World Resources Institute (WRI) seeks a Senior Research Consultant to manage our research program on Madagascar’s forest cover change, particularly in the dry forest region of the country.  The Senior Research Consultant will be primarily responsible for leading WRI’s research program in Madagascar, specifically focused on the evolution of forest cover in the dry forests of Madagascar funded by the USAID Hay Tao project.

In this role, the Senior Research Consultant will be responsible for managing a small team of in-country staff, overseeing research with partners and other consultants in Madagascar, and conducting research activities on the evolution of Madagascar’s forest cover. The Senior Research Consultant will report directly to the Senior Manager, Madagascar Lead, and collaborate closely with other experts on WRI’s Global Forest Watch, Restoration, and Cities 4 Forests teams.

This consultant position is for one year and will be located in Antananarivo, Madagascar, but remote locations will be considered.

Scope of Work and Deliverables/Outputs

Major Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of research activities in Madagascar, supporting research deliverables under the USAID Hay Tao project on the update to the Vegetation Atlas of Madagascar
• Coordinate appropriate research partners to complete research objectives under the main Hay Tay deliverable to update the Vegetation Atlas
• Facilitate the UNESCO Dry Forest World Heritage Site application process and serve as a key member of the research team supporting this deliverable for USAID Hay Tao
• Manage a small team in Madagascar to support research deliverables and associated activities under the Hay Tao project and other WRI projects (Cities 4 Forests, Restoration)
• Establish and continue collaboration with partners in Madagascar, including the government, NGOs and the private sector
• Organize seminars and meetings with partners around WRI activities in Madagascar and to advance research deliverables under USAID Hay Tao
• Conduct research and author and co-author publications related to the research deliverables under USAID Hay Tao
• Travel in Madagascar and internationally to support the activities of the project, as necessary

Deliverables

• Develop a research plan to update the Vegetation Atlas of Madagascar, with a specific focus on the evolution of dry forests
• Organize a team of appropriate partners and additional consultants to contribute and complete the research plan
• With the small team in Madagascar, organize regular meetings of the research team to advance the research supporting the Vegetation Atlas of Madagascar
• Publish peer-reviewed research on the evolution of the dry forest cover in Madagascar and other relevant pieces of research that advance the overall plan
• Produce a final application for the dry forests of Madagascar as a UNESCO World Heritage site as a member of the Madagascar team supporting the process

Consultant Qualifications

• Ph.D. in natural resource management, conservation, environmental science or a similar field
• Significant experience (minimum 10 years) in research and managing a team to complete research projects
• Extensive knowledge in the field of natural resources and the forest sector in Madagascar
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) to various audiences in Madagascar and the international scientific community
• Demonstrated experience managing or supervising staff
• Experience in facilitating meetings and discussions and the ability to work with senior government officials, research institutes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society
• Willingness to travel frequently within and outside the country
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines while setting and delivering on clear priorities
• Authorization to work in Madagascar
• Fluency in written and spoken French and English
• Adherence to the missions and institutional values ​​of WRI

Source: https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/job/obcIdfw2