The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) are globally recognized research organizations dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management, agroforestry, and landscape restoration. The institutions work in partnership with governments, research institutions, development agencies, and communities to advance climate-resilient, biodiversity-friendly, and economically viable tree-based systems. In line with its mission to strengthen sustainable seed systems for restoration and agroforestry, CIFOR-ICRAF is seeking to recruit a Senior Scientist – Tree Breeding and Integrated Tree Seed Systems. This position offers an opportunity to lead groundbreaking research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing the genetic quality, resilience, and availability of tree planting materials for large-scale environmental restoration and livelihood improvement.
This is a re-advertised opportunity, and qualified candidates with a track record in seed system development, tree breeding, and cross-sectoral collaboration are encouraged to apply.
Position Overview
The Senior Scientist will provide scientific leadership, project management, and stakeholder engagement expertise in advancing tree breeding and integrated tree seed systems across multiple landscapes and countries. The role demands technical excellence in seed sourcing, genetic improvement, policy engagement, and capacity building, coupled with strategic oversight of multi-partner, multi-country initiatives.
Detailed Job Description
1. Technical Aspects
The Senior Scientist will:
- Lead and contribute to research on tree seed systems, including the identification, establishment, and management of improved seed sources and breeding seed orchards, to enhance genetic quality, adaptability, and scalability of planting materials.
- Analyze and influence institutional and policy environments governing tree seed and seedling supply chains to strengthen regulatory frameworks and align stakeholders for sustainable outcomes.
- Drive resource mobilization for tree genetic resources programs to expand research efforts and secure long-term sustainability of seed system innovations.
- Establish and manage strategic networks and platforms with national, regional, and international partners on seed system development, fostering collaboration and cross-regional learning.
- Contribute to the development of a Global Tropical Tree Seed Hub to centralize efforts in quality seed delivery, innovation, and technical capacity across the tropics.
- Participate in species prioritization and site-species matching methodologies to support restoration effectiveness and climate-smart agroforestry practices.
- Enhance access to climate-resilient and genetically diverse tree seeds and seedlings, working closely with thematic teams to promote ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation.
- Collaborate with scientists and teams from other CIFOR-ICRAF Themes and regional programs to ensure interdisciplinary integration and coherence across restoration and agroforestry initiatives.
- Design and deliver training programs, tools, and curricula on seed systems and seed quality standards, building capacities at institutional and community levels.
- Provide expert technical support and advisory services to national and international stakeholders to strengthen seed value chains and improve project outcomes.
- Ensure high-quality technical reporting and knowledge outputs are delivered on schedule, aligning with project milestones and donor expectations to foster transparency, learning, and scaling.
2. Project and People Management
The Senior Scientist will:
- Provide strategic oversight and operational leadership for tree seed system initiatives, integrating technical, financial, institutional, and policy components to achieve high-quality outputs and outcomes.
- Coordinate, manage, and monitor the execution of complex multi-country projects, including those involving the development and scaling of improved seed sources and breeding systems in line with CIFOR-ICRAF’s restoration and agroforestry objectives.
- Supervise and mentor multidisciplinary teams of staff, consultants, fellows, and partners, promoting a collaborative, high-performance culture that upholds scientific rigor and innovation.
- Guide the preparation of project implementation plans, workstreams, and budgets, ensuring timely delivery, efficiency, and compliance with donor and institutional requirements.
- Embed robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems within project cycles to track progress, capture insights, and inform adaptive management strategies.
- Contribute to donor relations by preparing progress and technical reports, participating in donor meetings, and ensuring alignment of deliverables with partner expectations.
- Support the organization and facilitation of technical workshops, knowledge exchange forums, and stakeholder engagement events to promote visibility and uptake of research findings.
- Collaborate with Theme leaders and other relevant scientists in formulating and monitoring the annual Program of Work and Budget (PWB), integrating project-level priorities into wider institutional strategies.
- Ensure full compliance with institutional and donor standards, including risk management, gender and social inclusion, and safeguarding requirements.
- Identify and assess operational or reputational risks across project sites, propose mitigating actions, and escalate critical issues to Theme or Country leadership as needed.
- Represent CIFOR-ICRAF in national and international technical, policy, and donor platforms, contributing expert insights on seed systems to influence global restoration agendas.
- Work in active collaboration with other CIFOR-ICRAF Themes and regional programs to ensure strategic alignment and synergy across organizational initiatives.
This position is designed for a high-caliber professional with significant technical expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to operate in a dynamic international research and development environment. The role offers an opportunity to shape policy, strengthen institutional frameworks, and make a tangible impact on restoration and climate resilience efforts globally.
Application Process
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the designated application platform before the deadline indicated in the original posting.
