Job Opportunities at African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)

The purpose of this position is to support the implementation of a three year project “Mobilizing Development Finance for Adaptation”.   Climate Finance is increasingly becoming a key area of focus for most African governments. The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) has been at the Centre of implementing a number of climate finance research and capacity building projects.  The three-year (2019-2021) “Mobilizing Development Finance for Strategic and Scaled-up Investment in Climate Adaptation” research project is implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in partnership with ACTS in Kenya, Prakriti Research Centre in Nepal, and Libélula Instituto para el Cambio Global in Peru. The project is supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). A Project Advisory Committee – comprised of representatives from the African Development Bank; Asian Development Bank; Inter-American Development Bank; World Bank; Governments of Kenya, Nepal and Peru; IDRC and Institute for Climate Economics – provides strategic advice on the research directions and outputs.

The project explores common challenges to scaling up adaptation finance across different contexts, leading to the identification of new opportunities and insights. It examines processes in Multilateral Development Banks and select developing countries to identify barriers that limit the use of development financing to address national adaptation priorities and opportunities to overcome these constraints.

We are seeking highly qualified candidates for position of intern – climate finance to support the implementation of the project and other relevant initiatives. The position provides commensurate remuneration and a career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.

 Main Responsibilities

• Support the review of in-country data on the country-level MDB climate and investment portfolios
• Support the review and analysis of the processes through which developing countries engage with the multi-national Development Banks (MDBs)
• Support the development and drafting key recommendations on how developing countries could effectively engage with MDBs in supporting adaptation plans.
• Support potential role of MDBs in addressing priority adaptation actions emerging from country-driven strategies, and how developing countries engage with MDBs,
• Support the review and identification of innovative financial instruments supportive to adaptation actions in developing countries
• Support the development of financial models that might work that could be used to increase funding for actions identified in the strategies to mobilize resources for adaptation
• Support the identification of potentially viable innovative financial instruments that could be considered by MDBs to increase private sector investment in adaptation.
• Any other duties and assignments that maybe given from time to time by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a minimum of Master’s degree qualifications in Climate Policy, Climate Finance, Policy Analysis/ Public Policy, Development Studies, International Relations and Social
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in knowledge translation and policy engagement.
• Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in working in research and policy environment and ambitious career goal around sustainable development.

Skills required.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Team work and diversity in the team while upholding team spirit
• Ability to work with limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Writing skills and demonstrate ability to engage in technical writing

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This position supports the translation of research into use and establishment of a research into use platform. The role will include closely linking ongoing research within the Climate Resilient Economies (CRE) programme and the Africa Sustainability Hub to policy processes and development visions of African countries.  The CRE programme at ACTS and the Africa Sustainability Hub has delivered several cutting edge research, policy influence and capacity building. We are increasingly interested in addressing the gap between research evidence and policy practice and the need to focus on the processes through which knowledge is translated into use. The intern will contribute to this process through advocacy for application of research findings and dissemination activities in the Knowledge Systems Innovation (KSI) Project and other related projects within the program.

Main Responsibilities

• In consultation with relevant KSI team members, assists in the synthesis of the research findings and uptake of research amongst key National Science, Technology and Innovation Commissions nationally, relevant donor organizations and other key stakeholders.
• Draft in a very simplistic way user-friendly dissemination materials that synthesize KSI and other program’s relevant research for different audiences including academics, researchers, donor agencies, science granting councils and the media.
• Follow-up and contribute to evaluation of uptake of the research results.
• Any other duties and assignments that maybe given from time to time by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a minimum of Master’s degree qualifications in Policy Analysis/ Public Policy or Science Communications.
• Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in innovation & sustainable development and a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in knowledge translation and policy engagement.

Skills required.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Team work and diversity in the team while upholding team spirit
• Ability to work with limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Writing skills and demonstrate ability to write in simple and non-technical language

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The Nairobi  Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Disasters represent one of the greatest threats to humanity, currently and in the future. In the context of urbanization, cities are increasingly becoming hotspots for disasters with over 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas. Resilience of these cities is critical to the livelihoods and sustainability of world’s population. The Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub is part of a larger research project funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund known as the “Tomorrow’s Cities” programme, which is a five year interdisciplinary global research programme where the mission is “to reduce disaster risk for the poor in tomorrow’s cities”. The project works globally to bring multi-hazard disaster risk management to the centre of urban policy and practice and the focus for our research is on four rapidly developing cities: Nairobi, Kathmandu, Istanbul and Quito. In Nairobi, this exciting opportunity brings together leading researchers,  community representatives and government leaders to work towards an unprecedented resolution to influence planning and to deliver real impact through interdisciplinary research.

Floods, collapsing buildings, and fires are prevalent hazards in Nairobi. While most parts of the city experiences such disasters in different magnitude, Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) are major frontiers of these hazards, both natural and human risks owing to a number of compounding reasons. For instance, fires are common phenomenon in slums often emerging from various sources including electrical faults (resulting from poor/illegal electrical infrastructure), poor cooking spaces among others.  The main goal for the Nairobi Hub is to provide Nairobi with the capacity and policy framework that enables a shift from crisis/emergency response towards integrated urban development and planning for enhanced disaster risk preparedness and management, through policy relevant and transdisciplinary research. The need for such a transition is recognized at the Nairobi city county government level, reflected among others in the Nairobi Disaster Management Act 2019, which is currently under review.

The Nairobi hub is managed and run by organizations with excellent track records in research, policy and community work:

1. African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): The hub is led by ACTS as the coordinating partner – hosting the hub office. ACTS is an independent, not for profit, inter-governmental, and Pan-African development and policy research organization, working to harness applications of science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development in Africa. Founded in ACTS 1988, ACTS remains one of the leading think tanks in Africa with a specific mandate to conduct research and policy analysis; to provide technical advisory services; and to undertake capacity building and dissemination of knowledge on applications of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Within its mandate, ACTS works on various timely research projects hosted within a variety of timely and contextually relevant programmes: Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), and STI for development and Agriculture and food security. ACTS has established itself as a centre for excellence informing green growth and sustainable development in Africa and internationally. In 2016, ACTS was ranked among the top 3 think tanks in climate change, resilience research and policy influence globally - an improvement in relation to the think tanks ranking in the past. The ranking, an authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy, by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) under the “ICCG Climate Think Tank Ranking Initiative is based on organizational activities, publications and dissemination.. The 2016 ranking assessed 244 think tanks specialized in the research fields of climate change and climate policy.
2. University of Nairobi: The University of Nairobi will co-lead a number of research activities under risk modelling and community resilience planning. The Centre for Urban Research and Innovation (CURI), is a centre of excellence on urban research, and is part of a consortia formed to help plan Mukuru. CURI has continued to participate in many community-based initiatives such as informal settlements upgrading, Community Fire Response Mechanisms, Urban Learning Studios, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Land and Natural resources tenure security, Urban Development Control Policy, and Unlocking Poverty and upscaling the Respect for Rights in Informal Settlements. Other departments – Geography & Geology – will bring in key experts in physical hazards research. Further the University, is help strengthen our impact strategy through anchoring capacity building strategies, multi-hazard courses and executive trainings among others.
3. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): KDI is a non-profit design and community development organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya since 2013. KDI partners with underserved communities to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic and social quality of life.
4. Nairobi’s City-County Government: The City-County government is the primary authority charged with providing public services and mandated to develop the City Disaster Management Plan. The Nairobi city-county government will be the lead impact partner for the hub, and will co-host the community of practice meetings with partners.
5. Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Kenya: A key support NGO for Nairobi’s federation of urban poor groups (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), a partner in the Mukuru Spatial Planning Area (SPA) consortium, and an affiliate of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. SDI Kenya, is the non-profit technical and professional secretariat for the federation of Kenyan slum residents known as Muungano Wa Wanavijiji. SDI Kenya is part of the Kenyan alliance (with Akiba Mashinani Trust Muungano waWanavijiji), that is charged with coordination, community organization and communication. As part of SDI, the Akiba Mashinani Trust is also involved to support linkages with the Spatial Planning Area.
6. UK-based partners: to support research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), as well as management and leadership. These include experts from the Kings College London, University of Sussex- Institute of Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, and the UK Met Office. Various physical and social scientists from these Universities have been integrated to support various research work packages taking place in the City. Other indirect partners include the Mukuru Community and a Community of Practice to be structured - who will be instrumental in the pathway to impact.
7. Global partners: the Risk Nexus Initiative (RNI), which has networks in Costa Rica, Spain, South America and India.

Specific Objectives of the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Nairobi Hub will adopt a transformative approach that seeks to utilize interdisciplinary research evidence as a tool for convening various stakeholders to achieve the specific objectives listed below;

1. To apply interdisciplinary research evidence to convene and strengthen the emerging community of practice around Disaster Risk Reduction, enabling it to work to reduce multiple risks in a more coordinated and collective fashion, and creating awareness on multi-hazard thinking collective action;
2. Support the incorporation of co-produced disaster risk reduction measures in new pro-poor action planning initiatives in low-income (informal) settlements; risks from the city’s multiple and interacting hazards, particularly for more vulnerable residents;
3. To support the design of a more risk-sensitive policy framework built on the multi-hazard thinking particularly in relation to more proactive management of risk accumulation currently associated with the city’s urban growth and expansion;
4. Provide compelling examples of multiple interacting risks and how they can be co-managed by state and non-state actors;

We are seeking a highly qualified candidate for an internship position in Community engagement and gender integration to Disaster Risk Management. The position provides commensurate remuneration and a career growth opportunity in the area of research and development. 

