Announcement_Consultant_Ecosystem services in inland valleys in West-Africa.pdf

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CONSULTANCY OFFER
Ecosystem services in inland valleys in West‐Africa
Ref: CONS/02/RD/2013/09
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is seeking a highly qualified Consultant in Ecosystem
services in inland valleys in West‐Africa to be based at AfricaRice, Cotonou
About AfricaRice
AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the
CGIAR Consortium. It is also an autonomous intergovernmental association of African
member countries.
Responsibilities
Under the immediate supervision of the Remote Sensing and GIS Specialist, the consultant is
part of a multi‐disciplinary research team working to sustain and improve the productivity of
rice‐based systems in Africa in line with AfricaRice’s mission and mandate.
S/he is expected to provide a comparative analysis of ecosystem services in inland valleys in
Benin, Mali, Sierra Leone and Liberia at various scales (national, regional, local). The following
steps are foreseen:
 An assessment of ecosystem services delivered by the inland valleys (provision,
regulation, cultural);
 An assessment of their importance/value at different scales.
The process of ecosystem service assessment and valuation must be developed and
implemented in close consultation and collaboration with the national partners, AfricaRice
scientific staff and the regional work package coordinator.
Typical tools for implementing the ecosystem services assessment framework are surveys,
existing data sets, structured interviews, etc.
The consultant is expected to deliver:
 An implementation plan, developed in close collaboration with national partners, that
includes
 Theoretical framework
 Survey design
 Interview design
 Data requirements
 Time planning
 Training of surveyors
 Approach for analysis of results
 Data bases of survey results and interviews;
 Report on ecosystem services assessment and valuation in 4 rice sector development
hubs;

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 Scientific publication submitted to an international peer‐reviewed journal (such as
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment or Agricultural Systems)
Expected time frame
2013 2014
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
y
Jun Jul
theoretical framework
survey/interview design
survey implementation
database creation
data analysis
report writing
preparation of manuscript

Qualifications/Selection Criteria
Education: minimum level of Master in Ecosystem Services/Environmental Sciences or a
related field.
Work Experience: proven working experience in the domain of ecosystem services
assessment.
The consultant should have a good scientific publication record.
Language
Fluency (orally and in writing) in either English or French is required.
To apply for this position, please send your applications:
To: AfricaRice‐HR@cgiar.org with the vacancy reference in subject: CONS/02/RD/2013/09
Or to the following address: Head, Human Resources Unit, AfricaRice, 01 B.P. 2031,
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Applications will be considered until Friday, October 18, 2013.
AfricaRice is an equal opportunity employer. AfricaRice believes that staff diversity
promotes excellence in its operations and particularly welcomes applications from women
and developing countries.
AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at
www.AfricaRice.org