Job Description

Reference number: 2513
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a

Senior Researcher - Sustainable Value Chain and Landscape Investment

Overview

The responsibilities of this position include generating scientific outputs, mentoring students and interns, contributing to accountable donors' outputs, collaborating with partners and consultants, and representing the project and organization – covering the topics of sustainable value chains, green certification, landscape governance and finance, payment for ecosystem services, and relevant policy domains.

Duties and responsibilities

Science production

Conduct applied research on relevant fields including sustainable value chains, green certification, market prospects, payment for ecosystem services and landscape investment and identify gaps and bottlenecks in existing value chain systems and design evidence-based solutions.
Benchmark local practices against global approaches in sustainable value chains and landscape investment.
Lead and contribute to writing peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, working papers, technical and policy briefs, and other technical publications.
Support in developing tools, manuals, and guidelines.
Contribute to managing databases on policy and regulations and other data and information gained from primary and secondary sources.
Support the Principal Investigator, project and component leaders to develop reports and annual workplan and budgets of relevant project(s).

Human capital

Facilitate in strengthening the capacity of partners at national and sub-national levels, including facilitating and organizing training, workshops, and other events in collaboration with partners and country teams.
Lead in designing research activities for students and interns and supervise them as is required.
Support community-based organizations and cooperatives integrating inclusive, gender-responsive, and youth-focused approaches into value chain development.

Game-changing solutions

Timely delivery of outputs.
Represent the organization in engaging with public, private, and smallholder farmers in various events – as a resource person, participant, and other relevant capacity.
Support design of green certification systems, traceability tools, and e-market platforms for sustainable products.
Introduce digital solutions, AI-based tools, and innovative financing instruments to strengthen market access and investment sustainability.
Contribute to national and global discussions on relevant topics of expertise in close coordination with the supervisor and Sri Lanka senior researchers.

Structural capital

Support the project team leaders to ensure accountability processes to donor(s) by contributing to timely submissions of reports and activities on the ground.
Contribute to project reporting, monitoring, and evaluation in collaboration with other team members and project partners.

Education, knowledge and experience

• A doctoral or master’s degree in ecological/environmental economics, agricultural economics, agribusiness, and sustainable financing in the context of agriculture and forestry.
• Vast and strong knowledge of payment for ecosystem services, sustainable landscape financing, green economy, and green agriculture in Sri Lanka and globally.
• Broad knowledge of Sri Lanka policy and regulation on agriculture, forestry, ecosystem services, and green financing.
• At least 3-5 years of experience as a researcher position in reputable international or national organizations.
• Authoring or co-authoring research publications – journal articles, books, technical and policy briefs, and others.
• Project management, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Engagement with NGOs and academic partners.
• Engagement with smallholders, and national and sub-national government. Working or networking experience with private sectors will be beneficial.
• Involvement in resource mobilization and proposal development is considered an advantageous attribute.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be up to February 2026 with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position, and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
To apply, please visit our career site at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org/about/work-with-us/
To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.