This position is aimed at supporting community engagement processes and associated research within the Mukuru study area. Working closely with different partners within the Nairobi Risk Hub, the intern will be tasked to consolidate fieldwork processes and relay fieldwork experiences, needs and insights to the coordination office and various fora such as research meetings, policy roundtables among others. The intern will also be expected to convey insights and experiences from the field to the various policy fora including policy roundtables, research meetings and community of practice meetings.

Job title: Internship in Community engagement and gender integration to Disaster Risk Management for the Tomorrow’s Cities’ Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Line manager: Dr Joanes Atela (Head of Climate Resilient Economies Programme and City Lead - Nairobi Risk Hub) at the African Centre for Technology Studies and UK City Co-leads; Dr Lars Otto Naess (Institute of Development Studies) and Dr Dave Rush (University of Edinburgh).

Main Responsibilities

• Support the linkage between ongoing field activities and the city coordination office processes, identifying progress and reporting needs and support required in real time.
• Support linkages and coordination of fieldwork activities across various workstreams ensuring complementary actions and building synergies with ongoing initiatives within Mukuru.
• Convey field insights to the various policy forums including policy roundtables, research meetings and community of practice meetings
• Support fieldwork activities for various research teams including creating liaison with community groups in the field in preparations for specific research activities including research meetings among others
• Work with researchers to prepare fieldwork plans and create relevant linkages with different groups within the target community (Mukuru) to openly and easily engage with researchers
• Work with researchers to understand the filed process and identify their respective needs
• Support stakeholder engagements and community groups at the local level through creating more awareness about the project in Mukuru and other target settlements
• Perform any other duties and assignments that maybe given from time to time by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a minimum of Master’s degree qualifications in Disaster Management, Community Development, Public Policy, Development Studies, International Relations or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in knowledge translation and policy engagement.
• Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in working in research and policy environment and ambitious career goal around research and development.

Skills and competences

• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills with proven ability to support narratives to describe the results.
• A team player and ability to build strong working relationships, and experience of working across different disciplines.
• Intercultural competence and ability to engage different sets of stakeholders
• Ability to work under limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Good writing skills and demonstrated ability to engage in technical writing
• Ability to write effectively and report to different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of different demands.

Terms of Employment

• Six (6) months renewable based on performance with the possibility of advancing to the next position.
• The position provides a competitive remuneration
• Provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of Disaster Management and with real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
• The position provides an equal opportunity for all, and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

go to method of application »

The Nairobi  Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Disasters represent one of the greatest threats to humanity, currently and in the future. In the context of urbanization, cities are increasingly becoming hotspots for disasters with over 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas. Resilience of these cities is critical to the livelihoods and sustainability of world’s population. The Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub is part of a larger research project funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund known as the “Tomorrow’s Cities” programme, which is a five year interdisciplinary global research programme where the mission is “to reduce disaster risk for the poor in tomorrow’s cities”. The project works globally to bring multi-hazard disaster risk management to the centre of urban policy and practice and the focus for our research is on four rapidly developing cities: Nairobi, Kathmandu, Istanbul and Quito. In Nairobi, this exciting opportunity brings together leading researchers,  community representatives and government leaders to work towards an unprecedented resolution to influence planning and to deliver real impact through interdisciplinary research.

Floods, collapsing buildings, and fires are prevalent hazards in Nairobi. While most parts of the city experiences such disasters in different magnitude, Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) are major frontiers of these hazards, both natural and human risks owing to a number of compounding reasons. For instance, fires are common phenomenon in slums often emerging from various sources including electrical faults (resulting from poor/illegal electrical infrastructure), poor cooking spaces among others.  The main goal for the Nairobi Hub is to provide Nairobi with the capacity and policy framework that enables a shift from crisis/emergency response towards integrated urban development and planning for enhanced disaster risk preparedness and management, through policy relevant and transdisciplinary research. The need for such a transition is recognized at the Nairobi city county government level, reflected among others in the Nairobi Disaster Management Act 2019, which is currently under review.

The Nairobi hub is managed and run by organizations with excellent track records in research, policy and community work:

1. African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): The hub is led by ACTS as the coordinating partner – hosting the hub office. ACTS is an independent, not for profit, inter-governmental, and Pan-African development and policy research organization, working to harness applications of science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development in Africa. Founded in ACTS 1988, ACTS remains one of the leading think tanks in Africa with a specific mandate to conduct research and policy analysis; to provide technical advisory services; and to undertake capacity building and dissemination of knowledge on applications of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Within its mandate, ACTS works on various timely research projects hosted within a variety of timely and contextually relevant programmes: Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), and STI for development and Agriculture and food security. ACTS has established itself as a centre for excellence informing green growth and sustainable development in Africa and internationally. In 2016, ACTS was ranked among the top 3 think tanks in climate change, resilience research and policy influence globally - an improvement in relation to the think tanks ranking in the past. The ranking, an authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy, by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) under the “ICCG Climate Think Tank Ranking Initiative is based on organizational activities, publications and dissemination.. The 2016 ranking assessed 244 think tanks specialized in the research fields of climate change and climate policy.
2. University of Nairobi: The University of Nairobi will co-lead a number of research activities under risk modelling and community resilience planning. The Centre for Urban Research and Innovation (CURI), is a centre of excellence on urban research, and is part of a consortia formed to help plan Mukuru. CURI has continued to participate in many community-based initiatives such as informal settlements upgrading, Community Fire Response Mechanisms, Urban Learning Studios, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Land and Natural resources tenure security, Urban Development Control Policy, and Unlocking Poverty and upscaling the Respect for Rights in Informal Settlements. Other departments – Geography & Geology – will bring in key experts in physical hazards research. Further the University, is help strengthen our impact strategy through anchoring capacity building strategies, multi-hazard courses and executive trainings among others.
3. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): KDI is a non-profit design and community development organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya since 2013. KDI partners with underserved communities to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic and social quality of life.
4. Nairobi’s City-County Government: The City-County government is the primary authority charged with providing public services and mandated to develop the City Disaster Management Plan. The Nairobi city-county government will be the lead impact partner for the hub, and will co-host the community of practice meetings with partners.
5. Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Kenya: A key support NGO for Nairobi’s federation of urban poor groups (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), a partner in the Mukuru Spatial Planning Area (SPA) consortium, and an affiliate of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. SDI Kenya, is the non-profit technical and professional secretariat for the federation of Kenyan slum residents known as Muungano Wa Wanavijiji. SDI Kenya is part of the Kenyan alliance (with Akiba Mashinani Trust Muungano waWanavijiji), that is charged with coordination, community organization and communication. As part of SDI, the Akiba Mashinani Trust is also involved to support linkages with the Spatial Planning Area.
6. UK-based partners: to support research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), as well as management and leadership. These include experts from the Kings College London, University of Sussex- Institute of Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, and the UK Met Office. Various physical and social scientists from these Universities have been integrated to support various research work packages taking place in the City. Other indirect partners include the Mukuru Community and a Community of Practice to be structured - who will be instrumental in the pathway to impact.
7. Global partners: the Risk Nexus Initiative (RNI), which has networks in Costa Rica, Spain, South America and India.

Specific Objectives of the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Nairobi Hub will adopt a transformative approach that seeks to utilize interdisciplinary research evidence as a tool for convening various stakeholders to achieve the specific objectives listed below;

1. To apply interdisciplinary research evidence to convene and strengthen the emerging community of practice around Disaster Risk Reduction, enabling it to work to reduce multiple risks in a more coordinated and collective fashion, and creating awareness on multi-hazard thinking collective action;
2. Support the incorporation of co-produced disaster risk reduction measures in new pro-poor action planning initiatives in low-income (informal) settlements; risks from the city’s multiple and interacting hazards, particularly for more vulnerable residents;
3. To support the design of a more risk-sensitive policy framework built on the multi-hazard thinking particularly in relation to more proactive management of risk accumulation currently associated with the city’s urban growth and expansion;
4. Provide compelling examples of multiple interacting risks and how they can be co-managed by state and non-state actors;

We are seeking a qualified candidate for the position of a Research Assistant in Database Management and Analysis, to support the implementation of the Nairobi Risk Hub. The position provides commensurate remuneration and a career growth opportunity in the area of research and development. 

Purpose of the position

This position is aimed at supporting the Nairobi Disaster Risk Hub with managing its research database and contributing to analysis of the same both for technical and policy purposes. The Nairobi Hub is expected to generate enormous primary and secondary data at different levels and from different sources. As such, organizing, consolidating and communicating the data in different forms is critical for the expected outputs and outcomes of the Hub. 

Working alongside the Hub partners drawn from local and international domains, this role will set-in place a robust database and management framework supportive to the research outputs, strategy and impact. Specific responsibility will be to manage data from different research teams and workstreams including both qualitative and quantitative data. This role will particularly form a critical interphase between research data and associated products and the candidate is expected to work within a team, consult on the various datasets and also draw new and gather data from various secondary sources. The candidate will be expected to produce analytical products including maps, infographics, and graphs drawn from the database ensuring that the gathered data is organized into various versions for ease of utility for various purposes including scientific publications, decision support tools among others.

