Opening Positions at Wyss Academy

Your tasks 

• Assess state and trends in climate, water resources, land cover and vegetation in the Ewaso Ng’iro 
• North River basin using available observations, and co-develop hypotheses to advance understanding  of emerging signals in water and biodiversity changes. 
• Provide future projections of the regional climate of the Ewaso Ng’iro basin using available model  projections by performing statistical downscaling and bias corrections, if necessary. 
• Analyse climate change scenarios for hydrological and vegetation modelling. 
• Support scientific collaborations with local partners (IGAD ICPAC, UoN, SEKU, CETRAD). 
• Support other transdisciplinary research linked to incubators of the East Africa Hub. 
• Supervision of PhD, MSc or intern students (if applicable) would be possible (no teaching requirements). 

Your qualifications 

• PhD in Climate/Atmospheric/Earth/Environmental sciences or a related field (PhD degree to be  completed or expected to be completed by the start of the position). 
• Work experience in one of the following areas: 1) climate change and its impacts, particularly on vegetation or water resources,  global or regional climate modelling or statistical downscaling. 
• Tools/methods (mandatory): Strong background in climate processes, proficient with data analyses (observations and climate models of various complexity), knowledge of statistical analysis, proficient  with programming tools, such as Python or R. 
• Tools/Methods (optional): Knowledge of African climate is a plus, experience with remote sensing  data, experience with dynamical or statistical downscaling techniques, and bias correction methods, experience with Linux and High-Performance Computing systems. 
• Very good skills in English (oral and wrien) are mandatory, Kiswahili is a plus. 

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Main Tasks 

• Assess the state of biodiversity in the Ewaso Ng’iro River North Basin through literature review  and data collection. 
• Develop scenarios for biodiversity responses to climate change and other stressors, collaborating with  the Climate Scenarios Research Scientist. 
• Strengthen long-term biodiversity monitoring and reporting through robust data collection methods. 
• Organize and deliver seminars at the Wangari Maathai Institute (WMI), University of Nairobi. 
• Supervise PhD, MSc, or intern students as needed. 
• Support scientific collaborations with local partners (UoN, National Museums of Kenya, Community  Conservation groups, SEKU, CETRAD).

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Product Development 

• Collaborate with local communities and smallholders to develop products that meet market needs  and promote nature restorative practices. 
• Guide the product development process from idea on, proof of concept to prototyping to market  launch. 
• Build relationships with key market stakeholders and distribution channels to drive sales and ensure  market penetration.
• Business Model and Business Plan Development 
• Support the design and implementaTIon of business models that align with the Wyss Academy's  mission and goals.

Qualifications 

• Graduate (Master’s) degree in business, commerce, social entrepreneurship, environmental entrepreneurship, innovation, ecological economics, or a related field. 
• At least five years’ experience in a similar position. 
• Proven hands-on experience in entrepreneurship principles and practices, particularly in the  sustainability area. 
• Proven and hands-on experience in product and business plan development. 
• Proven understanding of market systems dynamics. 
• Proven experience in commercialization of ideas 
• Excellent networking, engagement and communication skills, with proven ability to build and 
• maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and competencies to work both independently and  collaboratively in a diverse team environment across disciplines, backgrounds and cultures. 
• Willingness to learn and unlearn. 
• Proven proactive problem-solving skills. 
• Proven agile project management and organizational skills. 
• Experience working in Kenya. 
• Fluency in English and Swahili, both wrien and oral