Duration: 2 years, with possibility of contract extension or development of permanent position (6 months' probation period)
Start date: September-October 2014
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Application deadline: 1 August 2014
Open to: Both external and internal candidates
Salary range: Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience
Profile:
SEI's Africa Centre seeks a Research Fellow to work on issues related to water and ecosystem services. The successful candidate will be part of a small, dynamic team and will help shape a new agenda for action-oriented research and capacity-building on policies to effectively manage water resources and ecosystems services. (S)he will also engage with SEI colleagues from the other centres as well as national and international project partners. This position reports to the Centre Director as well as to managers of specific projects in which the Research Fellow is involved.
Job responsibilities:
- Work on existing and new projects as per general tasks;
- Lead the development of new projects and programmes and obtain necessary funding;
- Lead the planning and coordinating activities at SEI Africa related to water and environmental policy and politics, the water-energy-food nexus and ecosystems services;
- Support research, communication and outreach on water, sanitation, land and ecosystem services at SEI; and
- Develop and maintain a contact network of researchers, decision-makers and partner organisations in Africa relevant to the SEI work on water and ecosystem services.
Essential qualifications:
- Masters or Ph.D. in interdisciplinary water/environmental analysis, economics, applied sciences, or a related field (NOTE: a Master's degree must be complemented by a number of years experience in a strong research or policy organization);
- Fluency in spoken and written English;
- Experience working in the thematic areas of water, land and ecosystem services in Africa;
- Experience in policy-relevant and interdisciplinary research;
- Experience and proven ability to work in international, multi-disiplinary research teams;
- Proven track record of developing new projects and programmes and obtaining necessary funding
- Knowledge and capability to analyse policies and programmes in the context of the water governance, the water-energy-food nexus and management of ecosystem services;
- Ability to prepare articles, policy briefs, working papers and other publications;
- Ability to coordinate workshops, manage publications and supervise interns;
- Ability to represent SEI at conferences;
- Ability to work independently, without much instruction from the management, as well as being comfortable working in international teams in a virtual environment, both as team leader and as team member; and
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills for both technical and public audiences.
Note: Applicants of any nationality are welcome, but applicants from Africa and/or with significant working experience in Africa will be given priority.
Desirable attributes:
- Fluency or working ability in Kiswahili and/or other relevant languages;
- Experience in fundraising for significant projects and liaising with funding agencies;
- Experience in capacity-building activities;
- Working knowledge of sustainable/productive sanitation;
- Working knowledge of agricultural economics;
- Track record of publications on water and/or ecosystem services issues in peer-reviewed journals and/or scientific reports; and
- Comfortable with detailed analysis and fieldwork to support research.
How to apply:
Applications should be submitted in PDF format and should consist of a CV and a cover letter that includes the names and contact details of three referees. Applications should be written in English and sent as soon as possible but no later than 31 July 2014. They should be sent by e-mail to vacancies-africa@sei-international.org. Please use the subject line 'Water Research Fellow - [Applicant's Last Name] - [Applicant's First Name]'.
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