Programme: Nairobi-Urban Disaster Risk Hub under the Climate Resilient Economies Programme and the Africa Sustainability Hub at the African Centre for Technology Studies

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a minimum of Master’s degree qualifications in Data Management Systems, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Geographical Information Systems and any other relevant field.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in data management and analysis

• Experience of using different design and data visualization with the ability to translate complex information into clear and attractive representation.
• Applied experience in data management and very strong computer literacy skills with advanced skills in relevant open source technologies e.g. collection tools, database, open source web systems etc.

• Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in working in research and policy environment and ambitious career goal around research and development.

Skills and competences

• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills, with proven ability to support narratives to describe
• A team player with ability to build strong working relationships, and experience of working across different disciplines.
• Intercultural competence and ability to engage different sets of stakeholders
• Ability to work under limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Good writing skills and demonstrated ability to engage in technical writing
• Ability to write effectively and report to different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of different demands.

Main Responsibilities

• Support setting up the Nairobi Hub’s database and analysis systems including frameworks for organizing, analyzing and presenting data in different forms
• In consultation with research teams, put in place mechanisms for ensuring data quality control including data cleaning, verifications and alignment.
• Document the various data collection methods, tools and approaches and link these to respective data sets.
• Work closely with research teams to gather and maintain a range of analytical tools including graphical analysis, GIS, statistics, Access etc.
• Provide technical support and guidance to colleagues on how to interact with the data base based on various needs including research, policy and capacity building
• Produce various data analysis products including infographics, maps, statistical tables among others, and in consultation with the research and impact teams
• Ensure data security in coordination with the data management and M&E specialists at the University of Edinburgh
• Work with the research teams and the Hub management team to develop guidelines for data use access and security in compliance with existing data laws.
• Participate in research meetings, and provide briefs to the research teams and the coordination committee on the Hub’s data status and opportunities and support required.
• Identify data gaps and needs and report these to the coordination committee and the research teams
• Provide linkage between the research database management and the Management Information System (MIS) where possible.
• Perform any other tasks that will be prescribed by the Hub Directors

Terms of Employment

• Two (2) year Contract renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
• The position provides a competitive pensionable remuneration with an inclusive medical cover
• Provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of Disaster Management and with real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
• The position provides an equal opportunity for all, and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

go to method of application »

The Nairobi  Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Disasters represent one of the greatest threats to humanity, currently and in the future. In the context of urbanization, cities are increasingly becoming hotspots for disasters with over 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas. Resilience of these cities is critical to the livelihoods and sustainability of world’s population. The Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub is part of a larger research project funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund known as the “Tomorrow’s Cities” programme, which is a five year interdisciplinary global research programme where the mission is “to reduce disaster risk for the poor in tomorrow’s cities”. The project works globally to bring multi-hazard disaster risk management to the centre of urban policy and practice and the focus for our research is on four rapidly developing cities: Nairobi, Kathmandu, Istanbul and Quito. In Nairobi, this exciting opportunity brings together leading researchers,  community representatives and government leaders to work towards an unprecedented resolution to influence planning and to deliver real impact through interdisciplinary research.

Floods, collapsing buildings, and fires are prevalent hazards in Nairobi. While most parts of the city experiences such disasters in different magnitude, Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) are major frontiers of these hazards, both natural and human risks owing to a number of compounding reasons. For instance, fires are common phenomenon in slums often emerging from various sources including electrical faults (resulting from poor/illegal electrical infrastructure), poor cooking spaces among others.  The main goal for the Nairobi Hub is to provide Nairobi with the capacity and policy framework that enables a shift from crisis/emergency response towards integrated urban development and planning for enhanced disaster risk preparedness and management, through policy relevant and transdisciplinary research. The need for such a transition is recognized at the Nairobi city county government level, reflected among others in the Nairobi Disaster Management Act 2019, which is currently under review.

The Nairobi hub is managed and run by organizations with excellent track records in research, policy and community work:

1. African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): The hub is led by ACTS as the coordinating partner – hosting the hub office. ACTS is an independent, not for profit, inter-governmental, and Pan-African development and policy research organization, working to harness applications of science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development in Africa. Founded in ACTS 1988, ACTS remains one of the leading think tanks in Africa with a specific mandate to conduct research and policy analysis; to provide technical advisory services; and to undertake capacity building and dissemination of knowledge on applications of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Within its mandate, ACTS works on various timely research projects hosted within a variety of timely and contextually relevant programmes: Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), and STI for development and Agriculture and food security. ACTS has established itself as a centre for excellence informing green growth and sustainable development in Africa and internationally. In 2016, ACTS was ranked among the top 3 think tanks in climate change, resilience research and policy influence globally - an improvement in relation to the think tanks ranking in the past. The ranking, an authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy, by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) under the “ICCG Climate Think Tank Ranking Initiative is based on organizational activities, publications and dissemination.. The 2016 ranking assessed 244 think tanks specialized in the research fields of climate change and climate policy.
2. University of Nairobi: The University of Nairobi will co-lead a number of research activities under risk modelling and community resilience planning. The Centre for Urban Research and Innovation (CURI), is a centre of excellence on urban research, and is part of a consortia formed to help plan Mukuru. CURI has continued to participate in many community-based initiatives such as informal settlements upgrading, Community Fire Response Mechanisms, Urban Learning Studios, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Land and Natural resources tenure security, Urban Development Control Policy, and Unlocking Poverty and upscaling the Respect for Rights in Informal Settlements. Other departments – Geography & Geology – will bring in key experts in physical hazards research. Further the University, is help strengthen our impact strategy through anchoring capacity building strategies, multi-hazard courses and executive trainings among others.
3. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): KDI is a non-profit design and community development organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya since 2013. KDI partners with underserved communities to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic and social quality of life.
4. Nairobi’s City-County Government: The City-County government is the primary authority charged with providing public services and mandated to develop the City Disaster Management Plan. The Nairobi city-county government will be the lead impact partner for the hub, and will co-host the community of practice meetings with partners.
5. Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Kenya: A key support NGO for Nairobi’s federation of urban poor groups (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), a partner in the Mukuru Spatial Planning Area (SPA) consortium, and an affiliate of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. SDI Kenya, is the non-profit technical and professional secretariat for the federation of Kenyan slum residents known as Muungano Wa Wanavijiji. SDI Kenya is part of the Kenyan alliance (with Akiba Mashinani Trust Muungano waWanavijiji), that is charged with coordination, community organization and communication. As part of SDI, the Akiba Mashinani Trust is also involved to support linkages with the Spatial Planning Area.
6. UK-based partners: to support research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), as well as management and leadership. These include experts from the Kings College London, University of Sussex- Institute of Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, and the UK Met Office. Various physical and social scientists from these Universities have been integrated to support various research work packages taking place in the City. Other indirect partners include the Mukuru Community and a Community of Practice to be structured - who will be instrumental in the pathway to impact.
7. Global partners: the Risk Nexus Initiative (RNI), which has networks in Costa Rica, Spain, South America and India.

Specific Objectives of the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Nairobi Hub will adopt a transformative approach that seeks to utilize interdisciplinary research evidence as a tool for convening various stakeholders to achieve the specific objectives listed below;

1. To apply interdisciplinary research evidence to convene and strengthen the emerging community of practice around Disaster Risk Reduction, enabling it to work to reduce multiple risks in a more coordinated and collective fashion, and creating awareness on multi-hazard thinking collective action;
2. Support the incorporation of co-produced disaster risk reduction measures in new pro-poor action planning initiatives in low-income (informal) settlements; risks from the city’s multiple and interacting hazards, particularly for more vulnerable residents;
3. To support the design of a more risk-sensitive policy framework built on the multi-hazard thinking particularly in relation to more proactive management of risk accumulation currently associated with the city’s urban growth and expansion;
4. Provide compelling examples of multiple interacting risks and how they can be co-managed by state and non-state actors;

We are seeking a qualified candidate for the position of a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow: Community Resilience Planning to engage and support research in the area of policy analysis and decision making support for the Nairobi Risk Hub. The position provides commensurate remuneration and a career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.

NOTE: This position will be recruited through the University of Nairobi and therefore follows the University’s recruitment process as well as terms and conditions.

Programme: Nairobi-Urban Disaster Risk Hub under the Climate Resilient Economies Programme and the Africa Sustainability Hub at the African Centre for Technology Studies

Line manager: Dr Musyimi Mbathi (Centre for Urban Innovation – University of Nairobi); Joseph Mulligan and Ms Vera Bukachi (Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI)).

Purpose of the position

This position is aimed at supporting the development of the Community led resilience planning component under the guidance of WP 2 leads from KDI and the University of Nairobi. Part of the assignment will be to build capacity for regular community led risk assessments. This work will build on the transitions analysis under other related research within the Hub. The work is expected to involve the Mukuru community in assessing their vulnerability and deploy tools for resilience action planning. More specifically, empirical community perspectives on priority hazards and their risks, inter-relations with anthropogenic processes, and household/community assets will be assessed. Community planning forums (e.g. community designed schools, FGDs, FORIN analysis, case studies) combined with citizen science analysis will be deployed to describe and identify vulnerability hotspots at micro (i.e. household level) and macro (i.e. Community level) and understanding the socio-political and physical drivers of such vulnerabilities.

