Research Fellow - Climate and Disaster Resilience - SEI at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate local case studies, capacity building and engagement activities in Africa for SEI’s Transforming Development and Disaster Risk (TDDR) Initiative in collaboration with    colleagues in the Asia Centre, and in other SEI centres;
• Represent TDDR in the activities of and liaise with national and regional institutions, including IGAD (inter-governmental authority on development), UNISDR, the Africa               Regional Platform, and other relevant institutions in the Africa region;
• Conduct analysis of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and resilience approaches, and how these can support the implementation of regional, sub-regional and        national development frameworks in Africa;
• Support the implementation of the project on “Bridging climate information gap to strengthen capacity for informed decision making and development programmes in Africa”;
• Support and conduct research, communication and outreach on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience at SEI;
• Develop and maintain a contact network of researchers, decision-makers and partner organisations in Africa relevant to SEI’s work on disaster risk, climate change adaptation        and resilience;
• Contribute to the Natural Resources & Ecosystems programme at SEI Africa through initiating and participating in developing proposals and bringing to attention strategic            opportunities inside and outside the region related to disaster risk, climate change adaptation and resilience and related sectors; and
• Work on existing and new projects as per general tasks.

Skill set

Required Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Masters degree in disaster risk management/disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, geography, environmental studies, natural sciences, economics,        public policy, engineering, or interdisciplinary with disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation qualifications
• An advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) will be an added advantage
• At least five (5) years in a relevant full-time position

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of disaster risk, climate change and resilience policies at the global and regional level
• Knowledge on key global and regional policies and processes relevant to disaster risk , climate change and resilience in Africa
• Knowledge and experience in conducting vulnerability assessment, risk profiling, hazard mapping and the application of tools and frameworks for disaster risk analysis, climate        change adaptation and resilience.
• Quantitative and/or qualitative research methods skills
• Specific experience of using CRiSTAL tool for vulnerability assessment and weAdapt climate adaptation knowledge platform (both developed by SEI)
• Demonstrated experience in conducting fieldwork with local communities
• Experience conducting empirical (field-based) research on disaster and climatic risks such as floods, drought and others and their effect on development sectors (water,                  agriculture, energy, infrastructure etc.)
• Good knowledge of climate services landscape in Africa
• Experience in policy-relevant and interdisciplinary research
• Experience in preparing articles and other publications
• Good facilitation and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently, without much instruction from the management, as well as being comfortable working in international teams in a virtual environment
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills for both technical and public audiences
• Fluency or working ability in Kiswahili, French and/or other relevant languages
• Ability to represent SEI at conferences
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to organize workshops, conferences and events