Project Research Manager

Job Title and Organisation

**IITA Cameroon** is seeking a **Project Research Manager** for the GEF-7-supported portion of the Ebony Project. The ideal candidate must possess leadership and management skills, strategic and critical thinking abilities, strong collaboration skills to work effectively with project partners and stakeholders, excellent communication, interpersonal, and ICT skills, as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision. The position will be based at the IITA station in Yaoundé and will report directly to the Program Coordinator.

About the Institutions

The Congo Basin Institute (CBI) is a joint program between IITA and UCLA, hosted by IITA, dedicated to higher learning and scientific excellence in Central Africa. It generates 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. The project is funded in part by GEF-7.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the Cameroon Gigante project team, including technical coordination (supervision of survey data collection) and scientific coordination (survey data processing and coordination with international collaborators) to ensure the achievement and dissemination of project outcomes
• Supervise survey data collection by MINFOF Ecoguards (both in person and remotely from Yaoundé)
• Process survey data using a workflow provided by the Gigante leadership team
• Lead one to two 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 contribute to fundraising efforts and the writing of research proposals aligned with CBI’s goals
• Lead updates on Cameroon Gigante activities and progress
• Carry out any other duties as requested by the supervisor

Qualifications

Education

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

Work Experience

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

Language

• The candidate must communicate fluently in both English and French

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

Workplace

The incumbent will be based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and will be required to perform regular fieldwork.

Contract Type and Duration

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

Restriction

The position is limited to Cameroonian citizens.

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.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by email (attachments only) no later than April 17, 2026, or 21 calendar days after the publication of this announcement. The application file must include a detailed curriculum vitae (LinkedIn CV only), a cover letter (maximum one page), a scanned copy of the national identity card, scanned copies of all relevant academic diplomas and professional certificates, a list of three professional referees, and a completed online application form (available at: https://forms.gle/FWXoe9pt43oZ8w787). Please fill out the form in addition to sending your application file.