Additionally, the candidate will be expected to;

• Be responsible for developing a calendar of activities in consultation with the project leads and community organisations,
• Manage and coordinate research and operational activities internally and externally including organizing project meetings in Nairobi,
• Be responsible for the management of information and developing promotional materials for dissemination at conferences and meetings,
• To represent the projects at internal, local and international meetings, to disseminate the Hub findings and research outcomes and outputs,
• Represent the Hub in forums and meetings to discuss community resilience and associated research matters,
• Contributing to collaborative decisions that affect the Hub and associated research,
• Contribute to the publication of at least 3 scientific papers on community based multi-hazard resilience planning in addition to relevant policy briefs,

The successful applicants are required to incorporate innovative components and/or techniques to address complex community resilience challenges relevant to the research theme. The innovative components and/or techniques should be guided by sound research methodology or a combination of research methodologies. The candidate is expected to be knowledgeable in multi and interdisciplinary research approaches.

Qualifications

Requirements for this position are an excellent PhD in the fields of Urban Planning, Sociology, Geography or related social science background. A very good knowledge of English in addition to experience with the organisation of scientific events is desired.

Academics with an excellent research profile in the mentioned fields are invited to submit their applications including the usual documents and short abstracts of the dissertation thesis and a further research project (three pages each) by e-mail (in one document) to Dr. Musyimi Mbathi (Centre for Urban Innovations, University o Nairobi) and Ms Vera Bukachi (Kounkey Design Initiative). 

Skills and competences

• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills, with proven ability to support narratives to describe results.
• A team player with ability to build strong working relationships, and experience of working across different disciplines.
• Ability to work under limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Good writing skills and demonstrated ability to engage in technical writing
• Ability to write effectively and report to different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of different demands.

Terms of Employment:

• Two (2) year Contract renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
• The position provides a competitive pensionable remuneration with an inclusive medical cover
• Provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of Disaster Management and with real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
• The position provides an equal opportunity for all, and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

go to method of application »

The Nairobi  Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Disasters represent one of the greatest threats to humanity, currently and in the future. In the context of urbanization, cities are increasingly becoming hotspots for disasters with over 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas. Resilience of these cities is critical to the livelihoods and sustainability of world’s population. The Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub is part of a larger research project funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund known as the “Tomorrow’s Cities” programme, which is a five year interdisciplinary global research programme where the mission is “to reduce disaster risk for the poor in tomorrow’s cities”. The project works globally to bring multi-hazard disaster risk management to the centre of urban policy and practice and the focus for our research is on four rapidly developing cities: Nairobi, Kathmandu, Istanbul and Quito. In Nairobi, this exciting opportunity brings together leading researchers,  community representatives and government leaders to work towards an unprecedented resolution to influence planning and to deliver real impact through interdisciplinary research.

Floods, collapsing buildings, and fires are prevalent hazards in Nairobi. While most parts of the city experiences such disasters in different magnitude, Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) are major frontiers of these hazards, both natural and human risks owing to a number of compounding reasons. For instance, fires are common phenomenon in slums often emerging from various sources including electrical faults (resulting from poor/illegal electrical infrastructure), poor cooking spaces among others.  The main goal for the Nairobi Hub is to provide Nairobi with the capacity and policy framework that enables a shift from crisis/emergency response towards integrated urban development and planning for enhanced disaster risk preparedness and management, through policy relevant and transdisciplinary research. The need for such a transition is recognized at the Nairobi city county government level, reflected among others in the Nairobi Disaster Management Act 2019, which is currently under review.

The Nairobi hub is managed and run by organizations with excellent track records in research, policy and community work:

1. African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): The hub is led by ACTS as the coordinating partner – hosting the hub office. ACTS is an independent, not for profit, inter-governmental, and Pan-African development and policy research organization, working to harness applications of science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development in Africa. Founded in ACTS 1988, ACTS remains one of the leading think tanks in Africa with a specific mandate to conduct research and policy analysis; to provide technical advisory services; and to undertake capacity building and dissemination of knowledge on applications of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Within its mandate, ACTS works on various timely research projects hosted within a variety of timely and contextually relevant programmes: Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), and STI for development and Agriculture and food security. ACTS has established itself as a centre for excellence informing green growth and sustainable development in Africa and internationally. In 2016, ACTS was ranked among the top 3 think tanks in climate change, resilience research and policy influence globally - an improvement in relation to the think tanks ranking in the past. The ranking, an authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy, by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) under the “ICCG Climate Think Tank Ranking Initiative is based on organizational activities, publications and dissemination.. The 2016 ranking assessed 244 think tanks specialized in the research fields of climate change and climate policy.
2. University of Nairobi: The University of Nairobi will co-lead a number of research activities under risk modelling and community resilience planning. The Centre for Urban Research and Innovation (CURI), is a centre of excellence on urban research, and is part of a consortia formed to help plan Mukuru. CURI has continued to participate in many community-based initiatives such as informal settlements upgrading, Community Fire Response Mechanisms, Urban Learning Studios, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Land and Natural resources tenure security, Urban Development Control Policy, and Unlocking Poverty and upscaling the Respect for Rights in Informal Settlements. Other departments – Geography & Geology – will bring in key experts in physical hazards research. Further the University, is help strengthen our impact strategy through anchoring capacity building strategies, multi-hazard courses and executive trainings among others.
3. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): KDI is a non-profit design and community development organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya since 2013. KDI partners with underserved communities to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic and social quality of life.
4. Nairobi’s City-County Government: The City-County government is the primary authority charged with providing public services and mandated to develop the City Disaster Management Plan. The Nairobi city-county government will be the lead impact partner for the hub, and will co-host the community of practice meetings with partners.
5. Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Kenya: A key support NGO for Nairobi’s federation of urban poor groups (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), a partner in the Mukuru Spatial Planning Area (SPA) consortium, and an affiliate of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. SDI Kenya, is the non-profit technical and professional secretariat for the federation of Kenyan slum residents known as Muungano Wa Wanavijiji. SDI Kenya is part of the Kenyan alliance (with Akiba Mashinani Trust Muungano waWanavijiji), that is charged with coordination, community organization and communication. As part of SDI, the Akiba Mashinani Trust is also involved to support linkages with the Spatial Planning Area.
6. UK-based partners: to support research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), as well as management and leadership. These include experts from the Kings College London, University of Sussex- Institute of Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, and the UK Met Office. Various physical and social scientists from these Universities have been integrated to support various research work packages taking place in the City. Other indirect partners include the Mukuru Community and a Community of Practice to be structured - who will be instrumental in the pathway to impact.
7. Global partners: the Risk Nexus Initiative (RNI), which has networks in Costa Rica, Spain, South America and India.

Specific Objectives of the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Nairobi Hub will adopt a transformative approach that seeks to utilize interdisciplinary research evidence as a tool for convening various stakeholders to achieve the specific objectives listed below;

1. To apply interdisciplinary research evidence to convene and strengthen the emerging community of practice around Disaster Risk Reduction, enabling it to work to reduce multiple risks in a more coordinated and collective fashion, and creating awareness on multi-hazard thinking collective action;
2. Support the incorporation of co-produced disaster risk reduction measures in new pro-poor action planning initiatives in low-income (informal) settlements; risks from the city’s multiple and interacting hazards, particularly for more vulnerable residents;
3. To support the design of a more risk-sensitive policy framework built on the multi-hazard thinking particularly in relation to more proactive management of risk accumulation currently associated with the city’s urban growth and expansion;
4. Provide compelling examples of multiple interacting risks and how they can be co-managed by state and non-state actors;

We are seeking a qualified candidate for the position of a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow: Urban Fire Risk Modelling to engage and support research in the area of urban disaster risk management.

Purpose of the position

This position is aimed at supporting the risk analysis and mapping, as well as DRR policy development for the Nairobi City, based on the work articulated under the Nairobi Hub work programme and the Theory of Change.  The candidate will focus on fire risks within informal settlements of Nairobi, specifically the Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA). Using state of the art research techniques, the candidate will develop robust fire risk and hazard mapping techniques on Mukuru and assess the potential interventions being proposed as part of the SPA. Additionally, these techniques and maps need to be compatible with other hazard mapping techniques such as flood and earthquake hazard/risk mapping. 

The candidate is also expected to have an appreciation of the fact that an integrated and informed risk management approach requires a clear understanding and presentation of the physical risks which forms part of the holistic narrative of risk that also involves the socio-cultural, political and economic contexts and drivers of risks.

Ideally, the candidate is expected to play a fundamental role in facilitating appropriate decision making for the Mukuru SPA to reduce their multi-hazard risk-scape. Additionally, the individual will be expected to support the establishment of a community of practice around disaster risk reduction within Nairobi, and thus will require to be able to make the research outputs accessible through policy briefs and alike. 

Programme: Nairobi Risk Hub under the Climate Resilient Economies Programme and the Africa Sustainability Hub at the African Centre for Technology Studies

Line manager: Dr Dave Rush (University of Edinburgh) and Professor George Khroda (University of Nairobi).

