Individual Consultant (Tree & Carbon) at IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)

Job Description

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The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a leading nonprofit organization founded in 1967, invites applications from qualified professionals for a consultancy role at its Ibadan, Oyo State campus. IITA is guided by a mission to lift millions out of poverty and revitalize farmland across Africa, fostering sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

Working with IITA offers professional growth in a multidisciplinary, multicultural environment, along with competitive benefits including salary, health insurance, internet access, and a serene campus setting.

Location: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-Time (Consultancy)
Category: Consulting / Environmental Science

Role Overview:
The consultant will lead a comprehensive tree inventory and carbon assessment across the IITA–Ibadan campus, which includes natural forests, reforested areas, an arboretum, a golf course, and built-up zones. The role aims to support IITA’s sustainability objectives, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to scientific research publications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct detailed tree inventories across all land-use categories on campus.
• Quantify aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and soil carbon stocks using standardized methodologies (IPCC/FAO guidelines).
• Develop carbon maps and spatially explicit models integrating field measurements, GIS, and remote sensing data.
• Collate, analyze, and report data, producing at least one peer-reviewed scientific manuscript for international journals (Scopus/Web of Science).
• Provide monthly updates and knowledge transfer to IITA Forest Center staff.
• Support capacity building in forest monitoring techniques.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Forestry, Environmental Science, Ecosystem Restoration, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in forest carbon assessment or ecosystem monitoring.
• Proven expertise in GIS, remote sensing, carbon accounting, and quantitative methods.
• Track record of scientific publications in forest inventory or tree carbon assessment.
• Experience in mentoring, training, and capacity building.
• Strong analytical, communication, and scientific writing skills.
• Experience with international organizations or donor-funded projects is a plus.