Economic Analyst - CIFOR, Bogor

The Center for International Forestry Research advances human wellbeing, environmental conservation and equity by conducting research to inform policies and practices that affect forests in developing countries. We are one of 15 centres within the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, and we have offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

CIFOR is seeking an Economic Analyst for a short-term consultancy

CIFOR has received funding from the Program on Forests (PROFOR) within the World Bank for a project documenting impacts of forest management regimes in facilitating adaptation in other sectors under different climate change scenarios particularly agriculture, non-timber forest products, water and energy in Burkina Faso, Honduras and Lao PDR. This study falls within CIFOR’s research area of enhancing the role of forests in adapting to climate change, and incorporates three research methods: modeling of ecosystem services under climate change scenarios; comparative institutional analysis of forest management governance structures and processes; and comparative economic analysis of forest management approaches.

We are looking for a short-term consultant to design ecosystem services valuation frameworks for assessing the impacts of alternative forest management approaches on the adaptation of different sectors to climate change in three case studies. The consultant will report to the project manager and work closely with CIFOR staff and partners in the three case study countries as well as those at our Bogor headquarters. Due to the diversity of case studies involved, and the different types of data available to us in each country, this task will require innovative design capabilities and thorough knowledge of diverse ecosystem services valuation methods. This consultancy will not exceed 14 days, and will be completed by 15 December 2011.

Specific responsibilities •The consultant will develop separate ecosystem services valuation frameworks to analyse the economic impacts of alternative forest management approaches on specific sectors in three different country case studies under different climate change scenarios. •These economic analysis frameworks will be tailored to, and based primarily on, the specific types of qualitative and quantitative socio-economic data available to the country case study teams. •The consultant will recommend additional types of qualitative and quantitative data that may be collected during planned field research and key stakeholder workshop meetings. •The consultant will identify additional publicly available sources of data that may strengthen the specific research analyses. •The consultant will develop a detailed report outline for an economic analysis for each case study based on the data available, the data that will be elicited during the project, the analytical methods proposed.

Requirements Education, experience and technical skills •Master’s degree minimum, PhD preferred in agricultural economics, forest economics, natural resource economics or related field •Solid theoretical and practical understanding of economic analytical methods •Previous experience in application of standard economic analysis approaches in projects funded by large international organisations such as the World Bank •Ability to integrate quantitative and qualitative research approaches and data sources •Professional level of written and oral fluency in English •Advantageous: Spoken or written knowledge of French, Spanish or Lao. •Advantageous: Experience in data collection and collaboration with partners in developing countries. Personal attributes and competencies •Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively and positively interact with people in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment. •Takes initiative and capable of working independently as well as in a team environment. •Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning. Terms and conditions •CIFOR offers a competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience. •The successful candidate will be hired as a consultant under a limited short-term contract, with lump-sum payment based on deliverables. •Duty station: The consultant is expected to work from home, however preference is for a candidate who is based in Indonesia or a nearby country and can visit Bogor for consultations. •Preferred start date: 15 November 2011.