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a PhD in relevant fields such as Disaster Management, Urban Geography, Fire Science, Sustainability Studies or other relevant field.
• Experience in applied research and the identification of uncertainties within that
• A good record of academic publications.
• Evidence of urban mapping, statistical analysis, and handling of large datasets is desirable.
• A good record of academic publications - excellent academic writing skills, data base expertise, and familiarity with policy briefs.
• Experience or ability to develop participatory risk maps.
• Ability to transfer localized models to other areas with relative ease.

Skills and competences

• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills, with proven ability to support narratives to describe results.
• A team player with ability to build strong working relationships, and experience working across different disciplines and with different stakeholders.
• Ability to work under limited supervision, produce regular internal progress reports and meet deadlines
• Strong technical writing skills and the ability to engage with literatures from the Humanities and Social Sciences
• Ability to write effectively and report to different audiences.
• Ability to manage own time effectively to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of different demands.

Main Responsibilities

Research

• Develop a quantifiable fire risk map of Mukuru through Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial metrics, and fire science. This will require an approximately 1-month research trip to the University of Edinburgh within the first few months of the research.
• Map historic fire events in Mukuru and other Nairobi slums as appropriate GIS/Google Earth/Satellite Imagery and other appropriate datasets as necessary, in support of the point above.
• Collect secondary fire data and impact for modelling and mapping across the city from organizations including Kenyan Red Cross, SDI/CURI/KDI, and Newspaper articles, and any other sources.
• Carry out field visits for data collection, verification of facts and ground truthing.
• Link fire risk maps with socio-economic and demographic profiles (WP 1) and vulnerability profiles (WP 2) to assess risk and map risk profiles.
• To provide better quality descriptions of the typologies and construction materials of the homes within the Mukuru and other Nairobi slums.
• Carry out calibration, validation and sensitivity analyses of the model(s) created and report on the relative merits of these analyses.
• Analyze fire statistics provided from Nairobi City County contacts and other sources to provide initial analysis of frequentist fire data, and working with other Hub researchers, support the analysis of gender/intersectionality risk issues at the settlement (Mukuru) and city level.
• Present data and meta-data for internal and external dissemination, working closely with other physical hazards modelers within the Hub to ensure data compatibility, for both inventory purposes, and for multi-hazard risk and resilience identification/assessment purposes.
• Perform a high-level desktop assessment of fire regulations and design guidance used in Nairobi in cooperation with other stakeholders across the city Hub, and an assessment of the dichotomy between policy and practice.

Policy and outreach

• Work with other researchers within the Hub specifically looking at community engagement and planning to facilitate their discussions through developing fire risk maps in easily understandable forms, potentially participating in pertinent discussions.
• Support the production of policy briefs for, and with local, national and international stakeholders (i.e. NCC, UN-Habitat) on the mapping of fire risks in informal urban settlements.
• Support the establishment of DRR Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP will include a wide array of stakeholders drawn from local, county, national and international levels to support a more integrated review and inputs into the research outputs and outcomes.
• Support the development and delivery of a multi-hazard DRR Management Plan for the City
• Support and contribute to the capacity building plans designed towards the desired culture change through contributing to capacity needs assessments, skill development through targeted programmes such as capacity building programmes, customized trainings, Exchange visits (annually), and Executive courses (Yr 2) to deliver an open process for career development

Terms of Employment

• One (1) year Contract renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
• The position provides a competitive pensionable remuneration and an inclusive medical cover
• Provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of Disaster Management and with real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
• The position provides an equal opportunities for all and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

go to method of application »

The Nairobi  Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Disasters represent one of the greatest threats to humanity, currently and in the future. In the context of urbanization, cities are increasingly becoming hotspots for disasters with over 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas. Resilience of these cities is critical to the livelihoods and sustainability of world’s population. The Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub is part of a larger research project funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund known as the “Tomorrow’s Cities” programme, which is a five year interdisciplinary global research programme where the mission is “to reduce disaster risk for the poor in tomorrow’s cities”. The project works globally to bring multi-hazard disaster risk management to the centre of urban policy and practice and the focus for our research is on four rapidly developing cities: Nairobi, Kathmandu, Istanbul and Quito. In Nairobi, this exciting opportunity brings together leading researchers,  community representatives and government leaders to work towards an unprecedented resolution to influence planning and to deliver real impact through interdisciplinary research.

Floods, collapsing buildings, and fires are prevalent hazards in Nairobi. While most parts of the city experiences such disasters in different magnitude, Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) are major frontiers of these hazards, both natural and human risks owing to a number of compounding reasons. For instance, fires are common phenomenon in slums often emerging from various sources including electrical faults (resulting from poor/illegal electrical infrastructure), poor cooking spaces among others.  The main goal for the Nairobi Hub is to provide Nairobi with the capacity and policy framework that enables a shift from crisis/emergency response towards integrated urban development and planning for enhanced disaster risk preparedness and management, through policy relevant and transdisciplinary research. The need for such a transition is recognized at the Nairobi city county government level, reflected among others in the Nairobi Disaster Management Act 2019, which is currently under review.

The Nairobi hub is managed and run by organizations with excellent track records in research, policy and community work:

1. African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): The hub is led by ACTS as the coordinating partner – hosting the hub office. ACTS is an independent, not for profit, inter-governmental, and Pan-African development and policy research organization, working to harness applications of science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development in Africa. Founded in ACTS 1988, ACTS remains one of the leading think tanks in Africa with a specific mandate to conduct research and policy analysis; to provide technical advisory services; and to undertake capacity building and dissemination of knowledge on applications of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Within its mandate, ACTS works on various timely research projects hosted within a variety of timely and contextually relevant programmes: Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), and STI for development and Agriculture and food security. ACTS has established itself as a centre for excellence informing green growth and sustainable development in Africa and internationally. In 2016, ACTS was ranked among the top 3 think tanks in climate change, resilience research and policy influence globally - an improvement in relation to the think tanks ranking in the past. The ranking, an authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy, by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) under the “ICCG Climate Think Tank Ranking Initiative is based on organizational activities, publications and dissemination.. The 2016 ranking assessed 244 think tanks specialized in the research fields of climate change and climate policy.
2. University of Nairobi: The University of Nairobi will co-lead a number of research activities under risk modelling and community resilience planning. The Centre for Urban Research and Innovation (CURI), is a centre of excellence on urban research, and is part of a consortia formed to help plan Mukuru. CURI has continued to participate in many community-based initiatives such as informal settlements upgrading, Community Fire Response Mechanisms, Urban Learning Studios, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Land and Natural resources tenure security, Urban Development Control Policy, and Unlocking Poverty and upscaling the Respect for Rights in Informal Settlements. Other departments – Geography & Geology – will bring in key experts in physical hazards research. Further the University, is help strengthen our impact strategy through anchoring capacity building strategies, multi-hazard courses and executive trainings among others.
3. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): KDI is a non-profit design and community development organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya since 2013. KDI partners with underserved communities to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic and social quality of life.
4. Nairobi’s City-County Government: The City-County government is the primary authority charged with providing public services and mandated to develop the City Disaster Management Plan. The Nairobi city-county government will be the lead impact partner for the hub, and will co-host the community of practice meetings with partners.
5. Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Kenya: A key support NGO for Nairobi’s federation of urban poor groups (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), a partner in the Mukuru Spatial Planning Area (SPA) consortium, and an affiliate of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. SDI Kenya, is the non-profit technical and professional secretariat for the federation of Kenyan slum residents known as Muungano Wa Wanavijiji. SDI Kenya is part of the Kenyan alliance (with Akiba Mashinani Trust Muungano waWanavijiji), that is charged with coordination, community organization and communication. As part of SDI, the Akiba Mashinani Trust is also involved to support linkages with the Spatial Planning Area.
6. UK-based partners: to support research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), as well as management and leadership. These include experts from the Kings College London, University of Sussex- Institute of Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, and the UK Met Office. Various physical and social scientists from these Universities have been integrated to support various research work packages taking place in the City. Other indirect partners include the Mukuru Community and a Community of Practice to be structured - who will be instrumental in the pathway to impact.
7. Global partners: the Risk Nexus Initiative (RNI), which has networks in Costa Rica, Spain, South America and India.

Specific Objectives of the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Nairobi Hub will adopt a transformative approach that seeks to utilize interdisciplinary research evidence as a tool for convening various stakeholders to achieve the specific objectives listed below;

1. To apply interdisciplinary research evidence to convene and strengthen the emerging community of practice around Disaster Risk Reduction, enabling it to work to reduce multiple risks in a more coordinated and collective fashion, and creating awareness on multi-hazard thinking collective action;
2. Support the incorporation of co-produced disaster risk reduction measures in new pro-poor action planning initiatives in low-income (informal) settlements; risks from the city’s multiple and interacting hazards, particularly for more vulnerable residents;
3. To support the design of a more risk-sensitive policy framework built on the multi-hazard thinking particularly in relation to more proactive management of risk accumulation currently associated with the city’s urban growth and expansion;
4. Provide compelling examples of multiple interacting risks and how they can be co-managed by state and non-state actors;

We are seeking a qualified candidate for the position of a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow: Urban Flood Risk Modelling to engage and support research in the area of urban disaster risk management.

