We are looking for
For our Water & Food team at Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) we are looking for a hardworking, committed and highly experienced Manager who will also function as a Topic Leader Water-Food-Energy Nexus within the Sustainable Water Management program of WENR. The Senior Expert will build propositions for applied research in the international domain of water and food, with a specific focus on the MENA region.
The Water & Food team carries out applied research, develops innovations and strategies to face challenges of water- and food security and the effects of climate change. We combine and develop knowledge ranging from farm to global level and link social, technical and technological sciences. We offer core expertise and solutions to assist governments, business and non-governmental organisations in applying viable and sustainable solutions related to water management, food production and ecosystem services. Our focus is the international market, we carry out projects in South-America, Africa, Asia and Europe.
As a manager Water & Food your main tasks will be to:
- support the development of competitive advantages and propositions to the international market;
- acquire large multi-annual strategic projects;
- foster effective links with climate, hydrological and agronomic (e.g. crop growth) research;
- lead and execute complex and multi-disciplinary research projects in the WFE-Nexus domain; translate research findings into high-level policy recommendations;
- maintain and broaden the team’s networks within and outside our organization;
- represent the team in relevant fora and media.
We ask
The ideal candidate has/is:
- a degree (MSc) in environmental sciences, like water management, irrigation and drainage, agronomy, hydrology, land use planning or relevant topics with international experience, a PhD is beneficial but not required;
- a highly experienced researcher with at least 15 years relevant working experience, of which at least 10 years internationally, in the above mentioned fields; extensive experience in the MENA-region, Africa and/or Asia;
- proven major contribution to the acquisition of at least 3 international projects of more than 1 million EUR/USD on relevant topics;
- excellent analytical capabilities with a proven track-record on scenario development and model/GIS-applications;
- experience in working with Dutch Embassies and Dutch Ministries;
- able to translate societal and business needs into projects and consortia;
- excellent analytical capabilities with a proven track-record on scenario development and model/GIS-applications;
- proven ability to build cohesive research groups over the various disciplines;
- excellent international network and networking skills;
- excellent communications skills. Can present (scientific) knowledge in accessible language for various stakeholders, including policy makers;
- excellent writing and speaking skills in English and preferably other languages. Dutch is a pre.
We offer
We offer a meaningful full-time position (36 hours). The salary will depend on the qualifications and experience with a gross minimum of € 3829 and a maximum of € 6461, based on 36 hours, in according to the CLA of Wageningen Research (scale 12/13).
The position is initially for 4 years after which a go/no-go decision will be taken for a permanent position. The organization has good and flexible employment conditions, including good education and training facilities.
In addition, we offer:
- 8% holiday allowance;
- a fixed December bonus of 3%;
- excellent educational opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
- flexible working hours and holidays that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- excellent ABP pension regulations;
- 171 hours of leave, with the choice to purchase additional hours, and good additional leave regulations;
- the option to work up to 40 hours a week and accumulate a maximum of 204 compensation hours per year;
- a choice model to partially build your own benefits package, which includes a bicycle scheme;
- a lively green workplace where it is easy to establish new contacts, and where many activities take place on Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research, and business are all represented;
- the opportunity to use the sports facilities on campus for a small fee.
More information
Does this challenge appeal to you and are you curious about the WUR? You can apply up to 10 March 2020, via the apply button on this page.
More details about the role can be obtained by contacting Derk Rademaker (team leader Water & Food), email: [email protected], telephone: +31 (0)317-48 5509
For additional information about the process please contact Edgar Tijhuis (corporate recruiter), email: [email protected], tel +31(0) 6 3926 975
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.
With approximately 30 locations, 6,000 employees, and 12,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. A coordinated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the outstanding approach of Wageningen.
Wageningen Environmental Research is a Research Institute with a focus on green living environment. We combine applied and scientific research in multiple fields of expertise that relate to our living environment and sustainable use of natural resources such as water, nature, environment, soil, landscape, climate and use of land, all in a highly integrative manner. In our research and projects we often team up with (international) partners form the research community, private sector and NGO’s.
For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at the special career site.
Equal opportunities employer
We encourage applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient organization
