Senior Scientist – Financial Governance

About the role

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead financial governance research and support the Centre’s mission of sustainable land‑use. The role combines scientific oversight, project management, and capacity‑building to ensure high‑quality research and effective resource mobilisation.

Key responsibilities

• Provide scientific guidance ensuring research concepts and methods meet the highest standards.
• Collaborate with theme coordinators to define and implement emerging research activities.
• Write, supervise, and disseminate scientific publications and communications.
• Lead capacity‑building initiatives and mentor junior scientists, students, and staff.
• Represent CIFOR in national, regional, and global forums on forest governance.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with stakeholders and pursue additional research funding.
• Plan, monitor and manage research budgets and lead donor reporting.
• Coordinate and contribute to proposal development and fundraising activities.

Required profile

• PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., natural resource management, social sciences).
• Proven experience in collaborative research, budget management, and multi‑country projects.
• Strong record of peer‑reviewed publications.
• Demonstrated success in resource mobilisation, grant writing and securing donor funding.
• Fluent spoken and written English; additional languages are a plus.
• Experience working with diverse, multidisciplinary teams in developing‑country contexts.

Required skills

• Budget management
• Grant writing and proposal development
• Stakeholder partnership building