Purpose of the position

This position is aimed at supporting risk analysis and mapping, as well as DRR policy development for the Nairobi City based, on the work articulated under the Nairobi Hub work programme and the Theory of Change. Under the work package 3 (WP3) work plan, the candidate will focus on flood risks within informal settlements of Nairobi, specifically the Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA), but will also look into the wider Nairobi City County and its environs to contextualize flash floods in the associated catchments. Using state of the art research techniques, the candidate will develop robust flood risk and hazard mapping techniques on Mukuru and assess the potential interventions being proposed as part of the SPA. Additionally, these techniques and maps need to be compatible with other hazard mapping techniques such as fire and earthquake hazard/risk mapping.

The purpose of flood modelling are:

• To understand the current levels of flood susceptibility across Nairobi and within Mukuru;
• To determine the drivers of past flood events and potential future events; and
• Assess the change in likelihood of these drivers in future climate conditions based on climate change scenarios.

The candidate is also expected to have an appreciation of the fact that an integrated and informed risk management approach requires a clear understanding and presentation of the physical risks which forms part of the holistic narrative of risk that also involves the socio-cultural, political and economic contexts and drivers of risks. Ideally, this candidate is expected to play a fundamental role in facilitating appropriate decision making for the Mukuru SPA to reduce their multi-hazard risk-scape.  Additionally, the individual will be expected to support the establishment of a community of practice around disaster risk reduction within Nairobi, and thus will require to be able to make the research outputs accessible through policy briefs and alike.

The key output of WP3 is a quantitative hazards and community risk management planning tool for flood, fire and heat waves in Nairobi City County.  The work package brings together flood risk modelling, fire risk modelling and heat wave risk assessment, the latter based on livelihoods and risk profiles developed in WP 1 and WP 2 respectively. The specific task of flood modelling involves selecting and developing appropriate methods to model floods and their magnitudes with specific understanding of the exposure of the inhabitants and to the impacts of floods on the susceptibility for landslides, mud flows, rock falls etc., for the citywide and Mukuru informal settlement specifically.

go to method of application »

Programme: Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub under the Climate Resilient Economies Programme and the Africa Sustainability Hub at the African Centre for Technology Studies

Line manager: Professor George Khroda (University of Nairobi), Dr Musyimi Mbathi (University of Nairobi), and Dr Hugh Sinclair (University of Edinburgh).

Qualifications

• Must hold a PhD in Civil or Water Engineering or Hydrology, Urban Geography, Flood Science or other relevant field.
• Experience in applied research and the identification of uncertainties
• Evidence of urban mapping, statistical analysis, and handling of large datasets is desirable
• Expertise in flood modelling within informal urban environments.
• Good understanding of climate change scenarios.
• Must be self-motivated and follow strict timelines.
• A good record of academic publications - excellent academic writing skills, data base expertise, and familiarity with policy briefs.
• Development of participatory risk maps.
• Ability to work in teams
• Ability to transfer localized models to other areas with relative ease.

Skills and competences

• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills, with proven ability to support narratives to describe results.
• A team player with ability to build strong working relationships, and experience working across different disciplines and with different stakeholders.
• Ability to work under limited supervision, produce regular internal progress reports and meet deadlines
• Strong technical writing skills and the ability to engage with literatures from the Humanities and Social Sciences
• Ability to write effectively and report to different audiences.
• Ability to manage own time effectively to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of different demands.

Main Responsibilities

Research

• Collect secondary flood data and impact for modelling and mapping across the city from organizations such as the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), SDI/CURI/KDI, and Newspaper articles, and any other sources.
• Carry out field visits for data collection, verification of facts and ground truthing.
• Map historic flood events in Mukuru and other Nairobi catchments as appropriate GIS/Google Earth/Satellite Imagery and other appropriate datasets as necessary, in support of the point above.
• Compute Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Nairobi City County in general but with high resolution for Mukuru informal settlement.
• Delineate watershed, soil types, natural and constructed drainage infrastructure (roads, railroads, land use etc) from current and other available planning maps of the city and more specifically within the Mukuru basin.
• Analyze statistics provided from Nairobi City County contacts and other sources to provide initial analysis of frequentist flood data, and working with other Hub researchers, support the analysis of gender/intersectionality risk issues at the settlement (Mukuru) and city level.
• Compute Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Nairobi City County in general but with high resolution for Mukuru informal settlement.
• Delineate watershed, soil types, natural and constructed drainage infrastructure (roads, railroads, land use etc) from current and other available planning maps of the city and more specifically within the Mukuru basin.
• Using ArcGIS tools, develop a hydrological model based on surface flow models; using digital elevation model (DEM) based on frequency and magnitudes of the flooding for a 20-year (1990-2010) period.
• Carry out calibration, validation and sensitivity analysis of the model.
• Using catchment areas to produce flood outlines, depth and velocity distributions for current and future rainfall scenarios.
• Select flash floods, identify and delineate flooding hotspots, and any cascading hazards.
• Forecast any potential damages/ impacts during major rainy periods and select elements of an Early Warning Systems.
• Link flood maps with socio-economic and demographic profiles (WP 1) and vulnerability profiles (WP 2) to assess risk and map risk profiles.
• Present data and meta-data for internal and external dissemination, working closely with other physical hazards modelers within the Hub to ensure data compatibility, for both inventory purposes, and for multi-hazard risk and resilience identification/assessment purposes.

Policy and outreach

• Work with other researchers within the Hub specifically looking at community engagement and planning to facilitate their discussions through developing flood risk maps in easily understandable forms, potentially participating in pertinent discussions.
• Support the production of policy briefs for, and with, local, national and international stakeholders (i.e. NCC, UN-Habitat) on the mapping of flood risks in informal urban settlements.
• Support the establishment of DRR Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP will include a wide array of stakeholders drawn from local, county, national and international levels to support a more integrated review and inputs into the research outputs and outcomes.
• Support the development and delivery of a multi-hazard DRR Management Plan for the City
• Support and contribute to the Capacity building plans designed towards the desired culture change through contributing to Capacity needs assessments, skill development through targeted programmes including capacity building programmes, customized trainings, Exchange visits (annually), Executive courses (Yr 2) to deliver an open process for career development
• Prepare integrated policy interventions and plans.

Terms of Employment

• One (1) year Contract renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
• The position provides competitive pensionable remuneration with an inclusive medical cover
• Provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of Disaster Management and with real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
• The position provides an equal opportunity for all, and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

go to method of application »

The Nairobi  Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Disasters represent one of the greatest threats to humanity, currently and in the future. In the context of urbanization, cities are increasingly becoming hotspots for disasters with over 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas. Resilience of these cities is critical to the livelihoods and sustainability of world’s population. The Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub is part of a larger research project funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund known as the “Tomorrow’s Cities” programme, which is a five year interdisciplinary global research programme where the mission is “to reduce disaster risk for the poor in tomorrow’s cities”. The project works globally to bring multi-hazard disaster risk management to the centre of urban policy and practice and the focus for our research is on four rapidly developing cities: Nairobi, Kathmandu, Istanbul and Quito. In Nairobi, this exciting opportunity brings together leading researchers,  community representatives and government leaders to work towards an unprecedented resolution to influence planning and to deliver real impact through interdisciplinary research.

Floods, collapsing buildings, and fires are prevalent hazards in Nairobi. While most parts of the city experiences such disasters in different magnitude, Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) are major frontiers of these hazards, both natural and human risks owing to a number of compounding reasons. For instance, fires are common phenomenon in slums often emerging from various sources including electrical faults (resulting from poor/illegal electrical infrastructure), poor cooking spaces among others.  The main goal for the Nairobi Hub is to provide Nairobi with the capacity and policy framework that enables a shift from crisis/emergency response towards integrated urban development and planning for enhanced disaster risk preparedness and management, through policy relevant and transdisciplinary research. The need for such a transition is recognized at the Nairobi city county government level, reflected among others in the Nairobi Disaster Management Act 2019, which is currently under review.

The Nairobi hub is managed and run by organizations with excellent track records in research, policy and community work:

