About Landscape Alliance: Landscape Alliance (LA) is the operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF). It transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. CIFOR and ICRAF are independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers.
About the position: This position, embedded in Peru country team, sits at the heart of the Landscape Alliance's Agroforestry theme including collaborative, field-embedded working at the interface of research, practice, and policy. The role actively engages with the Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program of CGIAR https://www.cgiar.org/cgiar-research-portfolio-2025-2030/multifunctional-landscapes , one of the most ambitious global research portfolios for 2025–2030, generating evidence for science-based solutions at the intersection of food systems, biodiversity, climate resilience, and landscape governance.
This is a long-term institutional opportunity, beginning with an initial 8 months contract with strong potential for renewal and professional growth within the Landscape Alliance. From day one, the role contributes to a rich ecosystem of partnerships — with local organizations, producer associations, and institutional stakeholders in Ucayali and nationally, reflecting the Alliance's commitment to science co-produced with and for the communities it serves.
Core Focus: The Research Associate will play a central role in consolidating and expanding a farmer-led Network of Co-learning Sites for Tree-Based and Agroforestry Systems along the Pucallpa–Aguaytía Agrforestry corridor and within the framework of activities of the Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program. This network is a cornerstone of the Alliance's agroforestry scaling strategy in Peru, combining technical assistance, innovation, and knowledge exchange to catalyze farmer-driven landscape transformation. The work strengthens the Alliance's agroforestry presence in Ucayali and advances its national scale-up agenda through evidence-based technical assistance and knowledge co-production.
This role offers a unique opportunity to grow within a world-class research institution, contribute to frontier agroforestry science, and help shape the future of sustainable landscapes in the Amazon.
•
Lead the establishment, implementation, and monitoring of co-learning and
demonstration sites for tree-based systems in Ucayali, following Landscape
Alliance (CIFOR&ICRAF) methodologies and information management standards.
•
Support the institutional coordination
and positioning of the co-learning network within the corridor’s
multi-stakeholder platforms, ensuring
fluid coordination among all actors involved in field implementation.
•
Contribute to the development, testing, and iterative refinement of plot, farm,
and community assessment and planning methodologies, with a focus on practical
usability under field conditions.
•
Collaborate in the organization, facilitation, and reporting of training
sessions, peer-exchange events, and participatory workshops linked to the
co-learning site network and translation into innovative approaches to
technical assistance.
•
Participate in MFL institutional activities and partner coordination; assist in
the preparation of technical reports, progress summaries, communication, and
documentation contributing to Landscape Alliance’s research outputs and to
institutional learning and communication processes in Ucayali.
Requirements
What
are we looking for?
· Master’s degree in agroforestry, environmental
management or related fields is desirable.
· Education: Bachelor’s degree (with completed
thesis) in Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Agronomy, or a related field.
· Experience: A minimum of 8 years of field
experience leading agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, restoration, or
natural resource management activities preferentially in smallholder contexts
· Demonstrated experience designing, implementing
and monitoring agroecology based agoreforestry practices in production systems
(oil palm, cacao, coffee), including the integration of trees species,
vegetative cover, and restoration actions at plot, farm, and landscape scale.
· Languages: Full professional proficiency in
Spanish; working knowledge of English.
· Desirable: Familiarity with sustainability
standards and supply-chain sustainability approaches applied in the Amazon
region, and experience in environmental monitoring, carbon assessment,
biodiversity-related activities, or agroecosystem evaluation (considered a
strong asset).
· Desirable: Previous working experience in the
Peruvian Amazon, particularly in Ucayali, and familiarity with the
socio-environmental context, local production systems, and stakeholder dynamics
in the region.
Benefits
What
are we offering?
· Fixed-term contract from August 2026 to March
2027, with strong possibility of renewal based on performance and fund
availability.
· Integration into a world-class,
multidisciplinary research team within the Landscape Alliance (CIFOR &
ICRAF) and the CGIAR network.
· Access to international research and field
methodologies, tools, and knowledge networks in agroforestry and landscape
management.
· A collaborative, diverse, and equal-opportunity working environment committed to inclusion and professional development.
· The
opportunity to contribute to high-impact
science for development in one of the most ecologically and
socially significant landscapes in the Amazon.
How
to apply?
Please
visit the following link: http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ to submit your
cover letter of no more than three pages, including evidence of relevant
experience and the contact details of at least two references (recent
supervisors preferred).
We
welcome the use of AI tools in the preparation of application materials.
However, candidates must include a brief declaration specifying how AI was used
(e.g., drafting, editing, translation). Applications that include AI-generated
content without declaration may be excluded from consideration.
The
deadline for the receipt of applications is July 29, 2026.
This
position WILL NOT have contact with children or vulnerable adults.
We
look forward to receiving applications from individuals with disabilities who
are willing to contribute their talents and skills to our team. If you require
specific accommodation for the selection process due to a disability, please do
not hesitate to inform us.
Learn
more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org
CIP
is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from
developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree (with completed thesis) in Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Agronomy, or related field
- Master's degree in agroforestry, environmental management or related fields
- Minimum of 8 years of field experience leading agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, restoration, or natural resource management activities, preferably in smallholder contexts
- Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and monitoring agroecology-based agroforestry practices in production systems (oil palm, cacao, coffee), including tree integration, vegetative cover, and restoration at plot, farm, and landscape scales
- Full professional proficiency in Spanish and working knowledge of English
- Familiarity with sustainability standards and supply-chain sustainability approaches in the Amazon; experience in environmental monitoring, carbon assessment, biodiversity activities, or agroecosystem evaluation
- Previous working experience in the Peruvian Amazon, particularly Ucayali, and familiarity with local socio-environmental context and stakeholder dynamics
What We Do
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Its science aims to reduce poverty, enhance food and nutrition security, and improve natural resources and ecosystem services.
