Research Assistant
Kiambu, Kenya
About Us
CIFOR & ICRAF in action
Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. It is the shared operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), two independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers working together through a common strategy, governance and leadership structure.
CIFOR and ICRAF bring together decades of scientific leadership in forests, trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems and livelihoods. CIFOR, headquartered in Bogor, Indonesia, advances research on forests and landscape management to inform policies and practices that improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity. ICRAF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment, generating knowledge that helps governments, development partners and farmers make farming and livelihoods more sustainable.
Overview
The main aim of this position is to support the implementation of Clean Cooking and Agroforestry project in Kiambu County.
Job Description
Stakeholder & Community Engagement
- Build and maintain trust-based relationships with community members, local leaders, and project participants.
- Support community mobilisation and sensitisation around project objectives and activities.
- Facilitate community meetings, focus group discussions, and participatory workshops, ensuring inclusive participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups.
- Liaise with local government, extension services, and NGOs to coordinate field activities and build local partnerships.
- Act as a key point of contact between the project team and field communities, ensuring feedback is captured and reported
Research Support & Data Collection:
- Coordinate data collection in field sites, including household surveys, interviews, and observational assessments on cooking energy use, dietary practices, and agroforestry.
- Ensure data quality and adherence to ethical protocols throughout all data collection.
- Support data entry, cleaning, and basic analysis, and contribute to field reports and research outputs.
- Maintain accurate and organized field records and documentation.
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Intervention activities (Implementation & Monitoring)
- Support the planning and coordination of field activities, including training sessions, demonstration plots, and cooking energy trials.
- Conduct regular monitoring and recording of indoor air pollutants in selected kitchens across participating households in Kiambu County, specifically measuring Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, Particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels, Black carbon.
- Operate, calibrate, maintain and ensure safety of the air quality monitoring equipment and computers as per project protocol.
- Monitor field activities against workplans and report on progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
Education, Experience and Technical skills
•A bachelor’s degree in forestry, Management of Agroecosystems and Environment (MAE), Environmental science, Natural resource management or a related field. •At least 5 years of experience in field-based research or project implementation, preferably in food systems, agroforestry, or energy access contexts •Experience in primary data collection using both qualitative and quantitative methods. •Familiarity with mobile data collection tools (e.g. KoBoToolbox, ODK) •Strong community engagement and facilitation skills •Ability to work independently in the field, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines
Personal Attributes and Competencies
•Experience in delivering capacity building and in facilitation/chairing/notetaking for meetings/workshops. •Demonstrable experience of project management, including project reporting. •Experience of working with different partners on local or national development projects
Terms and conditions
•This is a Locally Recruited Position (LRS). CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience. •The initial appointment will be for two (2) years, with a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources. •The position is based in Kiambu County and the candidate will be expected to work closely with Kiambu County Officials and project partners during implementation
