Natural Justice is an African non-profit organization specializing in environmental justice. Natural Justice uses the law to support communities participate in decisions that affect their land, culture, and environment. Natural Justice works in a number of African countries, with offices in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal.

Natural Justice has been working with communities, NGOs, and government agencies in Kenya since 2009. Together with our partners, we conduct comprehensive research on environmental and human rights law, use community legal empowerment approaches, including community paralegals, to support communities protect their access to lands, resources, and traditional knowledge, provide legal support and training to project partners, undertake litigation and make submissions on law and policy. To learn more about the work of Natural Justice please refer to www.naturaljustice.org

What are we looking for?

Natural Justice is growing and seeks a full-time Research Coordinator to join its Nairobi hub. The hub works across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The successful candidate will work with a passionate team of staff working across all three workstreams in the hub to conduct evidence-based research in relation to land rights, climate justice, resource rights, human rights touching on indigenous people and local communities.

The research coordinator will: 1) lead research projects, 2) perform program-specific research to assist the legal team, 3) Write reports on research projects and Natural Justice legal activities, and 4) Design and execute monitoring and evaluation projects. We are seeking a candidate that has strong demonstrable experience in both quantitative and qualitative aspects of research. The research coordinator will report to the Kenya Director and collaborate with the different program teams on individual projects. The successful candidate will be based in Nairobi, with regular travel nationally, and occasionally travel internationally.

How to Apply:

Applications should be submitted via email to admin.nbo@naturaljustice.org

with the following subject line: ‘NBO: Research Coordinator’.

Applications must include:

1. A motivation letter that indicates a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about environmental justice; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role;
2. A detailed CV with three contactable references; and
3. Two samples, if possible, of your past written work (for example, articles or research reports).

Please ensure that your application as a whole speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile, and key roles and responsibilities. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 23^rd July 2021.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning, Project Development and Work-Planning

• Work with the Hub Director and Program Managers to further develop, maximize the impact of and expand Natural Justices research outputs in Kenya and East Africa
• Assist in the development of strategy and initiate, plan, implement and manage research projects and activities (including timelines, deliverables and budgeting) in the specific country under the guidance of the Hub Director
• Plan, lead, oversee and, where necessary, carry out the Hubs research projects under the guidance of the Hub Director and in consultation with the respective Program Managers
• Promote and facilitate the research capacity for the team
• Plan and coordinate regular advisory research meetings on cross-cutting program themes

• Research and M + E

• Assist in the conceptualization of, conduct research and write opinions on core program issues, including land rights, climate change, environmental compliance, impacts of major projects and citizens advocacy
• Provide background research for program legal team on different environmental justice projects
• Organize surveys and conduct interviews related to program activities, collect and interpret data on legal compliance from the legal and paralegal teams and, with program teams, generate actionable insights to improve policy, law and their implementation
• Develop and manage excel database of legal compliance
• Collect and conduct qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Develop and apply research methodologies and support program teams on research good practice
• Writing publications, research reports, concept documents, academic papers, organizational reports

• Project and Knowledge Management

• Organize all relevant project activities, including developing project plans, timelines and monitoring and evaluation
• Manage the monitoring and evaluation of the programs in Kenya and East Africa
• Utilize and improve Natural Justice knowledge management system
• Utilize and regularly update program management tools, communications tools and time-keeping tools
• Works with Program Managers and Hub Director in project planning and ensures that pre-established work scope, protocols and research regulatory requirements are followed

• Communications

• Produce information, comments, statements, articles, blogs and reports relevant to the program, including on the Natural Justice website and social media in coordination with the communications officer(s)
• Share research findings with stakeholders and at relevant national and international forums

• Fundraising, Networking and Partnership

• Work with management for reporting on M & E for funding applications and reports
• Assist the Hub Director or Program Heads to identify funding sources
• Assist the Hub Director or Program Heads to prepare grant applications, develop and manage relationship with funders and report to program or project donors
• Carry out stakeholder and partner mapping tasks relevant to Natural Justice programs in Kenya and East Africa
• Identify and interact with relevant researchers or institutes, organizations, or other relevant stakeholders from Government, NGO, private and academics in the region, in consultation with the Hub Director or relevant Program Head
• Attend and represent Natural Justice in conferences and events that are relevant to the respective research

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and experience required:

• At least 5 years experience in empirical research, data analysis and in writing evidence-based reports and advocacy materials with practical recommendations
• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, economics, statistics, mathematics, environmental studies or other relevant social science discipline
• Master’s degree in research, law, political science, economics, environment, climate change and adaptation or other relevant social science discipline
• Experience with conducting primary and/or desktop research and preparing clear and analytical reports (with proof of published work)
• Experience writing applications and reporting to donors
• Program management experience, including budgeting, project planning, contract drafting, monitoring and evaluations
• Strategic thinker and works well in a collective
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proactive approach to work and good self-motivation
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Citizen or permanent resident of Kenya or any other country within the EAC
• Ability to undertake frequent local and international travel