Vital Signs, an integrated monitoring system for ecosystem services in African agricultural landscapes (VS) is a new, innovative monitoring system that collects data on environmental impacts of agricultural development, analyzes trade-offs and synergies among food production, poverty alleviation and environmental outcomes of agricultural intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa, and communicates science to policy makers with the aim of improving agricultural development decisions. Vital Signs is led by Conservation International, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa and the Earth Institute, Columbia University and is directly managed by Conservation International.
The Vital Signs Postdoctoral Researcher is responsible for developing and implementing an analytical framework and methods for measuring and tracking inclusive wealth as a framework for tracking sustainability of socio-agroecosystems, using data from Vital Signs field protocols and household surveys. The postdoctoral researcher collaborates with other Vital Signs scientists in developing and implementing the analytical framework for calculating other holistic indicators, e.g., resilience of socio-agro-ecosystems to climate variability. The postdoctoral researcher also may conduct quantitative comparisons of the ecosystem service and human wellbeing outcomes of smallholder agricultural production versus proposed large-scale agri-business investments in Vital Signs regions. The position entails about 50% collaborating with the Vital Signs Executive Director and Technical Council and 50% working independently on research related to the topics outlined above. This position interacts strongly with the Vital Signs science team, with participants in Vital Signs working groups, with other scientists engaged in the Vital Signs network and with CI HQ scientists.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Develops and implements the Vital Signs analytical framework and methods for measuring and tracking inclusive wealth as a framework for tracking sustainability of socio-agroecosystems, using data from Vital Signs field protocols and household surveys. Operationalizes this framework through the Vital Signs web portal and also publishes this work in the peer-reviewed literature in a timely fashion.
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Collaborates with other Vital Signs scientists in developing and implementing the analytical framework for calculating other holistic indicators, e.g., resilience of socio-agro-ecosystems to climate variability.
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Participates in and provides technical support to Vital Signs scientific working groups.
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Provides scientific and analytical support to Vital Signs Executive Director and Technical Council.
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Gives presentations on individual research and general Vital Signs science at international scientific and policy meetings.
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Ability to represent CI both internally and externallyl
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Position must hold and adhere to strong work ethic, modeling CI’s values and appropriate behaviors to African and global scientific and policy communities.
Working Conditions:
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This position is a telecommuting position based in Santa Barbara, CA
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Up to 30% international travel, mostly in Africa
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
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5+ years of relevant work experience
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Ph.D. in economics, quantitative ecology, sustainable development, or closely related fields. Relevant thematic areas of expertise include environmental economics, quantitative ecology, ecosystem services, international trade, agricultural economics, natural resource management and global change;
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Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative trans-disciplinary work ;
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Demonstrated analytical and computational skills, as needed to explore integrated issues;
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Familiarity with conservation, agricultural development and conservation issues in developing countries, particularly in Africa;
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Demonstrated record of publication in peer-reviewed literature on topics relevant to the position;
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Innovative thinker with strong interest in pragmatic outcomes;
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Interest in linking science to decision making and policy outcomes;
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Demonstrated capacity to plan and organize multiple tasks to ensure their efficient and timely accomplishment, often under tight deadlines;
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Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity;
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Excellent oral and written communication skills;
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Demonstrated ability to work in collaborative, team research environments and cultivate productive partnerships with academic and research institutions
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Flexible attitude and ability to adapt to unpredictable developing country political situations and to dynamic, fast-paced, international NGO science environment.
Preferred:
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Fluency in French or any other language important in Africa is a plus.
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