Landscape Research Assistant at Conservation International

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a fixed-term position of 1 year, renewable subject to mutual agreement and availability of funds. The position's main focus relates to the overall responsibility of undertaking research work as part of the project “Restoring nature and peace threatened by climate change: monitoring human security benefits of EbA in Kenya”

• Support the project manager in Kenya and lead the data collection in the field.
• Support the development of household surveys and surveys for key informant interviews.
• Select, train, supervise and provide support to local enumerators that will conduct monthly household surveys.
• Organize and lead key informant interviews with community members and community leaders.
• In liaison with the project manager, organize and lead meetings with local communities and decision-makers to discuss project activities and results.
• Review data collected on household surveys and during key informant interviews.
• Lead the preparation of materials to be presented and shared during meetings.
• Lead data analysis collected during household surveys and key informant interviews.
• Perform other roles that may be assigned by the line supervisor.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Organize and lead meetings with CI project partners (BigLife and MWCT) to coordinate field activities and community engagement.
• Organize field research logistics and resources.
• Ensure research data quality assurance.

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• This role does not have direct management of staff but will closely work and support research peers.
• Accountable for operating funds and ensures accounting for expended funds within established CI guidelines.
• Responsible for safety and proper use of the facilities and equipment assigned to facilitate field activities.

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya
• The role will involve frequent field visits which may require traveling in remote areas up to 40% of the time.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 2 to 4 years of experience in research work, conservation, and familiarity with concepts and tools required to undertake socio-economic surveys and data analysis.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively establish and maintain an excellent working relationship in the multicultural-ethnic environment and respect diversity.
• Experience organizing and leading workshops/meetings with local communities.
• Skilled to handle and analyze large data sets.
• Experience in Microsoft office.
• Experience working in rangeland ecosystems and with pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.
• Right to live and work in Kenya.
• Excellent command and fluency of both oral and written English and Swahili.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to easily interact with an interdisciplinary team of staff and partners.
• Ability to work remotely and in challenging field conditions.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methodologies with a deep understanding of statistical software.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS or QGIS.
• Computer skills including at least one of the following: SPSS, STATA, LIMDEP, SAS, GAMS.
• Experience with conservation-related research and team management.
• Experience with human-human and human-wildlife conflicts-related research.
• Working knowledge of local dialects in Southern Kenya.
• Available and willing to start work immediately.
• The successful candidate is expected to be on board in June of 2022.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Natural Resources, Agricultural Economics, or other related relevant fields, or Post-graduate degree.