Readvertised: Call for applications for ISC member position

The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) is seeking to complete its Independent Steering Committee (ISC) with one new member.

The Board of Trustees of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) recently appointed two new members to FTA’s ISC. It is now widening its search for a third new ISC member who has pan-African policy and development experience.

In line with this new requirement, the open call for nomination has been extended until Aug. 8, 2018. Candidates who applied for the original call do not need to reapply; those with relevant experience will be considered alongside new candidates.

Background

FTA is the world’s largest research for development program to enhance the role of forests, trees and agroforestry in sustainable development and food security and to address climate change. The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) leads FTA in partnership with Bioversity International, CATIE, CIRAD, ICRAF, INBAR and Tropenbos International.

The programmatic strategy and work of FTA is overseen by the ISC, comprising nine members, including five “independent” members, who participate ad personam, in their individual capacity and not representing any institution involved in FTA.

Independent ISC members bring recognized, state-of-the-art scientific expertise in fields relevant to FTA, and insights from diverse sectors (such as national agricultural research systems, development agencies, the private sector, civil society, farmer organizations, etc.), and broaden perspectives and views about FTA.

Responsibilities of the ISC

The ISC has four key functions:

1. Strategic programmatic oversight of FTA;
2. Monitoring FTA’s delivery;
3. Oversight and strengthening of FTA partnerships;
4. Reviewing the FTA Program of Work and Budget (POWB) and allocations from CGIAR and/or other program-level resources.

The ISC is accountable to the CIFOR Board of Trustees (BoT), which retains overall strategic and programmatic responsibility, as well as fiduciary responsibility as to the use of CGIAR and/or other program-level resources.

The specific duties are described in the ISC Terms of Reference (ToR).

Terms and conditions for independent members

Independent members are appointed for a fixed term of three years. The appointment may be renewed once, conditional to a decision by the Lead Center BoT.

The expected time commitment for all ISC members to perform their duties is approximately 10 to 15 working days per year, including travel time and meeting time to attend two in-person meetings per year.

ISC members, except the Chair, are not compensated for their time and work. However, independent members will receive an honorarium of US$350 per day for face-to-face meeting days, including travel time, and up to three days for meeting preparation and reading materials. Travel expenses are covered by FTA.

Outside in-person meetings, work will be done via electronic means.

Selection criteria for independent members

(* denotes mandatory criteria)

Individual capacity, expertise and professional experience

1. *) Advanced university degree
2. *) Scientific expertise in fields relevant to FTA
3. *) At least 15 years of relevant experience with cross-disciplinary research for development processes, past or present insertion in cross-disciplinary scientific initiatives, scientific networks, development networks or policy processes
4. *) Internationally (or at least regionally) recognized in a field related to FTA
   

   Absence of conflict of interest.

5. *) Not employed by or a board member of a CGIAR center or an organization that is a strategic partner of FTA (CIRAD, INBAR, Tropenbos International, CATIE)
6. *) Not personally or directly involved in a project that is linked to FTA at the time of appointment.
   Read the conflict of interest policy.

   Bringing broadened perspectives and views to FTA

7. Broad vision of research for development issues in fields related to FTA
8. Demonstrated past and present experience in national or international agricultural research systems, development agencies, the private sector, civil society, farmer or forest organizations, etc.
9. *) Demonstrated pan-African policy and development experience.

Selection process

The selection process will be carried out by the BoT of CIFOR, based upon a shortlist prepared by the ISC.

In addition to the individual selection criteria above, the following “collective” criteria will be considered, taking into account all committee members, including continuing members:

• The ISC composition should reflect a variety of technical expertise.
• The ISC composition should reflect an assortment of regional expertise, ensuring the ISC appropriately covers Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia expertise.
• The ISC composition should reflect diverse sectors and sectoral or stakeholder perspectives.
• The ISC strives to achieve gender balance.

The current composition of the ISC is available here.

How to apply

Potential candidates are requested to:

• Complete the online application form, including a list of your publications and your CV
• Complete the declaration in the form, stating that you:
  • Have read, understood and agree to the Terms of Reference (ToR) and Rules of Procedure (RoP)
  • Have read, understood and agree to the conditions, including the Conflict of Interest Policy, certifying Selection Criteria 5 and 6
  • Agree to dedicate the required amount of time as stated in Section 2 of the RoP, if selected

Applications missing any of these elements (completed application form, list of publications, CV or declaration) will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 11.59pm UTC on Aug. 8, 2018. If you experience any issues with the application form, please contact CGIARFORESTSANDTREES@CGIAR.ORG, quoting “Application for ISC” in the subject line.

Click here to begin your online application.