Director, Tropical Conservation and Development Program Center for Latin American Studies
University of Florida The Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida (UF) seeks to hire a Director for its Tropical Conservation and Development (TCD) Program. The Director will lead and advocate for an innovative, world-class research and training program with over 100 faculty affiliates; foster, maintain and strengthen partnerships with colleagues and institutions at UF and with partner organizations throughout the world; secure extra-mural funding; and help strengthen a dynamic research and training program with a long-range vision for the future. The Director of TCD reports to the Director of the Center for Latin American Studies and will hold a joint appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor between the Center and a relevant disciplinary department. The Director must have an earned doctorate or equivalent professional degree and demonstrate relevant experience in the tropics and/or sub-tropics through a distinguished record in research, teaching and practice in conservation and development. The Director should also be able to communicate effectively with diverse constituencies in English as well as one or more languages used in tropical regions, and show evidence of fundraising and administrative skills, including a strong commitment to participatory governance. The mission of the Tropical Conservation and Development Program is to bridge theory and practice to advance biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, and human well-being in the tropics. TCD’s main goals are: to train graduate-level professionals, particularly those from developing countries, to promote inter-disciplinary scholarship and practice; to promote cross-national, integrative, comparative problem-centered research; and to strengthen and expand learning action networks. The UF Center for Latin American Studies is the oldest and one of the largest Latin American Studies programs in the United States. The Latin American program was formed in the 1930s and was renamed the Center for Latin American Studies in 1963. It was among the first institutions in the country to be designated a National Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and to receive assistance through fellowships and the USDE’s Title VI program. Today, the Center is one of the top-ranked centers in the world. While the Center houses TCD, there is articulation of TCD with other area studies, such as African Studies. TCD offers an interdisciplinary graduate certificate and specialization in Tropical Conservation and Development. Over the years, TCD has attracted many excellent graduate students from diverse countries around the world with wide-ranging interests related to tropical conservation and development. TCD graduates now occupy leadership roles in many conservation and development organizations worldwide. More information about the Center for Latin American Studies and TCD program can be found at: http://www.latam.ufl.edu/. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae; a letter of application describing experience, vision and qualifications related to this position; and names and addresses of four references. Address correspondence to: Chair, Director of Tropical Conservation and Development Search Committee, Center for Latin American Studies, University of Florida, PO Box 115530, Gainesville, FL 32611. The search committee will begin reviewing applications on November 30, 2009 and will continue to receive applications until the position is filled. The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified women and minority group members. The selection process will be conducted in accord with the provisions of Florida "Government in the Sunshine" and Public Records laws. Search Committee meetings and interviews will be open to the public; and all applications, CV’s and other documents related to the search will be available for public inspection.
