ACTS is seeking outstanding candidate for the position of Postdoc Fellow to work in the Climate Resilient Economy (CRE) Programme for a period of 2 years.

About ACTS

ACTS is a pioneering development research think tank on harnessing applications of science, technology, and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa. ACTS is an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 to pursue policy-oriented research towards strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science and technology for sustainable development. ACTS envisions a sustainable economic, social, and environmental future for Africa, through science, technology, and innovation. The successful candidate will work under the Head of the CRE programme.

About CRE programme

The CRE’s program mission is to contribute to Inclusive, pro poor and thriving climate change resilient economies for economic, social, and environmental sustainability in Africa. The program’s strategic objective is to support the development of enabling capacities, policies, organizations, and institutions for harnessing applications of climate change related sciences, technologies and innovations for energy access and security, water quality and security, biodiversity, and natural resource management in Africa.

About the SDGs Synergies project

This project aims to support inclusive and effective SDG implementation in East Africa by studying how SDG interactions can be better governed across sectors and levels. Governing SDG interactions is challenging, given that resources and responsibilities for different SDGs and SDG targets are fragmented across sectors and levels, resulting in governance gaps. The complexity of SDG interactions means both public and private sector actors risk cherry-picking some SDGs over others, ignoring trade-offs between different goals and missing opportunities for building synergies. When trade-offs are not addressed, progress in one SDG comes at the expense of progress in another SDG. When synergies are ignored, valuable opportunities are lost, and resources wasted. This undermines the effectiveness of the indivisible SDG agenda, which seeks to reach all the goals simultaneously. Addressing trade-offs and building synergies between SDGs requires alignment between development actors and efforts that are driven by different priorities and interests. This project will study alignment mechanisms between public and private actors at different governance levels, with the aim to transform fragmented SDG governance into an inclusive and effective polycentric governance system that allows trade-offs to be addressed and synergies to be built between SDGs.

About the role

This Postdoctoral Fellowship will be hosted by the Climate Resilient Economies Programme, a multifaceted programme with the goal of creating impact in the climate change space through the learning, policy, business, and partnerships hubs. Candidates with relevant proficiency in creating SDG synergies in their areas of proficiency, under the Governing SDG Interactions in East-Africa Project.

Overview of job responsibilities

1. To work together on cross-cutting insights across the cases including literature review and national level analysis/mapping of SDG interactions
2. To support research of PhDs as co-researcher and co-authors in papers by employing their advanced research skills
3. To take a leading role in stakeholder engagement activities with the national consortium partners and the international consortium partners

Qualifications

Required:

• Preferably a Kenyan Citizen.
• A PhD, with a focus on social science or related topic with a focus on governing SDG interactions in the project.
• Inter-disciplinary focus (natural science/social science) is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to write and publish peer-reviewed research articles in international journals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work well in an interdisciplinary research team.
• Experience working with or communicating research findings to policymakers and/or the public.
• Experience collating and analyzing existing quantitative and/or qualitative data (e.g., systematic literature reviews, expert elicitation processes, meta-analysis, text analysis, or other synthesis and analysis of large data sets from diverse existing data sources)
• Proficiency in stakeholder engagement methods (virtual and physical) including multi-criteria mapping (MCM)
• Experience planning or facilitating interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary workshops.
• Experience in advanced research skills
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work with people from different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Proficiency with online collaboration tools, including engagement platforms such as Mural boards, Mentimeter etc.

Application requirements:

• Applicants should submit as a single PDF file:
• An application letter no longer than 2 pages that includes a description of their research interests, a description of their expertise addressing the desired criteria, and suggestions for how they can work towards the project objectives;
• A CV including a publication list;
• Copies of academic transcripts and/or certificates;
• An example of written work; and
• The email addresses of two references who have been directly involved in their PhD and/or previous postdoctoral research.
• Send applications to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with subject line “Governing SDGs Post-Doc Application”.

Closing date: Applications received by 31^st January 2024 are guaranteed to be considered. Applications received thereafter may be considered if the position has not been filled.