ILRI seeks to recruit a spatial analyst to contribute to research within its Livestock Systems and Environment (LSE) Program. The LSE program contributes to the CGIAR Research Programs on Dryland Systems (DS), Humidtropics (HT), Livestock and Fish (L&F), Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), and Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).
The LSE program applies an integrated systems approach to analyze the interactions between livestock rearing, livelihoods, food security and the environment at a range of scales and across various agro-ecological zones. The research aims to reveal synergies and trade-offs between livestock production, cropping and agroforestry production, natural resource use and environmental impacts. Current research includes work on vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production, livestock interactions with water and nutrient cycles, and dynamic modeling of farming systems. A cornerstone of the program’s work is combining empirical and modeling approaches with qualitative methods. The LSE program collaborates closely with other scientific and development groups within and outside the CGIAR.
The spatial analyst will lead work on defining targets for different livestock value chains in the Livestock and Fish CGIAR Research Program that ILRI leads; this includes assessing the environmental impacts of different interventions, like productivity improvements and out scaling, and developing analytical methods for appropriately targeting livestock interventions. The researcher will define development domains using a number of spatial variables such as agro-ecological zones, human and livestock population, livestock system distribution and market access. The analyst will use a similar approach to define vulnerability domains to shocks such as climate change, disease risk, etc. The work will also include a range of characterization exercises on livestock production systems.
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. www.ilri.org.
The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.
CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org
Responsibilities:
- Lead ILRI’s contribution to the Targeting Theme for the Livestock and Fish CGIAR Research Program.
- Define and map development domains for livestock value chains and system interventions, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
- Characterize livestock production systems using spatial data.
- Contribute to modeling and mapping disease risk.
- Map the output of modeling exercises, including future scenarios for livestock systems.
- Represent ILRI in the CGIAR Spatial Information Consortium.
- Support proposal-writing efforts on the above topics.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in environmental sciences, geography, or a related field with three years of post-graduate experience; or an M.Sc. and five years of post-graduate experience.
- Substantial hands-on experience using GIS tools and spatial data bases.
- A strong background in statistical methods is an advantage.
- 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.
Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Position level: The position is level 4C / 5A dependent on qualifications and experience. Base salary starting from USD 45,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, with an attractive international benefits package (tax free*).
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.
Terms of appointment: ILRI offers a competitive international and salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Relocation, Education, Housing, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays. *Benefits and salary are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.
Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number:REF: SA/LSE/01/14 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 12 March 2014
