Research and Documentation Specialist at ForestAction

ForestAction (Forest Resource Studies and Action Team), established in 2001, is a Nepal-based non-governmental organization focused on using research, policy dialogues and stakeholder engagement to transform social and environmental injustices. We have a vision of an environmentally sustainable society free from poverty and discrimination, accomplished by transforming policies and institutions relating to the poverty-environment nexus. 

ForestAction Nepal has been implementing DFID’s Research Into Use (RIU) Programme funded project entitled “Reducing Poverty through Innovation System in Forestry (RPIS). The project is being implemented in collaboration with Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN), Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalist (NEFEJ), Central Department of Sociology and Anthropology of Tribhuvan University (DoSA), and Nepal Herbs and Herbal Products Association (NHHPA). 

RPIS seeks advance RIU programme’s aims to accumulate and evaluate evidence to shape and share lessons on how best to enable innovation in the forestry and agricultural sector so as to achieve social and economic gains in diverse developing country settings. 

The RPIS-RIU initiative seeks to strengthen innovation processes in forest and livelihoods by strengthening collaborative linkages among the diverse functions of coalition partners of this initiatives– action and policy oriented research (ForestAction), advocacy of innovations (FECOFUN), research and academic linkages (DoSA), media advocacy (NFEJ), and forest products enterprise development (NEHHPA). The main objective of the RPIS-RIU initiatives is to enhance livelihoods opportunities to the poor by strengthening research, learning and innovations systems around resource management, enterprise development, democratic governance and policy change. 

Specific objectives RPIS project include:

• Promote research innovations for active, equitable and effective management of natural resources within the framework of community forestry in Nepal;
• Strengthen innovation processes in forest and livelihoods by strengthening collaborative linkages among the diverse functions of coalition partners such as action and policy oriented research, advocacy of innovations, research and academic linkages, media advocacy, and forest products enterprise development;
• Identify and support the local forest dependent poor; 
• Enhance interactions and exchanges among diverse actors;
• Disseminate and scale out innovation products and processes; 
• Strengthen capacity of CFUG networks and other local actors; and 
• Develop policy linkages in support of innovations.

Major duties of the Research and Documentation Specialist

• Research design, interviewing with diverse stakeholders to develop in-depth understanding around key learning questions of the project as well as evolving issues experienced during project implementation
• Synthesis and analysis of field reports and audio-visual records
• Writing research notes, discussion paper, policy briefs, and other communicative outputs.
• Refine learning questions, formulate working hypotheses around the innovation systems in forestry using various approaches 
• Conduct researches related to technical and institutional innovations in forestry in relation to the issues identified through the project implementation process. 
• Provide analytical feed back to the project processes
• Maintain good contacts with other researchers, project partners and other stakeholders 
• Conduct field investigations in three RPIS districts in coordination with other project team members and partners. 

Competencies

• Strong writing and analytical skills and ability write research reports and articles 
• Ability to work independently
• Strong IT skills together with good knowledge on data analysis software  e.g. SPSS
• Demonstrates strong organizational and reporting skills;
• Willingness and ability to work and live in remote locations as and when required (about 30-40% time in the field)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to learning based approaches to institutional change  and familiarity with relevant theoretical approaches such as adaptive collaborative management, social/organizational learning, innovation systems, and participatory action research
• Strong team player

Education

At least Master’s Degree or equivalent from recognized university in natural resource management, environmental economics, forestry or equivalent. Ph.D. in above mentioned area will be given priority. 

Experience

At least 5 years of working experience in research or development work. - Proven strong analytical capacity and the capacity to translate such analysis into easily accessible and concise reports;

How to apply

Applications are invited from enthusiastic, dynamic and highly qualified Nepalese citizens for above mentioned position. A short application stating why you fit with the position along with updated CV should be submitted to search Committee in forestaction@wlink.com.np no later than 23 January 2010. 

The position will be effective from February, 2010.