Post Doctoral Researcher (Principal Scientist) at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)

KMFRI is seeking to recruit a self-motivated professional who will fill the fixed term (15 months) position of Post doctoral researcher in our new research project: Local Roots and Global Branches: Incorporating Blue Carbon into Nationally Determined Contributions.
The ‘Local Roots Project’ will provide research and policy guidance on how to incorporate Blue Carbon (specifically from mangroves but potentially from other blue carbon ecosystems) into Kenya’s nationally determined contributions (NDC’s) to climate change. It will consider how successful established local carbon projects can best be accommodated in a national framework and how the Kenyan experience can be shared internationally. The project is being implemented by KMFRI and Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland with funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council and other agencies. We are looking for a high caliber, self-motivated and experienced researcher with postgraduate expertise in relevant fields such as blue carbon and environmental policy.

The Project Assistant will be under direct supervision of the Principal Investigators (PIs), Dr James Kairo and Professor Mark Huxham. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Post-doctoral Researcher will be responsible for:

• Leading the research on nationally determined contributions (NDC) level policy within Kenya
• Building and supporting a network of stakeholders within Kenya engaged in the nationally determined contributions (NDC) process, with particular reference to Blue Carbon
• Organising stakeholder meetings and focus groups, to collect research data and ensure capacity building and information exchange
• Conducting policy research by collecting, analysing and synthesising existing literature (grey and published) of relevance to the nationally determined contributions (NDC) process
• Collecting and analysing new data, especially from key stakeholders, and contributing to reports, policy briefs and research papers addressing how Kenyan nationally determined contributions (NDC) processes can be optimised for the benefit of the poor and for blue carbon conservation.
• Pro-actively communicate with international policy partners and work with them on the international research outputs.
• Contribute when necessary to international meetings and communications.
• Support other members of the project team, especially the junior research assistant(s) based in Kenya

Requirements for Appointment

Academic/Professional Qualifications

• PhD in natural resources management, geography, forestry, or related field is essential.

Other Necessary Skills and Experience

• Ability to lead and organize meetings involving different stakeholders
• Knowledge and experience of working in blue carbon habitats
• Experience of working with environmental policy
• Excellent written and spoken English, including a record of relevant publications (such as peer reviewed papers, policy documents and reports)
• Knowledge of relevant national and international policy, such as SDG’s and nationally determined contributions’ (NDC’s)
• Proven ability to organise time, prioritise and work with a diverse group of project partners

Terms of Employment

The successful candidate shall be engaged on contractual basis for 15 months.

Work Station/ Location

The successful candidate will be able to work mostly from Gazi/Shimoni station but will be expected to travel when necessary, in particular it is anticipated that Nairobi and Mombasa will be used for project meetings and interviews.

Compensation

A competitive salary package will be offered based on KMFRI’s Scheme of service.

Deadline is 15th December 2019.