1. African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): The hub is led by ACTS as the coordinating partner – hosting the hub office. ACTS is an independent, not for profit, inter-governmental, and Pan-African development and policy research organization, working to harness applications of science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development in Africa. Founded in ACTS 1988, ACTS remains one of the leading think tanks in Africa with a specific mandate to conduct research and policy analysis; to provide technical advisory services; and to undertake capacity building and dissemination of knowledge on applications of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Within its mandate, ACTS works on various timely research projects hosted within a variety of timely and contextually relevant programmes: Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), and STI for development and Agriculture and food security. ACTS has established itself as a centre for excellence informing green growth and sustainable development in Africa and internationally. In 2016, ACTS was ranked among the top 3 think tanks in climate change, resilience research and policy influence globally - an improvement in relation to the think tanks ranking in the past. The ranking, an authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy, by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) under the “ICCG Climate Think Tank Ranking Initiative is based on organizational activities, publications and dissemination.. The 2016 ranking assessed 244 think tanks specialized in the research fields of climate change and climate policy.
2. University of Nairobi: The University of Nairobi will co-lead a number of research activities under risk modelling and community resilience planning. The Centre for Urban Research and Innovation (CURI), is a centre of excellence on urban research, and is part of a consortia formed to help plan Mukuru. CURI has continued to participate in many community-based initiatives such as informal settlements upgrading, Community Fire Response Mechanisms, Urban Learning Studios, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Land and Natural resources tenure security, Urban Development Control Policy, and Unlocking Poverty and upscaling the Respect for Rights in Informal Settlements. Other departments – Geography & Geology – will bring in key experts in physical hazards research. Further the University, is help strengthen our impact strategy through anchoring capacity building strategies, multi-hazard courses and executive trainings among others.
3. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): KDI is a non-profit design and community development organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya since 2013. KDI partners with underserved communities to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic and social quality of life.
4. Nairobi’s City-County Government: The City-County government is the primary authority charged with providing public services and mandated to develop the City Disaster Management Plan. The Nairobi city-county government will be the lead impact partner for the hub, and will co-host the community of practice meetings with partners.
5. Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Kenya: A key support NGO for Nairobi’s federation of urban poor groups (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), a partner in the Mukuru Spatial Planning Area (SPA) consortium, and an affiliate of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. SDI Kenya, is the non-profit technical and professional secretariat for the federation of Kenyan slum residents known as Muungano Wa Wanavijiji. SDI Kenya is part of the Kenyan alliance (with Akiba Mashinani Trust Muungano waWanavijiji), that is charged with coordination, community organization and communication. As part of SDI, the Akiba Mashinani Trust is also involved to support linkages with the Spatial Planning Area.
6. UK-based partners: to support research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), as well as management and leadership. These include experts from the Kings College London, University of Sussex- Institute of Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, and the UK Met Office. Various physical and social scientists from these Universities have been integrated to support various research work packages taking place in the City. Other indirect partners include the Mukuru Community and a Community of Practice to be structured - who will be instrumental in the pathway to impact.
7. Global partners: the Risk Nexus Initiative (RNI), which has networks in Costa Rica, Spain, South America and India.

Specific Objectives of the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Nairobi Hub will adopt a transformative approach that seeks to utilize interdisciplinary research evidence as a tool for convening various stakeholders to achieve the specific objectives listed below;

1. To apply interdisciplinary research evidence to convene and strengthen the emerging community of practice around Disaster Risk Reduction, enabling it to work to reduce multiple risks in a more coordinated and collective fashion, and creating awareness on multi-hazard thinking collective action;
2. Support the incorporation of co-produced disaster risk reduction measures in new pro-poor action planning initiatives in low-income (informal) settlements; risks from the city’s multiple and interacting hazards, particularly for more vulnerable residents;
3. To support the design of a more risk-sensitive policy framework built on the multi-hazard thinking particularly in relation to more proactive management of risk accumulation currently associated with the city’s urban growth and expansion;
4. Provide compelling examples of multiple interacting risks and how they can be co-managed by state and non-state actors;

We are seeking a qualified candidate for the position of a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow: Disaster Management Policy to engage and support research in the area of policy analysis and decision making support for the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub.

Purpose of the position

This position is aimed at supporting the policy analysis and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policy development for the Nairobi City, based on the work articulated under the Nairobi Hub work programme and the Theory of Change.  The position is expected to support the mapping and understanding of historical transitions in Nairobi and their implications for disaster risk, and the gaps and opportunities to inform strategies for better integration of risk in urban governance. The holder of this position is expected to have a clear understanding that integrated and informed risk management approaches require a clear understanding of historical and current context and drivers of vulnerability as well as future policy and governance scenarios. Ideally, this position is expected to play a catalytic role in understanding and promoting a desired culture shift from emergency response to more integrated risk preparedness and development planning.  Additionally, the individual will be expected to play a key role in supporting the science-policy relationships through supporting research translation, convening policy roundtables and supporting the establishment of a systematic and organized community of practice in DRR management in Nairobi and in line with the Hub’s theory of change. 

Programme: Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub under the Climate Resilient Economies Programme and the Africa Sustainability Hub at the African Centre for Technology Studies

Line manager: Dr Joanes Atela (Head of Climate Resilient Economies Programme and City Lead - Nairobi Risk Hub) at the African Centre for Technology Studies, and UK City Co-leads - Dr Lars Otto Naess (Institute of Development Studies) and Dr Dave Rush (University of Edinburgh).

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a PhD in relevant fields including Disaster Management, Public Policy, Development Studies, International Relations, Environmental Policy, Sustainability Studies, or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in research and policy analysis
• Experience in applied research is critical for this position
• A good record of academic publications and policy/stakeholder convening will be an added advantage
• Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in working in research and policy environment and ambitious career goal around research and development.

Skills and competences

• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills with proven ability to support narratives to describe results.
• A team player with ability to build strong working relationships, and experience working across different disciplines.
• Ability to work under limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Good writing skills and demonstrated ability to engage in technical writing
• Ability to write effectively and report to different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of different demands.

Main Responsibilities

Research

• Support the establishment of an inventory of organizations, institutions, policies and legislation on risk management in Nairobi and in informal settlements, applying innovative methodologies such as desk study (data from a wide scan of sources including the UrbanARK & ForPAC projects’ historical loss databases, National Disaster Operations Centre, and a range of other sources), key informant interviews, Participatory Impact Pathways Analysis (PIPA), and the UN-HABITAT City Resilience Action Planning tool.
• In collaboration with various research teams, work closely with the database management specialist to establish an online database of risks and other resilience variables including population, building development, investments, vulnerability, gender, risk loss data across hazards among others.
• Contribute to the synthesis of the inventory data into a background paper for the Hub -outlining the social, economic and policy drivers shaping the risk context in Nairobi, map of actors and institutions.
• Contribute to the review and understanding of the urban transitions – documenting the past, present and future urban risk patterns (urban morphology) in Nairobi, and the relationship between the urban poor and city level processes.
• In close consultation with the gender post-doctoral research fellow, support the analysis of gender/intersectionality and social differentiation at the settlement (Mukuru) and city level.
• With guidance from the senior researchers, analyse the governance barriers and opportunities for integration of risk in urban governance, both city-wide and as it relates to the Mukuru informal settlement.
• Undertake in-depth policy review and analysis - the Disaster Management Act, the National Disaster Management Policies - and outline key opportunities for embedding multi-hazard thinking for more futuristic planning.
• Undertake in-depth sectoral reviews, analysis and audits of various sectoral policies within Nairobi County and establish the linkages and opportunities for multi-hazard risk planning and preparedness.
• Support the analysis of the political economy of Disaster Management and identify the various policy narratives driving risk governance in Nairobi, and their implications for the Hub’s support to strategies for integration of risk in the Disaster Management and Planning.
• Support and contribute to the design, execution and documentation of policy scenario visioning exercises including workshops, policy roundtables among others.
• Closely work with DRR stakeholders in the City and research teams to co-develop future scenarios for the city and arrive at a shared future vision with particular focus on the implications of different scenarios for gender equity and social differentiation of risk impacts.

Policy and outreach

• Support Stakeholder engagement and relations building across and between different partners of the Hub - facilitate engagement and strengthen partnerships for building science-policy relations.
• Support the mapping and understanding of the engagement needs of all the work packages - this will be done to ensure that all the engagements are integrated and well liked for research integrations and cost-effectiveness.
• Support the design and establishment of DRR Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP will include a wide array of stakeholders drawn from local, county, national and international levels to support a more integrated review and inputs into the research outputs and outcomes.
• Support the establishment and running of the DRR Evidence Hub/convening and policy support as well as using the evidence to support integrated policies for the city.
• Lead research translation by breaking down the research outputs and findings into non-technical versions and policy messages to be used for policy discussions and long term DRR planning for the City.
• Convene regular policy dialogues with the Nairobi county and the National governments as well as other stakeholders to share and dialogue on the emerging insights and visions for a more proactive DRR planning for the city.
• Support the development and delivery of a multi-hazard DRR Management Plan for the City.
• Support and contribute to the capacity building plans designed towards the desired culture change through contributing to capacity needs assessments, skill development through targeted programmes such as capacity building programmes, customized trainings, Exchange visits (annually), and Executive courses to deliver an open process for career development.

Terms of Employment

• Two (2) years renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
• The position provides competitive pensionable remuneration with an inclusive competitive medical cover.
• Provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of Disaster Management and with real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
• The position provides an equal opportunity for all, and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

go to method of application »

The Nairobi  Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Disasters represent one of the greatest threats to humanity, currently and in the future. In the context of urbanization, cities are increasingly becoming hotspots for disasters with over 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas. Resilience of these cities is critical to the livelihoods and sustainability of world’s population. The Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub is part of a larger research project funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund known as the “Tomorrow’s Cities” programme, which is a five year interdisciplinary global research programme where the mission is “to reduce disaster risk for the poor in tomorrow’s cities”. The project works globally to bring multi-hazard disaster risk management to the centre of urban policy and practice and the focus for our research is on four rapidly developing cities: Nairobi, Kathmandu, Istanbul and Quito. In Nairobi, this exciting opportunity brings together leading researchers,  community representatives and government leaders to work towards an unprecedented resolution to influence planning and to deliver real impact through interdisciplinary research.

