Introduction
The World Agroforestry Centre recognises the value of developing a diverse and strong pool of research scientists, both for strengthening its own institute and for the increasing needs of the developing world. Whilst the overall low numbers of people entering or retaining research as a career provoke concern, what is more worrying is the gender imbalance. In many countries, fewer than 20% of science positions are held by women and interview application ratios are similarly low. To help address this imbalance the World Agroforestry Centre is establishing a Women’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme, with guidance from the CGIAR Gender & Diversity Programme. The launch of this new Fellowship Programme on 8 March 2008, coincides with International Women’s Day to demonstrate our commitment to recognize and advance gender balance and equity.

In order to provide immediate opportunities to women entering research and to retain women who have initially chosen research as a vocation, the World Agroforestry Centre is in the first instance committing US$300,000 annually from its modest core budget to launch the scheme. It is anticipated that this amount will allow 4-6 fellows to come on board in year 1 as well as leverage additional future investment and interest.

Scope of the Programme 
Women postgraduates are expected to hold a Doctoral degree in a field related to agriculture, agroforestry, biodiversity, biometrics, capacity building, climate change, ecology, economics, environmental policy, forestry, genetic resources, geography, hydrology, impact assessment, institutional strengthening, land degradation, marketing, natural products, natural resource management, or sociology.

Women Fellows under the programme may propose various arrangements to be engaged with the World Agroforestry Centre including secondment from their current institutes, job-sharing, regular employment contract at our headquarters or regular contract at one of our five regional centres. The minimum term for employment is two years. We also want to contribute to development of national research institutes and so willingly support “leave without pay” arrangements, as well as topics of mutual interest between ICRAF and the NARI.

Women Fellows will be assigned a senior scientific supervisor, and be a member of one or more Global Research Project or Regional Teams at ICRAF. Women Fellows will be expected to undertake an approved research study which will include publishing of their results and presentation at international fora. The request from the programme for each Fellow should cover salary, benefits, transport, women’s leadership courses, computing needs, office needs, travel and research expenses.

Whilst candidates will not be excluded on the basis of age or nationality, a preference will be given to applicants below the age of forty five years and those from developing and/or investor countries.

Process for application
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply through one of our five Regional Coordinators (RCs) or six Global Research Project Leaders (GRPLs) identified in the application form (find link below) .

However, applications can also be made directly to our Human Resources Manager, Nancy Ntinu (n.ntinu@cgiar.org). ICRAF is seeing to support both women post-docs whom we know from previous interactions as well as new individuals who may help contribute to our new strategy.

Applications will be considered throughout the year although the first round will likely be decided by applications received before 4 April 2008.

Click here to download the application form…