Senior Research Scientist – Biodiversity & Social Monitoring at Wildlife Works

Overall Role: Wildlife Works seeks to recruit a Senior Research Scientist (SRS) who will work with other research staff under the guidance of the Director, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), on issues related to biodiversity and social research for Wildlife Works’ growing REDD+ portfolio in Kenya, and elsewhere in Africa.

The SRS will primarily spearhead, provide guidance and support to biodiversity and social monitoring teams in the KCRP. S/he will also support the Director, ESG in activities related to research, documentation, dissemination and outreach, and policy development on these matters.

The successful applicant will be responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of Wildlife Works’ Biodiversity and Social monitoring strategies for the KCRP, but also supporting other REDD+ projects across Africa.

This role requires a dynamic team player with good project management skills, the ability to run and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously as well as experience working globally across cultural, geographic and time zone boundaries. S/he shall be expected to be flexible and work within the existing structures, professionally and ethically with competence, accountability and integrity.

Major duties and responsibilities

The role of the SRS will include the following activities:

• Define, design and execute Wildlife Works’ Biodiversity and Social monitoring strategies for the KCRP. This involves evaluating various methods and monitoring protocols to determine the most appropriate ones for each project setting or objective, whilst balancing scientific rigour, cost, ease-of-execution, and replicability
• Support Wildlife Works’ REDD+ projects’ validation and verification audits, particularly ensuring delivery of accurate and complete information for reporting requirements, both for validation or verification bodies and financial partners, plus resolving biodiversity and social impact-related questions from clients or auditors under guidance from the Director ESG
• Write, and/or support writing of, concise and informative internal reports plus scientific, peer-reviewed publications, including dissemination of lessons learned and contributions to best practices from the KCRP and other Wildlife Works’ projects for research, knowledge and learning purposes
• Link with relevant REDD+ policy processes nationally, especially on REDD+ nesting and safeguards, to ensure Wildlife Works’ interests, opinions and positions on private sector engagement and MRV are articulated in the best way
• Develop and maintain professional networks, including research and Government, build research partnerships and propel research and monitoring excellence at Wildlife Works
• For Wildlife Works’ REDD+ projects in Africa, support the Director, ESG as needed in working with or training partners on the ground to develop and implement Biodiversity and Social monitoring plans that are adequate for compliance with key standards such as CCBA, and reflect company’s ethos
• Conducting desk research or rapid reconnaissance field visits to prospective REDD+ projects in Kenya and elsewhere across Africa whenever needed, describing their biodiversity and community (social) profiles including key drivers of forest loss and potential impacts
• Provide in-house expert guidance and support for the screening of prospective Wildlife Works’ projects for potential environmental and social impacts and risks, plus identification of risk management opportunities or mitigation strategies
• While Wildlife Works commits to fund core monitoring budgets fully, solicit co-funding and grants for undertaking offshoot or student biodiversity or social research that augments core research work
• Represent Wildlife Works in various local and international meetings and forums.

(NB: While the description above covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks anticipated for this position, other tasks may be assigned as necessary in line with organisational needs.)

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or higher degree (PhD a strong advantage) in environmental- or social-related field including environmental planning and policy, sustainable or community development, wildlife management, environmental science and management, or other relevant fields
• A minimum of ten years’ work experience post-MSc (preferably international and/or with clear application) in academia, the private sector, a development research organisation or other institution undertaking research, monitoring and/or impact assessment.

Required Skills and Competencies (obligatory)

• Experience with managing research projects and interfacing with external partners, such as multi-laterals or other bilateral development or public agencies in Kenya (experience elsewhere in Africa an added advantage)
• Demonstrated familiarity with the environmental and social impacts of climate change and forest loss, including adaptation and mitigation options like Payment for Ecosystem Services
• Good understanding of monitoring and evaluation principles, conducting impact assessments and risk-based approaches to managing projects and programmes
• High level of proficiency with MS Office Suite (including Access) and other core research programs like mapping (ArcMap or QGIS), statistics (SPSS, R or similar), project management tools and other specialised tools (like SMART, Distance, Wrike, MIRADI etc)
• Experience with undertaking systematic reviews, meta-analysis or similar evidence synthesis
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills, both popular and scientific, with high levels of attention to detail
• Fluency in English and Swahili is required; French is an added advantage.

Other Skills and Competencies (preferred)

• Strong organisational skills, with a high degree of cultural sensitivity and creative ability to navigate unforeseen complexities
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate with interdisciplinary colleagues and external stakeholders and partners, across a multicultural professional environment
• Good leadership skills, assertiveness, ability to take initiative and work within deadlines
• Ability to work effectively on both independent research assignments and as part of a team
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills, including proactive problem-solving
• Flexibility to work long hours, including weekends and public holidays, especially when working with colleagues and partners across different time zones
• Willingness to travel.

Terms of Employment: Successful applicant will be employed as the Senior Research Scientist, leading Biodiversity and Social Monitoring teams primarily at the KCRP in Kenya, and occasionally supporting other REDD+ projects across Africa

This is considered a full-time position according to the Wildlife Works’ scheme of service and after a three-month probation period

Unless on mission to another site/project, the position will be based at Wildlife Works’ African HQs at the Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Voi, and will report to the Director, ESG

Remuneration: A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered, commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience.