Duties and Responsibilities:
While working within the Urban Domain of the ICFI Kenya Hub, the research assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
Support an in-depth literature review, desk studies and high-level consultations to build a portfolio of digital platforms utilized in informal settlements, their associated (in)equalities, how they aid resilience, whilst highlighting cases, challenges and best practices.
Contribute to developing and deploying suitable methods and tools to empirically study and analyse the usage of digital platforms, nuances of inclusion, and their association with community resilience.
Support data collection in liaison with the project partners e.g., community-based researchers, government departments, and other partner organizations.
Support quantitative and qualitative data analysis, giving an understanding of digitalization in the informal context and its interaction with resilience and (in)equality.
Collaborate with the urban coordinator and project partners in the development of technical outputs from this research including publications journal articles, working papers.
Translate research outcomes into (non-)technical versions and policy briefs that contextualize digitalization and equality in resilient upgrading of informal settlements.
Support the implementation of a resilience-training program for children and youth in Dandora, by being the conduit between the local community-based groups and main project researchers (Training of Trainers program).
Support impact assessment studies of the resilience-training program (co-produced with the local community groups)
Provide updated, well-structured information about the research projects for the ICFI and project partners’ websites, newsletters, blogs and social media channels.
Any other tasks relevant to the project
The Research Assistant will also support the activities of ICFI Kenya in the following ways:
Assist in building and strengthening relevant external networks with state and non-state actors in order to strengthen the community of practice around digitalization, inclusion, youth/child development, and resilience.
Attend and contribute to relevant internal meetings and external meetings
Undertake other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisors
The Team
The researcher will work closely with:
Dr. Elsie Onsongo, Kenya Hub Manager, ICFI
Beatrice Hati, Hub’s urban coordinator, ICFI
Dr. Jan Fransen, Hub’s Urban Expert, IHS, VCC
She/he will also work closely with other local and international researchers from ICFI, the Erasmus initiative Vital Cities and Citizens (VCC), Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) project partners.
Terms of Employment
9 months (March-November 2022)
A competitive remuneration package.
The position provides an opportunity to work and establish networks with globally renowned researchers in the field of urban development, innovation and resilience.
Real career growth opportunity in the area of research and development.
The position provides an equal opportunity for all.
Who are we looking for?
The candidate should possess:
At least a Master’s degree in a relevant field including urban planning, development studies, innovation studies, disaster management, or other relevant social science from an accredited University in Kenya or beyond.
A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in research on urban development, resilience, innovation, and community/social development.
Demonstrable capacity to plan and conduct research independently, with proven capability to conduct fieldwork and training in urban areas
Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative data analysis and using respective software.
Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in conducting research in urban informal settlements.
A record of academic publications and/or policy briefs will be an added advantage
The candidate should also possess the following skills and competences:
Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills with proven ability to support narratives to describe results.
Ability to work under limited supervision to meet deadlines
Strong academic writing and presentation skills
Strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of demands.
To apply, please send the following documentation, all combined in one PDF file, via email to urbanprojects@cfia.network with the subject line ‘Urban Research Assistant 2022’
Apply via :
urbanprojects@cfia.netw
