CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF PROJECT RESEARCH MANAGER (NATIONALLY RECRUITED STAFF) 

IITA Cameroon is seeking a Project Research Manager for the GEF-7-supported portion of the Ebony Project with leadership and management skills, strategic and critical thinking, the ability to work well in collaboration with project partners and stakeholders, strong communication, interpersonal, and ICT skills, and the ability to work under minimal supervision.

The position will be based at the IITA Station in Yaoundé and will report directly to the Program Coordinator. 

The Congo Basin Institute is a 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 who 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 
1. Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the Cameroon Gigante project team, which includes technical coordination (survey data collection supervision) and scientific coordination (survey data processing; coordination with international collaborators) to ensure the achievement and dissemination of the outcomes of the project
• Supervise survey data collection by MINFOF Ecoguards (in person and from Yaoundé)
• Process the survey data using a workflow provided by the Gigante leadership team
• Lead 1-2 publications annually within the framework of the Gigante project or other related CBI activities 
• Participate in regular project meetings with the Cameroon team and the larger, international Gigante team
• Actively participate in fundraising and the writing of research proposals in alignment with the CBI's goals
• Lead updates on Cameroon Gigante activities and progress
• Carry out any other duties as requested by the supervisor
• Perform other activities as directed by the supervisor   

B – Qualification 
2. Education:

• A PhD in forest ecology, geography, forestry, or a related field    

3. Work Experience: 

1. At least five (05) years of experience in forest ecology research in the collection, processing, and analysis of remote sensing and aerial data for assessing forest biomass 
2. Experience in the collection and analysis of lidar data  

4. Language: 

• The candidate must communicate fluently in both English and French. 

C – Key competencies

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and information and communication technology (ICT) skills 
• Strategic and critical thinking
• Leadership and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality peer-reviewed scientific publications 

D – Workplace  

• The incumbent of the position will be based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and will require regular field work.

E – Contract type and duration

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

F – Restriction

• The position is limited to Cameroonian citizens. 

G - Equity in employment

• IITA encourages applications from women, men, and young people who believe they meet the requirements of the position. All applications will be assessed fairly and objectively.

H – Application folder 

The application file shall include the following documents:

• a detailed Curriculum ONLY your shared LINKEDIN CV is considered;
• a cover letter (maximum of one page; including the full names of the candidate, his full address, phone number, and email address)
• a scanned copy of the national identity card
• a scanned copy of all relevant academic diplomas and professional certificates
• a list of three professional referees, including their contacts. 
• a completed online application form; kindly fill the form in addition to sending your application file available on https://forms.gle/FWXoe9pt43oZ8w787

Applications shall be addressed (e-mail attachments/online ONLY), at the latest by April 17, 2026, or 21 calendar days after the publication of the announcement to:   

The Resident Representative 
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Cameroon
P.O. Box 2008 Yaoundé (Messa)
Tel : (+237) 696 838 958
Email: IITACA-HRS@cgiar.org 
Application to the position of: Project Research Manager

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