Floods, collapsing buildings, and fires are prevalent hazards in Nairobi. While most parts of the city experiences such disasters in different magnitude, Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) are major frontiers of these hazards, both natural and human risks owing to a number of compounding reasons. For instance, fires are common phenomenon in slums often emerging from various sources including electrical faults (resulting from poor/illegal electrical infrastructure), poor cooking spaces among others.  The main goal for the Nairobi Hub is to provide Nairobi with the capacity and policy framework that enables a shift from crisis/emergency response towards integrated urban development and planning for enhanced disaster risk preparedness and management, through policy relevant and transdisciplinary research. The need for such a transition is recognized at the Nairobi city county government level, reflected among others in the Nairobi Disaster Management Act 2019, which is currently under review.

The Nairobi hub is managed and run by organizations with excellent track records in research, policy and community work:

1. African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): The hub is led by ACTS as the coordinating partner – hosting the hub office. ACTS is an independent, not for profit, inter-governmental, and Pan-African development and policy research organization, working to harness applications of science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development in Africa. Founded in ACTS 1988, ACTS remains one of the leading think tanks in Africa with a specific mandate to conduct research and policy analysis; to provide technical advisory services; and to undertake capacity building and dissemination of knowledge on applications of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Within its mandate, ACTS works on various timely research projects hosted within a variety of timely and contextually relevant programmes: Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), and STI for development and Agriculture and food security. ACTS has established itself as a centre for excellence informing green growth and sustainable development in Africa and internationally. In 2016, ACTS was ranked among the top 3 think tanks in climate change, resilience research and policy influence globally - an improvement in relation to the think tanks ranking in the past. The ranking, an authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy, by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) under the “ICCG Climate Think Tank Ranking Initiative is based on organizational activities, publications and dissemination.. The 2016 ranking assessed 244 think tanks specialized in the research fields of climate change and climate policy.
2. University of Nairobi: The University of Nairobi will co-lead a number of research activities under risk modelling and community resilience planning. The Centre for Urban Research and Innovation (CURI), is a centre of excellence on urban research, and is part of a consortia formed to help plan Mukuru. CURI has continued to participate in many community-based initiatives such as informal settlements upgrading, Community Fire Response Mechanisms, Urban Learning Studios, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Land and Natural resources tenure security, Urban Development Control Policy, and Unlocking Poverty and upscaling the Respect for Rights in Informal Settlements. Other departments – Geography & Geology – will bring in key experts in physical hazards research. Further the University, is help strengthen our impact strategy through anchoring capacity building strategies, multi-hazard courses and executive trainings among others.
3. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): KDI is a non-profit design and community development organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya since 2013. KDI partners with underserved communities to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic and social quality of life.
4. Nairobi’s City-County Government: The City-County government is the primary authority charged with providing public services and mandated to develop the City Disaster Management Plan. The Nairobi city-county government will be the lead impact partner for the hub, and will co-host the community of practice meetings with partners.
5. Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Kenya: A key support NGO for Nairobi’s federation of urban poor groups (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), a partner in the Mukuru Spatial Planning Area (SPA) consortium, and an affiliate of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. SDI Kenya, is the non-profit technical and professional secretariat for the federation of Kenyan slum residents known as Muungano Wa Wanavijiji. SDI Kenya is part of the Kenyan alliance (with Akiba Mashinani Trust Muungano waWanavijiji), that is charged with coordination, community organization and communication. As part of SDI, the Akiba Mashinani Trust is also involved to support linkages with the Spatial Planning Area.
6. UK-based partners: to support research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), as well as management and leadership. These include experts from the Kings College London, University of Sussex- Institute of Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, and the UK Met Office. Various physical and social scientists from these Universities have been integrated to support various research work packages taking place in the City. Other indirect partners include the Mukuru Community and a Community of Practice to be structured - who will be instrumental in the pathway to impact.
7. Global partners: the Risk Nexus Initiative (RNI), which has networks in Costa Rica, Spain, South America and India.

Specific Objectives of the Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Nairobi Hub will adopt a transformative approach that seeks to utilize interdisciplinary research evidence as a tool for convening various stakeholders to achieve the specific objectives listed below;

1. To apply interdisciplinary research evidence to convene and strengthen the emerging community of practice around Disaster Risk Reduction, enabling it to work to reduce multiple risks in a more coordinated and collective fashion, and creating awareness on multi-hazard thinking collective action;
2. Support the incorporation of co-produced disaster risk reduction measures in new pro-poor action planning initiatives in low-income (informal) settlements; risks from the city’s multiple and interacting hazards, particularly for more vulnerable residents;
3. To support the design of a more risk-sensitive policy framework built on the multi-hazard thinking particularly in relation to more proactive management of risk accumulation currently associated with the city’s urban growth and expansion;
4. Provide compelling examples of multiple interacting risks and how they can be co-managed by state and non-state actors;

We are seeking a qualified candidate for the position of a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow on  Gender and Disaster Risk Management. 

Purpose of the position

This position is aimed at supporting the integration and mainstreaming of gender issues in the Nairobi Hub research programme as well as to clearly identify how gender issues including roles, positions and power dynamics play into vulnerability, risk and preparedness to multi-hazards. A key deliverable will be to develop and deploy suitable gender analysis tools across the work packages and to bring out a clear understanding and intersectionality of gender roles in urban transition as well as in building community resilience. Most importantly, the holder of this position will be expected to work closely with senior researchers to identify, design and outline the role of women, men, the youth and people living with disabilities (PLWD) in vulnerability and resilience building initiatives such as strengthening governance systems and participating in disaster relief activities, sharing local knowledge and traditions as well as developing capacity for risk reduction., The position will further provide advisory services on gender support systems including gender sensitive participation in research activities and stakeholder platforms such as the community of practice. Mainstreaming gender voices in the various convening events will be a key expectation – ensuring – through equitable representation of women and men in the platforms as well as preserving special sessions for them.

Job title: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow: Gender and Disaster Risk Management for the Tomorrow’s Cities’ Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub

Programme: Nairobi Urban Disaster Risk Hub under the Climate Resilient Economies Programme and the Africa Sustainability Hub at the African Centre for Technology Studies

Line manager: Dr Joanes Atela (Head of Climate Resilient Economies Programme and City Lead - Nairobi Risk Hub) at the African Centre for Technology Studies; Ms Eunice Bururu (University of Nairobi); and UK City Co-leads - Dr Lars Otto Naess (Institute of Development Studies) and Dr Dave Rush (University of Edinburgh).

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a PhD in relevant field including gender studies, development studies – with experience in gender-based research, public policy - with experience in gender based studies, Disaster Management – with experience in gender-based studies, Environmental studies - with experience in gender-based studies.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in research on gender related issues achieved before, during or after the PhD.
• Experience in applied research is critical for this position
• A good record of academic publications will be an added advantage
• Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience working in policy related research and ambitious career goal around research and development.

Skills and competences

• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills with proven ability to support narratives to describe results.
• A team player with ability to build strong working relationships, and experience working across different disciplines.
• Ability to work under limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Good writing skills and demonstrated ability to engage in technical writing
• Ability to write effectively and report to different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of different demands.

Main Responsibilities

Research

• Undertake in-depth literature review, desk studies and high level consultations on gender transitions in disaster risk management in Nairobi, highlighting cases, challenges and best practices.
• Review and document existing tools and approaches applied in gender mainstreaming and integration in disaster risk management, and draw from these to design a more integrated tool for supporting gender mainstreaming for the Nairobi Hub both at settlement and city levels
• Design and implement gender studies across the various workstreams and integrate accordingly across the work streams
• Support the analysis and understanding of gender roles and interactions within Community Resilience and Vulnerability
• Support the analysis of gender perspectives within the experiences that various communities living in Mukuru and other settlements have had of hazards, historically and presently
• Systematically investigate, analyse and demonstrate how exposure to hazards (mainly fire and floods and their cascades) impact the day to day gender roles and shape relationships between various social groups in Nairobi.
• Systematically investigate, analyse and demonstrate - through studies - how broader policy and stakeholder interactions in Nairobi City and its environs shape exposure to hazards (mainly fire and floods and their cascades)
• Undertake gender based audits of the Disaster Management policies governing Nairobi city, drawing from the international, national and city level perspectives, and clearly articulating multi-level interactions and implications for the City.
• Lead and contribute to the development of technical outputs including publications – journal articles, working papers drawing from the specific work plans of the Nairobi Hub.
• Participate and contribute to quarterly research meetings, providing updates and progress to research teams and also getting comments and learnings from the teams.

Policy and outreach

• Mainstream gender evidence gathered across the workstreams to support the development of action plans including infrastructure designs/plans, land use plans at settlement (Mukuru) and City levels
• Ensure gender considerations and voices are taken in to account in all consultative meetings and platforms under the Hub including focus group discussions, community of Practice meetings, policy workshops and stakeholder and meetings.
• Draw from experiences in community resilience planning and policy processes to design simple, non-technical guidelines on gender mainstreaming for a multi-hazard risk preparedness
• Demonstrate through pilot interventions, the application of the above guidelines in consultations with other work streams.
• Support research translation and contribute to the development of quarterly information newsletters, policy briefs for dissemination to various audiences.
• Support the setting of an evidence convening Hub/resource Centre as part of the long term goal of the Nairobi Hub.

Terms of Employment

• Two (2) years renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
• The position provides competitive pensionable remuneration with an inclusive medical cover
• Provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of Disaster Management and with real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
• The position provides an equal opportunity for all, and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.