The Tour du Valat is a private foundation working for the research and conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Founded in 1954 by Dr Luc Hoffmann and based in the Camargue, it is at the cutting edge of multidisciplinary fields of research, building bridges between science, management and public policies. The main objective for the Tour du Valat is to change the behavior and decisions made by governments and the wider society in the Mediterranean basin to achieve that wetlands are conserved and sustainably managed towards the future.
The Tour du Valat has internationally recognized scientific expertise, and provides practical responses to problems regarding the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. The Tour du Valat’s projects are carried out in the Camargue and around the Mediterranean basin.
The Tour du Valat employs 80 people, including 10 researchers and about 8 Ph.D. In addition Tour du Valat hosts on its site several organizations and receives numerous trainees and volunteers.
The “Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory” department at the Tour du Valat develops knowledge to monitor the state and trends of Mediterranean wetlands to provide an evidence base for governance and management decisions. Using a series of themes and indicators, the Observatory produces syntheses on the status and trends of Mediterranean wetlands, analyzes the causes and consequences of changes in a number of parameters including biodiversity and the services provided by wetlands. The Tour du Valat, and the Mediterranean Wetland Observatory in particular, are seeking for ways to improve our strategy for impact in international policy conventions (i.e. Ramsar convention, Barcelona Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity, CMS/AEWA, etc.) and are working in close link with the MedWet initiative (www.medwet.org [1]).
The Tour du Valat is seeking a researcher and project leader to strengthen its influence on policies and sustainable management practices related to Mediterranean wetlands
The position is located within the Mediterranean Wetland Observatory. The main tasks of the selected candidate will be:
- To help build and improve the strategy for the Tour du Valat to achieve influence on policy and management decisions for the conservation and sustainable use of Mediterranean wetlands at the level of the entire Mediterranean basin;
- To actively participate in and strengthen international networks at multiple spatial scales and different actors (e.g. NGOs, decision makers, site managers, farmers, companies);
- To contribute with a research-action perspective to the scientific program of the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory with the objective to facilitate change in current policies and management strategies towards effective conservation and sustainable use of Mediterranean wetlands;
The candidate should have:
- A double expertise with on the one hand an in depth understanding of environmental challenges, and on the other hand an understanding of the geopolitical context and the institutional processes in the countries of the Mediterranean basin;
- The capacity to develop these two expertises into international collaborations, scientific research and communication products towards the wider public;
- A capacity to mobilise groups of institutional partners or societal actors towards common goals and the practical implementation of these;
- A genuine interest in exploring and understanding the institutional and cultural context of countries in the Mediterranean;
- An excellent capacity for analysis and synthesis;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and writing skills in French and English for different audiences (e.g. NGOs, decision makers, site managers, farmers, companies).
The selected candidate should have:
- A PhD or relevant diploma/experience in a relevant subject;
- A scientific education in international relations and political sciences;
- A strong affinity with actors and action based research methods in an international context,
- A demonstrated interest in applied interdisciplinary research and nature conservation, in particular ecology, geography and environmental sociology;
- A successful working experience in a relevant field of at least 3 years related to the profile of the position.
- An experience with the development and management of projects (replying to calls for funding, coordination of projects, reporting, knowledge of funding bodies and their programs).
The following capacities are also sought:
- Knowledge of issues related to wetland conservation;
- Fluency of languages other than French and English, including Arabic, Spanish, …
- A capacity to work autonomously and being a team-player
- Good self-organization skills
Monthly Salary: €2500-3150 gross according to experience (CCNA convention)
Working location: Tour du Valat, Camargue, Le Sambuc, Arles, France, with frequent international travel, particularly in the Mediterranean basin.
Starting date: October 1st, 2018
How to apply:
Send the application file to Florence Daubigney (e-mail [2]) (ref: TdV-2018-OZHM) by the 25th of August 2018, with:
- A cover letter;
- A resume/CV
- A list of publications;
- A research program proposition (max. 2 pages);
- The names and contact details of three references (with e-mail addresses), including a recent employer.
The shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview on the 10th of September 2018. They will make a short presentation of their research and their proposed program to the selection committee. Travelling expenses can be reimbursed at the applicant’s request.
For any questions concerning the application procedure, please contact Florence Daubigney (e-mail [2]).