Environmental Justice Research Fellowship
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. We are a close-knit and nurturing
collective that places emphasis on facilitating opportunities for the
professional and personal growth of its members.
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 advice and training to project partners, comment on environmental impact assessments, and make submissions on law and policy. Our projects are carried out in Kenya under three main programmatic streams: affirming community rights, defending community rights, and standing with communities. To learn more about the work of Natural Justice please refer to http://www.naturaljustice.orgWhat does the Environmental Justice Research (EJR) Fellowship
offer?
The EJR Fellowship offers
an exciting opportunity to young, up and coming Kenyan professionals who are
passionate about supporting communities in securing rights to their lands,
resources, and knowledge, by carrying out quality evidence-based research. The
fellows will be introduced to a broad spectrum of issues within environmental
justice and provide hands-on experience and training in research, legal
empowerment, data collection and analysis and advocacy. Over the duration of
the Fellowship, the fellows will have the opportunity to spend time and work
directly with communities, community-based organizations, and community
paralegals.
We are specifically
looking for individuals who can, among other tasks, undertake the following:
- Assist
in developing and applying research methodologies and supporting programme
teams on research good practice.
- Support
in background research and review of literature and other relevant
documents/reports relevant to ongoing research and projects
- Support
in both primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data
collection, analysis and interpretation for ongoing research and projects
in the organization
- Assist
in managing databases for legal compliance.
- Assist
in conducting research and writing opinions on core programme issues.
- Assist
in the implementation of the research, monitoring, evaluation and learning
processes for our programmatic work, Including maintaining and up to date
database on project indicators
- Support
in writing publications, research reports, concept documents, academic
papers, and organizational reports.
- Keep
up to date with relevant research and policy developments.
- Analyze
factors/ problems affecting the achievement of results, recommends
corrective actions, and follows up on recommendations with the local
partners, government entities, and other organizations to expedite
implementation and meet targets.
- Participate
in other relevant duties as may be assigned under the Research, Monitoring
Evaluation and Learning Department
The Fellowship will be for
a period of up to 11 months, full time. A modest salary will be offered. The
successful applicants will be required to begin by November 2022.
Selection Criteria
Qualifications and Personal Profile:
- A
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Economics, Statistics,
Mathematics, Environmental Studies, or related discipline.
- Skills
in empirical research, data collection, analysis and in writing
evidence-based reports and advocacy materials with practical
recommendations.
- Ability
to engage in both primary and secondary research.
- Excellent
writing skills with the ability to critically analyze and present research
findings in a concise manner.
- A
passion for learning and a commitment to environmental justice.
- Ability
to work productively and to meet deadlines.
- Reliability
and attention to detail.
- Ability
to work both independently and as a team member.
- A
willingness to travel on a regular basis on short notice and sometimes for
extended periods.
- An
awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from
diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
- A
commitment to continuous learning and to self-development with a focus on
professionally promoting organizational interests, objectives, and values.
- Fluency
in English and Kiswahili.
- Kenyan
citizen or authorized to work in Kenya
How to Apply
Applications should be
submitted via email to admin.nbo@naturaljustice.org with ‘EJ
Research Fellowship’ as the subject line.
Applications must include:
- A
cover letter that indicates a) why you believe environmental justice
research is important in Kenya, and b) why you are interested in the EJ
Research Fellowship.
- A
detailed CV with the names and contact of three references: and
- One
sample of your written work, no longer than ten (10) pages (for example,
articles or research reports) written by you (I.e., not jointly written or
edited by other people).
Please ensure that your
application speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile
and key roles and responsibilities. Please do not apply if you do not meet the
required experience
Applications Deadline
All applications are to be
sent on or before Tuesday 6th September
2022.
Only shortlisted
applicants will be contacted.