International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Vacancy Announcements 1. Researcher, Mountain Agricultural Systems Vac.2000/3 The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) was established in 1983 to promote an environmentally sound mountain ecosystem and to improve the living standards of the mountain populations of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH). ICIMOD is looking for a suitable person for the position of Researcher, Mountain Agricultural Systems for its project on �Methodologies for Assessing Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas�. The focus of the project is on development of a regional approach towards delineation of characteristic mountain farming systems in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas. The project intends to apply an integrated methodology along identical lines on two scales; one broad regional scale covering the complete Himalayas as an ecoregion and one subregional scale for selected pilot areas in India, Nepal and China. With respect to the regional nature of the approach, data collection for the methodology tries to balance on the optimal line between regional coverage and highest relevance of various farming system aspects. Scaling effects therefore form an inherent part of the methodology. For the integration of regional biophysical and socio-economical data in various states of aggregation and different temporal and spatial resolutions, the project seeks additional input from a researcher with a strong background in the socio-agronomic aspects of mountain agricultural systems. Major Tasks - Contribute to further development and testing of the methodology, in particular related to impacts of agricultural policies - Assist in coordination of work with the regional partner institutions in the Himalayas - Contribute to the compilation of publications and organization of regional workshops to be held by the project. Minimum Qualifications - MSc. or preferably a PhD. with comparative experience in the field of Agricultural Sciences, Geography, Anthropology or related social science - Strong background in systems approaches and affinity with modeling - Strong conceptual capacity to synthesize implications of various policy related development processes - Good knowledge of key issues in agricultural development in the Himalayan region, including knowledge of one or more regional languages - Good background in usage of spatial data and good knowledge of GIS and relational database management system concepts - Excellent communicational skills in English Term: One-and-half years commencing 16 October 2000, or as early as possible. Remuneration: Equivalent to level P1 Interested persons should apply with complete bio-data and names and contact address of three referees to the following address before 25 September 2000.The Personnel Section, ICIMOD GPO Box 3226 Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: (977-1) 524509 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------------- 2. Farming Systems Database Operator Vac.2000/2 ICIMOD is looking for a suitable person for the position of Farming Systems Database Operator for its project on �Methodologies for Assessing Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas�. The focus of the project is on compilation and application of an integrated regional agricultural database. A relational database structure has been designed for this purpose in MSAccess and spatial linkages have been defined using Arc/Info and ArcView software. The core work of the database will consist of the extension of the crop and livestock records and related socio-economic indicators on district level both in space and time. In its aim the database will make an attempt to cover the complete Himalayan Region with an approximate 450 administrative units. Major Tasks - Assist in and guide the compilation of expanding time series data - Provide simple technical backstopping to the Himalayan countries where required - Assist in further development of database aspects and integrity control in MSAccess Minimum Qualifications - MSc. in Agronomy , Geography or related field - Good understanding of biophysical as well as socio-economic aspects of mountain farming realities, agricultural data and data collection procedures. - Affinity with computer based work, relational database maintenance and design. - Good understanding and working skills in MSAccess relational databases. Knowledge of GIS will be an advantage - Good communicational skills in English both in speaking and professional writing - Willingness to learn and further explore aspects of database development in a spatial context. Term: One-and-half years commencing 16 October 2000, or as early as possible. Remuneration: Equivalent to level GS 5 - LOCAL SALARY SCALE Interested persons should apply with complete bio-data and names and contact address of three referees to the following address before 20 September 2000. The Personnel Section, ICIMOD GPO Box 3226 Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: (977-1) 524509 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please feel free to publish these announcement on appropriate bulletin boards, and we would appreciate it of you disseminated it to friends and colleagues who have no access to email and the Internet.
