the position description

JOB DESCRIPTION
Position title:
Luc Hoffmann Institute Fellow
Project:
China National Parks for People
Grade:
B1 Academic Staff (Post-doc of Beijing Normal University)
Reports to:
Prof. Su Yang (DRC, State Council of P.R.C.), Prof. Cheng
Hongguang, Dr. WANG Lei (WWF China) and Dr. Louise
Gallagher (WWF Luc Hoffmann Institute)
Announcement Date:
15 April 2015
I. Mission of the Department: The Luc Hoffmann Institute is an independent research hub
at WWF. The aim is to explore complex conservation research questions and work with
the WWF global network and partners from leading academic institutions, think tanks and
organisations from the public and private sector, to bring science to action. We conduct
research through interdisciplinary collaborative research teams and post-doctoral Luc
Hoffmann Fellows aimed at delivering solutions, tools, and knowledge to the conservation
community, policy and decision-makers. For more information on the Luc Hoffmann
Institute, please visit http://luchoffmanninstitute.org/http://luchoffmanninstitute.org/
II. Project Description: This project aims to develop a relevant, reliable method to rank
and evaluate places according to benefit to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, as well
as socio-economic development to identify potential locations for the new National Parks.
Bringing over three decades of on-the-ground conservation work, and a close working
relationship with the Chinese government, WWF is in a strong position to influence a
cornerstone of China’s future conservation planning by supporting the development of
this method. The China National Park Project aims to provide policy recommendation for
national park system development in China based on scientific research, include national
park’s mapping, selection, planning and innovative management mechanisms. The Luc
Hoffmann Institute Fellow will lead research on key elements and oversee smaller,
contributing projects by local research partners. The Fellow will have an important role in
synthesising findings and promoting the conservation actions desired with key decision
makers. The Luc Hoffmann Institute Fellow will also participate in the Fellows program of
the Luc Hoffmann Institute and relevant activities of WWF.
III. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Ø Take a leading role in the project’s research under the supervision of Prof. Su Yang,
and Dr. Lei WANG (60%), including establishing the supporting projects with local
organizations;
Ø Convene the conservation research team meetings (5%);
Ø Prepare detail workplan and budget plan, policy briefs, methodology roadmap,
conference presentations and other communications of project findings (10%);
Ø Support WWF staff in advocacy with policy makers to implement research findings
(5%);
Ø Engage in the activities of Luc Hoffmann Institute Fellows programme under the
supervision of Dr Gallagher (20%). These activities include: i) Co-authoring a LHI
Science to Action knowledge product; ii) Participating in LHI’s training programme,
including Leadership and Communications training, community blog contributions and
collaborative research; iii) Performing a radar function on current policy and scientific
debates in your field for the Luc Hoffmann Institute community; iv) Receiving
mentoring from the WWF Lead.
Ø Comply with: a) all post-doc hiring policies and procedures of Beijing Normal
University, and in particular those relating to work health and safety and equal
opportunity; b) Luc Hoffmann Institute core values, and c) WWF core values.
IV. Profile:
Required Qualifications
Ø A citizen of a developing country (as defined by the Global Environment Facility).
Ø Early to mid-career professional seeking opportunities for capacity building and
training on translating scientific research into action;
Ø Fluent in written and spoken English and Chinese.
Ø A post graduate degree in a relevant discipline, preferably a doctorate in biology,
ecology, geology, environmental science, environmental economics or other relevant
social science.
Ø Minimum of 3 years’ experience of economic, environmental, social and/or natural
resources management research, including relevant peer-reviewed publications.
Ø Demonstrable skill in written and verbal communication in community and
professional settings.
Ø Strong desire to apply research to real world conservation problem-solving and to
interact with experts from different disciplinary backgrounds in this capacity.
Ø Demonstrable capacity to translate research findings into public policy, including
engagement with government decision makers and non-government organisations.
Ø Knowledge of ecosystem service valuation, Protected Area management, nature and
culture heritage management, policy and stakeholder analysis, economic and social
development issues, in the People’s Republic of China.
Ø Willingness to be based in Beijing and to travel extensively.
Required Skills and Competencies
Ø Strong GIS skills on spatial analysis and land use planning based on ecosystem
services assessment and valuation
Ø Ability and enthusiasm for on-deadline, short timeline tasks
Ø Demonstrable skill in written and verbal communication in community and
professional settings
Ø Discretion, reliability, flexibility, accuracy
Ø Ability to work in multicultural environment and multiple kinds of stakeholders
Ø Capacity to work independently in a team environment
Ø Excellent coordination and communication skills
Ø Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and
Engaging
Desirable Skills and Competencies
Ø Preferably from the People’s Republic of China
Ø Application of tools for ecosystem service valuation and trade-off analysis based on
GIS, such as InVEST, Marxan, etc.
Ø Successful experience of working with different stakeholders, including research
institute, government sectors, NGOs and corporates.
V. Working Relationships
Internal – Works as a part of a close knit team that is both local and remote.
On a day to day basis, the Luc Hoffmann Institute Fellow will report to Dr. Wang Lei of
WWF China. The research will be guided a conservation research team that includes
tutor or Professor from Su Yang( DRC), Cheng Hongguan (Beijing Normal University)
and the WWF Luc Hoffmann Institute, among other partners. The Fellow will have a
working relationship with Universities and CAS, and will be expected to engage a range
of government and non-government decision makers at the national level in PRC.
The WWF China Lead is the first contact for access to resources within the WWF
Network. As the WWF mentor, they are responsible for making sure the Fellow gains a
deep understanding of how WWF functions, and the role of civil society within the issue
under consideration in the research. In addition, the WWF lead is responsible for
maintaining the "user-driven" nature of the research throughout the project life-cycle.
http://en.wwfchina.org/
The WWF Luc Hoffmann Institute Research Lead sits at the boundary between the
academic and WWF leads. They work with the Fellow and research team to make sure
the core values of the institute are embedded in all of our projects - strong, use-inspired
science focused on a target audience, process, or opportunity to change policy or
practice. The research lead is the first point of contact within the Luc Hoffmann
Institute. The fellow shall also participate in the Luc Hoffmann Institute Fellow’s welcome
induction and capacity building program. http://luchoffmanninstitute.org/
Development Research Centre of the State Council is a leading policy research and
consulting institution, mainly responsible for doing research on strategic, long-term
issues in China's economic and social development, and its reforms and opening up.
During the China national park system program development, the intention and needs of
China central government have been elaborated by DRC. As academic mentor, DRC
and Beijing Normal University will jointly guide the fellow on program planning, roadmap
design, report and academic paper writing, as well as providing research resources and
conditions to the fellow. The policy recommendations of our research report will be
submitted to State Council through all available channels, like internal study report or
references for State Council, internal workshop and websites. http://en.drc.gov.cn/
External – Works closely with research institutions, granting agencies, foundations,
multi-lateral organizations and other NGOs.
VI. Location:
The candidate will be affiliated with Beijing Normal University and WWF, and be based in
Beijing, PRC.
Application details:
Application deadline is 15th May 2015. Please submit a CV and motivation letter to:
Dr. Wang Lei
Science, Policy and Innovation Center of WWF China
lwang@wwfchina.org
Tel: +86 10 6511 6211 Ext 6248
WWF-Beijing Office Address:
Room 1609, Wen Hua Gong
Beijing Working People’s Culture Palace
Poset Code: 100006
Beijing, P. R. China