Ecosystem Ecologist

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit an Ecosystem Ecologist to contribute to research on Dryland Systems, Ecosystem Services from Rangelands, and Climate Change Interactions with Rangelands. We seek an early career scientist who has strong ties to an established Centre of Excellence (university or research institute) in ecosystem ecology, especially rangeland/grassland ecology. ILRI wishes to strengthen our ties to one or more such centres through shared expertise and collaboration. The advertised position would be funded by ILRI, but shared between the centre of excellence and ILRI. ILRI can also offer one month’s salary to a senior staff member at the same centre of excellence, so as to complement the skills of the early career scientist and other ILRI staff, and strengthen the affiliation.The ecosystem ecologist will make important contributions to broader, interdisciplinary research agendas for developing environmentally sound strategies to sustainably increase productivity, reduce vulnerability and increase the resilience of pastoral and agro pastoral livestock-based livelihoods to hazards like weather conditions and climate change, market fluctuations and insecurity. These include options to reduce vulnerability, such as early warning systems which monitor rangeland conditions, and options for diversifying livelihoods through payment for ecosystem services for biological conservation and climate change mitigation. Much has changed in terms of ecosystem dynamics in rangelands in the last 20 years, and hence new interventions such as livestock insurance and restoration of degraded lands will have unknown ecosystem feedbacks, and ILRI needs the tools to evaluate these.ILRI has a track record of applied research on dryland ecosystem management across Africa, and this expertise is housed in its Livestock Systems and Environment (LSE) programme (livestocksystems.wordpress.com) LSE seeks to strengthen our skills in ecological research with this position, to complement our other skills in social science, GIS and remote sensing work, and modeling. The advantage of a shared position with an advanced centre of excellence is access to senior ecologists, opportunity to work with students, access to library resources, while simultaneously working in Africa on critical development and management agendas.ILRI works with partners worldwide to enhance the roles that livestock play in food security and poverty alleviation, principally in Africa and Asia. The outcomes of these research partnerships help people in developing countries keep their farm animals’ alive and productive, increase and sustain their livestock and farm productivity, find profitable markets for their animal products, and reduce the risk of livestock-related diseases. http://www.ilri.org/ILRI is a not-for-profit institution with a staff of about 700 and in 2014, an operating budget of about USD83 million. A member of the CGIAR Consortium working for a food-secure future, ILRI has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, a principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and offices in other countries in East, West and Southern Africa and in South, Southeast and East Asia. http://www.cgiar.org/The ecologist will also support work with rangeland and climate impact models, where a sound and up to date understanding of rangeland dynamics is required. Specifically the ecologist will:Undertake research on ecosystem health and services in rangeland systems, including how management practices affect the quality and quantity of ecosystem services, using a variety of data collection methods and sources, combining field data with models and remotely sensed data.Undertake research on the dynamics of change in rangeland ecology, particularly how changes in mobility and access to key grazing areas and water points are affecting rangelands, in collaboration with research on governance of natural resources.Work with pastoralist and agropastoralist herders to develop and experiment with rangeland monitoring and management techniques and practices appropriate to local contextsWork with modelers and remote sensing specialists to develop and ground-truth methodologies for assessing rangeland health and productivity for management and impact assessmentSupport proposal-writing efforts on the above topicsSupervise PhD and MSc students on the above topicsA PhD in ecology or natural resource management, ideally with some appreciation of combining research on social science and biophysical perspectives.Knowledge of rangeland ecological research in pastoral/agropastoral systems in developing countries with a minimum of two years post-doctoral experience.A systems perspective, especially related to the challenges of sustainability and vulnerability of pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods.Experience and expertise in field-based ecological researchStrong statistical skills, including designing field data collection protocols, and analyzing data that vary over space and time.Good publications record with strong written and oral communication skills in English and the ability to communicate with diverse audiences.Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams in developing country environments.Experience with community-based approaches to ecological/natural resource management research and monitoring would be an asset.Post location:The position is based at ILRI campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.Position level: The position is Level 4CBenefits: ILRI offers a competitive international and salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Education, Housing, Relocation, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, people and organizational development through our recruitment portal http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 10th October 2014. The position title and reference number Ref: LSE /EE/8/14 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Suitably qualified women and citizens of developing countries, with experience of working internationally, are particularly encouraged to apply.