The Project Advancing Capacity to Address global Challenges through Investment corridors in Africa (ACACIA) is an ambitious new four-year project funded by the RCUK Global Challenges Research Fund programme on Capacity Development focusing on Development corridors that have tremendous potential to support economic growth in Africa, yet face significant challenges. ACACIA aims to addresses these challenges through engagement with decision makers and developing capacity within research institutions, researchers and other stakeholders in eastern Africa, China and the UK. The research is targeted to generate decision relevant evidence and feed it into key decision-making processes in order to improve the sustainable development outcomes of investments in development corridors.
The University of Nairobi (ICCA) and African Conservation Centre in Kenya are co-leads in the programme and, wish to recruit two (2) postdoctoral researchers, on a full-time 100% FTE basis for a period of two years, renewable once, starting 1st July 2017, or as soon as possible thereafter. These two positions, specified below, will provide research and technical input to the ACACIA project.

• Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow – Biodiversity
• Organization: Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation
• Location: Nairobi, with fieldwork visits to LAPSSET and SGR corridor areas
• Stipend: An attractive package will be offered
• Hours: Full time
• Contract Type: Two years, renewable once
• Restrictions: Open to Kenya citizens only
• Reporting to : Lucy Waruingi & Prof. Daniel Olago Co-leads of the programme
• Starting Date: 1st July 2018
• Additional Information: The ACACIA project will offer supervision and all operational costs directly related to the research work. The Fellow will be based in the ACC office in Nairobi and will also have affiliation with the ICCA

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will be based in the Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Nairobi, and will be engaged in the following research activities:

• Assembly, review and analysis of existing information and data on water resources within Kenya and in particular in the Kenya development corridors.
• Carry out well-designed hydrocensus and other surveys to gain a better understanding of the climate change-water-livelihoods-development nexus and the water sector value chain. Using a suite of scenarios and risk assessment approaches, project climate and development impacts on water resources as well as related livelihoods, natural and built infrastructure, and other risks.
• Contributions to and authorship of top-quality peer reviewed manuscripts in leading journals.
• Dissemination of research findings by presenting results at conferences, participating in workshops or exhibiting work at other appropriate events, and providing material for the project web site and the sponsors.

REQUIREMENTS: ESSENTIAL:

Hold a PhD degree:

• Strong on water resource assessments and links to livelihoods, ecosystems and infrastructure development
• Experience of undertaking high quality research in decision-support system, ecosystem service planning process, environmental sciences, conservation planning and/or sustainable development
• Desire to learn and explore new intellectual territory
• Knowledge of sustainable development, climate change mitigation and adaptation, East African environmental and developmental policies
• Experience in water resource modelling and use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) platforms in research
• Motivation and ability to work collaboratively in a large transdisciplinary project including multiple disciplines, cultures, languages and environments
• Willingness to undertake field and stakeholder-based research
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and to coordinate and oversee research assistants

DESIREABLE:

• Experience of reporting and presenting research findings to a variety of audiences
• Familiarity with multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary approaches to research.

TO APPLY:

Applications should include the following:

• cover letter,
• a 500 word motivation statement related to the proposed research theme (3) A two page CV
• certified copies of BA/BSc, MA/MSc, and PhD degree certificates,
• two academic and one non-academic references.

Applications should be submitted through email only and should be received on or before midnight (East African Time) on Friday 1st June 2018. The email address is: [email protected] Applications should be addressed to: The Co-Leads – ACACIA Project,