Duties and Responsibilities

High-level contributor in all functions of research in the Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) Program and primary responsibility for coordinating the partners to launch the work of the Nature and Communities Fund in Peru and potentially other Latin American countries through: 

  • Coordinate the collaboration with Initiative partners in Peru and otherwise to lead the development of the research and academic agendas and implementation of activities to materialize the vision of the Nature and Communities Project and advance outputs in coordination with ESI faculty Director and the Research Program Director for NCS. 
  • Development and monitoring of a work plan, ensuring progress according to timelines agreed by the ESI and partners. 
  • Coordinate fieldwork and participatory research activities with local partners, including the design of engagement activities, site visits and logistics, and mapping and identifying key actors and local priorities. 
  • Participates in the design, development and execution of research projects within the larger scope, potentially in collaboration with a larger research team, and may contribute original ideas with regard to research directions and/or methodologies, identifying specific research needs, and carry out data gathering, analysis and visualization, as required. 
  • Provide guidance to UROP students UROPs, Graduate Research Assistants, or summer/IAP fellows regarding interpretation of research results and review and critique reports and analysis. 
  • Authors and/or co-authors results and presents findings in peer reviewed journals and other publications. 
  • Prepare and present verbal or multimedia presentations at ESI meetings, workshops with the partners and research conferences, documenting research findings, learning processes and opportunities for further research. 
  • May contribute to the preparation of research narratives for grant proposals within the larger scope of the project. 
  • Follows and/or implements established protocols, policies, and procedures, including ESI’s principles of conduct and engagement. 
  • May participate in formal classroom teaching programs related to the agreed academic agenda between ESI and local partners. 
  • Other duties as assigned by the PI. 

 Direction and Reporting 

  • Works under the direction of the faculty director of ESI and the Director of the Natural Climate Solutions Program. 
  • Independently performs research, receiving general guidance from the PI(s). 
  • Prepares periodic progress reports on all phases of the research project for the research sponsor(s);   
  • Guided by short- to mid-term objectives and focused on key results. 
  • Ability to manage multiple deadlines. 
  • Capacity for innovation, self-motivation, self-learning and ability to work independently. 
  • Ability to manage a multicultural team to work in a collaborative setting and to supervise the work of others in a supportive and engaging manner. 
  • Establishes profile at high-visibility presentations at major conferences and invited talks.  

 Requirements 

  • Master’s in City Planning or similar degree and experience conducting high-level research in the fields of environmental policy and planning, environmental conservation, local economic development, and community-based planning. 
  • Minimum 2 years of related experience in a research environment (which may include experience as a graduate student). 
  • Evidence of potential for original or collaborative scholarship. 
  • Fluency in Spanish (required), and Portuguese (preferred).  

This is a 3-year position.