bahasa Indonesia are a plus.
Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office and in remote sensing (e.g., ERDAS Imagine or other), ESRI ArcGIS, and spatial modeling software.
Proven capacity to work in developing countries, particularly in Central Africa.
Willingness to travel extensively—at least 25 percent of the time—for extended periods in Central African countries.
TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK
http://wri.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal&a=details&...
Salary & Benefits
Competitive and commensurate with qualifications. WRI offers a comprehensive benefits package.
WRI offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Contact
Send resume or CV and cover letter to:
SEE APPLY LINK ABOVE TO APPLY
No phone calls please. Qualified applicants only. WRI only accepts applications for current job openings.
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WRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, parental status, or disability.
