Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Research, policy and capacity development tasks
- Coordinate the Centre’s research on water and sanitation, including water planning and management and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).
- Conduct research on WASH and gender outcomes in rural and urban contexts in Africa.
- Conduct research on WASH governance within the broader context of water management planning at municipal, basin wide and national levels.
- Support the Natural Resources and Ecosystems programme team in research design, data collection and archiving, data analysis, writing of publications, and dissemination of findings through seminars, workshops, conferences, and other public outreach activities.
- Support colleagues at SEI Africa on activities such as proposal development, partnership building, capacity strengthening and in identifying, analysing and proposing actions by SEI to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities on water, WASH, land and ecosystems, at the global, regional and national levels.
- Contribute to formulation and implementation of the Natural Resources and Ecosystems Programme’s work plan, including budget, design, development and implementation of research projects within themes that further the aims and objectives of SEI.
- Support the SEI Africa Centre to develop and maintain a contact network of researchers, decision-makers and partner organizations in Africa relevant to SEI’s work on water, sanitation and gender.
- In collaboration with the SEI Africa communications team, undertake outreach activities that include teaching, presentations, dialogues and briefings, articles for specialist publications and interaction with the media as appropriate.
- Identify funding sources, lead or contribute to fundraising, and seek to secure funding for projects on WASH.
Project specific tasks
- Support the implementation of the project on “Gender and social outcomes of WASH interventions” by conducting systematic reviews and engagement with local stakeholders;
- Contribute to the Centre’s engagement in the SEI Initiative on “Water beyond boundaries.”
- Work on existing and new projects as per general tasks.
Requirements
- Master’s degree or equivalent in water management, natural resources management, environmental studies, sociology, gender studies, geography, economics, public policy, or interdisciplinary studies with water and sanitation and/or gender relevant qualifications.
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant progressive research and policy engagement experience in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
- Research background in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and/or gender studies, preferably applied research that links with policy action and decision-making in African context
- Demonstrated publication record in both refereed and non-refereed publications.
- Demonstrated experience in leading qualitative research projects
- Background and/or experience in gender in water and natural resource management.
- Experience in preparing articles and other publications.
- Experience in communicating scientific information to a range of different audiences.
- Experience in project/research design, implementation and management.
- Experience and background in data processing and analysis using qualitative methods, or mixed methods approaches.
- Proven experience in fundraising and writing of research grant proposals.
Skills
Required
1. Knowledge of water and WASH policies at the national, regional and international levels;
2. Knowledge and experience in conducting research on WASH and gender in both rural and urban settings;
3. Highly developed verbal and oral communications skills to engage effectively with a wide range of audience, including scientists, policy makers, civil society actors, and the general public;
4. Ability to work independently, with little supervision, as well as being comfortable working in international teams in a virtual environment.
Desirable
1. Fluency or working ability in Kiswahili and/or French;
2. Demonstrated record of interdisciplinary collaboration, partnership and team building and a desire to work in a collaborative and multicultural environment;
3. Strong motivation, personal initiative and commitment to excellence, as well as enthusiasm for doing scientific research.
4. Willingness to travel frequently to support partners
1. Knowledge of water and WASH policies at the national, regional and international levels;
2. Knowledge and experience in conducting research on WASH and gender in both rural and urban settings;
3. Highly developed verbal and oral communications skills to engage effectively with a wide range of audience, including scientists, policy makers, civil society actors, and the general public;
4. Ability to work independently, with little supervision, as well as being comfortable working in international teams in a virtual environment.
Desirable
1. Fluency or working ability in Kiswahili and/or French;
2. Demonstrated record of interdisciplinary collaboration, partnership and team building and a desire to work in a collaborative and multicultural environment;
3. Strong motivation, personal initiative and commitment to excellence, as well as enthusiasm for doing scientific research.
4. Willingness to travel frequently to support partners
Job Summary
The position holder will conduct research, policy engagement and capacity building activities on water and sanitation, and coordinate the work on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) within the Natural Resources and Ecosystems Programme. The position holder will also support project implementation across the Centre and provide scientific advice to external partners, including policy makers, local communities and private sector actors.
