OPPORTUNITY: Science and Research Associate
POSITION TITLE: Science and Research Associate
DEPARTMENT: Biodiversity Knowledge Management
DIVISION: Biodiversity Science
DURATION OF CONTRACT: One year (renewable)
DUTY STATION: Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
REPORTING TO: Biodiversity Science Division Director
TERMS OF REFERENCE
A. BACKGROUND
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is an intergovernmental regional centre of excellence established through an agreement among the Governments of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2005. The ACB facilitates cooperation and coordination among the members of ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organisations, on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources in the ASEAN region.
The Biodiversity Science Division will strengthen the ability of the ACB to provide timely and crucial information to the ASEAN Members State on matters relevant to protection and conservation of biodiversity, climate-change resilience, and human health and welfare. The Division will gather, analyse, and synthesise available and validated biodiversity data and information to develop an information system on the status of biodiversity in the ASEAN region. It will consistently update the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook publication to support science-based policymaking in the region. The Division is tasked to ensure that scientific information and knowledge products of the ACB undergo a peer-review process, in consultation with members of the ACB Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The Division will also function as the Secretariat of the SAC to help coordinate its activities and provide support to members in accomplishing tasks.
The ACB is seeking dynamic, innovative, and committed candidates for the position of Science and Research Associate whose primary function is to assist the division on the day to day operations.
B. SCOPE OF DUTIES
Under Biodiversity Science Division of the Biodiversity Knowledge Management (BKM) Department and the supervision of the Biodiversity Science Division Director, the Science and Research Associate will perform the following:
1. 1 Research and Data Management
1.1. 1 Conduct research on species and protected areas data in the ASEAN region from reliable online sources, biodiversity databases, including collaboration with data holders in the ASEAN region
1.1. 2 Encode species records in DarwinCore format using the online and offline species encoders
1.1. 3 Encode Protected Areas records online and offline followings IUCN’s World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) format, coordinate with ASEAN Heritage Parks/Protected Area focal points to validate existing protected area records, as well as update of current data-holdings as necessary
1.1. 4 Process and analyse species and protected areas data to support the preparation of various knowledge products that may be developed such as the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook series
1.1. 5 Assist in setting up the Department’s reference management system
1. 2 Preparation of Knowledge Products
1. 2. 1 Conduct research on information necessary in the development of e-books and videos (e.g. Pollinators, Inland Waters, Peatlands etc.) to highlight the importance of biodiversity, issues/concerns and solutions towards biodiversity conservation
1. 2. 2 Assist in the updating of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) meta database and populate the TKDL from readily available online sources and where available, nationally developed TKDLs
1. 2. 3 Provide technical support to the Science and Research Officer in the preparation of publications assigned to BKMD
1. 3 Capacity Building
1. 3. 1 Update assigned training modules for BKM-organised workshops as necessary
1. 3. 2 Assist in delivering lectures on biodiversity data standardisation, Species Data Encoding DarwinCore terms, and Integrated Publishing Toolkit concepts etc.
1. 3. 3 Assist in the organisation of workshops/seminars on data organisation and management, and clearing-house mechanism (CHM) establishment and maintenance
1. 4 Support to ACB initiatives and projects
1. 4. 1 Support the conduct of activities related to the implementation of ACB projects and activities
1. 4. 2 Provide technical support to the following programme areas: Climate Change and Biodiversity, Invasive Alien Species, Taxonomy, Species Conservation and Wildlife Enforcement, Transboundary Areas
1. 4. 3 Assist on activities relevant to the ACB SAC
1. 4. 4 Assist the preparation of specific knowledge management products as may be assigned
1. 4. 5 Provide technical support in the preparation of publications assigned to BKM
1.5 Write one (1) article per year that is related to his field of specialisation and drawing on relevant and valid data and information. The article may be technical or popular in nature and will be published either online in the ASEAN CHM or the ASEAN Biodiversity Dashboard or in an appropriate, reputable, and peer-reviewed local or international research journal.
1.6 Integrate or share his/her outputs, whenever needed, with those from other staff of BKM and other units of ACB
1. 7 Perform other related tasks that may be assigned by the Supervisor(s) from time to time.
C. QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Work Experience
- Must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, environmental management, or other related fields, or its equivalency requirements of Bachelor’s Degree in a non-related field with three (3) years of related work experience
Skills/Ability
- Must have the ability to comply with work quality and deadlines
- Must provide assurance of the functionality of his / her outputs
- Knowledge in MS Office software for statistical analysis
- Knowledge in data processing software
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of the Philippines
D. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
Core Values
- Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly
- Prudence, dependability, and accountability
Core Competencies
- Communication, teamwork, planning and organising, accountability, creativity, commitment to continuous learning, and technological awareness
E. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants should prepare the following and send all to acb.hr@aseanbiodiversity.org:
- A letter of intent of no more than two pages, elaborating how his/her qualifications and experiences make him/her suitable for the position. Address the letter to Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim. JP 2024-08 Science and Research Associate should be indicated in the aforesaid letter.
- Updated curriculum vitae, and diploma, or transcript of records and,
- A completed Job Application Form (which can be downloaded here)
(**if the link does not download automatically, please RIGHT-CLICK on the link and select OPEN LINK IN NEW TAB or SAVE LINK AS)
Interested applicants are advised to visit www.aseanbiodiversity.org for further details on eligibility and documentary requirements for the subject post. Deadline for submission of completed applications is on 13 April 2024. Only applications with complete documentary requirements (Letter of Intent, completed Job Application Form, and curriculum vitae) will be processed. Applications received beyond this date will not be considered. All applicants will be given notice as to the status of their application. Previous applicants may apply again.
F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) does not ask for payment at any stage of its recruitment process (application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee) nor authorises anyone to officially receive applications from prospective candidates, except through the ACB Human Resources Division. We advise the public to be vigilant when dealing with financial transactions online and to report any suspicious individuals or accounts representing the ACB.