Call for Applications for the position of RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS FOR GEF 7 - EBONY PROJECT (NATIONALLY RECRUITED STAFF)

IITA Cameroon is looking for a Research Assistant in plant-animal interactions for GEF 7 supported portion of the Ebony Project with exceptional customer service skills, solid problem-solving skills, ability to work well in collaboration with the project partners and stakeholders, excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to work under minimal supervision. The position will be based at IITA Station, Yaoundé and will report directly to the Program Coordinator.

The Congo Basin Institute is joint program between IITA and UCLA hosted by IITA for higher learning and scientific excellence in Central Africa. We generate research that decision makers can use to address sub-Saharan Africa’s environmental and development challenges. CBI is driven by dedicated researchers and donors that support research and training in the Congo Basin.  The Ebony Project is a partnership where business, communities, and researchers work together to protect a valuable timber species, reforest degraded land, address local food security issues, and improve rural livelihoods, and is funded in part by GEF 7.

A – Duties and Responsibilities

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• Develop and implement research protocols to assess the impact of defaunation on tropical forest function
• Finalize a list of 10–15 native tree species based on scientific and ecological criteria.
• create new forest inventory plots to characterize baseline ecological information about the species
• Develop a forest sampling protocol for ecological data (e.g., species demography and abundance).
• Coordinate approval with local communities and authorities to conduct forest inventories
• Lead a field team to conduct forest inventories
• Oversee data collection related to faunal presence using field surveys, wildlife trade data, and Indigenous/local knowledge.
• Integrate these different data sources to elucidate the long-term connections between faunal and floral patterns and interactions
• Collaborate closely with partners to ensure that local perspectives are incorporated in project design and implementation
• Integrate social safeguards and gender considerations into the strategies
• Collaborate with international and national research partners
• Train and mentor Cameroonian students
• Perform other activities as directed by supervisor

B – Qualification

Education: A PhD in ecology, botany or conservation science

Work Experience:

1. Proven analytical and technical expertise, evidenced by at least two first‑author articles in peer‑reviewed ecology journals with impact factors > 1, and a minimum of five publications as first or co‑author with impact factors > 1.
2. Proficiency in geographical information systems and R, including data‑visualization packages.
3. Extensive field experience leading teams during prolonged stays in remote forest environments.
4. Willingness to do prolonged field work in a forest environment.
5. Expertise in ecological surveys—both forest‑tree inventories and faunal inventories (observational methods or fecal sampling)—with thorough knowledge of standard protocols and tools.
6. Familiarity with quantitative ecological methods, such as Distance sampling and species‑distribution modeling.
7. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to thrive in interdisciplinary, multicultural teams.
8. Demonstrated commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully with local and indigenous communities
9. Experience working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and other stakeholders in a participatory manner is an advantage
10. Research experience in fauna and flora interaction will be considered a strong asset.
11. Experience in historical ecology is a plus.

Language: The candidate must be proficiency in English and French both written and spoke

C - Workplace

The incumbent of the position will be based in Yaoundé, Cameroon with at least 25% of time spent in remote field sites for data collection.

D – Contract type and duration

This will be a twenty-four (24) month fixed term position.

E – Working hours

The incumbent must be available to work full time with flexible hours.

F – Restriction

The position is limited to Cameroonian citizens;

G - Equity in employment

IITA encourages applications from women, men, young people who believe they meet the requirements of the position. All applications will be assessed in a fair and objective manner.

H – Application folder

The application file shall include the following documents:

• a completed online application form; kindly fill the form in addition to sending your application file available on https://forms.gle/LxEWyx467yKpJYoq7 
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae including contact details, diploma, research and work experience, grants and awards, and scientific publications but NOT exceeding three pages;
• a letter of motivation (MAXIMUM of one page; where the candidate summarizes his/her past research experience, discusses current interests, and outlines how he/she envisions their future research direction including his/her full names, full address, phone number and email address)
• a copy of the national identity card;
• a copy of the highest academic credential (certificate) and;
• a list of three professional referees including their contacts (one of them must be a current or former supervisor of the candidate).

Applications shall be addressed by e-mail attachments ONLY, latest by August 06^th, 2025 to: 

The Resident Representative

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Cameroon

P.O. Box 2008 Yaoundé (Messa)

Tel : (+237) 696838958

Email: IITACA-HRS@cgiar.org
Application to the position of: GEF 7 Research Assistant in plant-animal interactions

• In addition to your application folder sent by email, kindly fill the mandatory form available on https://forms.gle/LxEWyx467yKpJYoq7 
• Names of all files attached to the application should be named after the candidate.

Only applications received in French or English with a completed online form will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.