Research Fellow: Water Resource Management - Nairobi County - SEI – Stockholm Environment Institute

Description

Based in Nairobi, SEI Africa hosts a diverse team of multinational experts who combine scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships and influence policy for resilient development. Our work focuses on climate adaptation, mitigation and finance, water and natural resource management, and urban sustainability, supported by cross-cutting research on gender and social equity. SEI Africa currently operates in 16 countries, managing around 20 projects with varying completion periods.

The role
The Research Fellow will lead and support research on water resources management in Africa, with a focus on climate change and hydrological analysis, water allocation and hydrodynamic modelling, ecosystem modelling and capacity-building using SEI's Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool. The role involves developing innovative projects, collaborating across disciplines, mentoring junior researchers, building stakeholder capacity and ensuring research is published in high-quality outlets while influencing decision-making.

Main focus areas:

• Leading the development of an African Water Program to enhance the impact and visibility of SEI Africa's work.
• Playing a central role in fundraising to grow the program's staffing and reputation.
• Expanding the reach of SEI Africa's water work through presentations, publications and engagement with decision-makers and the media.
• Contributing to the management and development of the SEI Africa centre.
• Mentoring and collaborating with program colleagues.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership in climate change, hydrological and ecosystem modelling, and develop model-based decision-support tools.
• Lead WEAP modelling efforts, promote its use among stakeholders and support related capacity development.
• Manage projects, supervise staff, maintain client and partner relationships and deliver high-quality reports.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary teams of researchers and practitioners.
• Conduct policy analysis on applications of water, energy and ecosystem modelling.
• Mentor junior researchers in project management, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop training materials, tutorials and technical documentation.
• Design and carry out field data collection, surveys, workshops and stakeholder consultations.
• Identify funding opportunities, lead proposal development and secure resources from various sources.
• Collaborate with SEI Communications on outreach, teaching, presentations, dialogues and media engagement.
• Contribute to internal office management and administrative tasks.

Who you are:
We are looking for a mid-level researcher with experience managing projects in hydrology, water resources modelling, climate change and resilient ecosystems in Africa. You should bring both strong technical expertise and the skills and qualitative and quantitative research expertise to lead the climate change and water agenda in the region and create an impact on sustainable natural resource use and resilient ecosystems with a positive influence on practices, decisions and policy and SDGs at all levels.

Formal Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• PhD with at least five years' experience in climate change, water resources, energy and ecosystem modelling or related fields (e.g. WEAP, water allocation, flood and drought management, decision-support tools).
• Strong skills in hydro-meteorological data analysis and programming (e.g. R, Python).
• Experience developing training modules and leading capacity building initiatives.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising support roles.
• Strong communication, writing, technical and networking skills
• Established networks of professionals and researchers in relevant fields.
• Excellent fluency in spoken and written English.

Personal skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven capacity in task leadership and/or people management.
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Positive influence on teams and individuals.
• Commitment to SEI's values, including respect, trust and high-quality work.
• Ability to provide and receive feedback constructively.

Our offer
At SEI Africa, we offer a stimulating position in an international environment. You will be part of a leading multinational, multidisciplinary and multilingual team of experts in an organization where the well-being and development of our employees is a high priority. We value diversity and creativity at the core of what we do. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Our ambition is to provide a safe, professional, and creative workspace for all.

Employment at SEI Africa includes:

• Flexible working hours, 37.5-hour work week
• 30 days of vacation
• Monthly pension contribution of 10 % of the base salary
• Monthly housing allowance of 500 USD
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Being part of a world-leading organization that works to bridge science to policy to practice in the fields of the environment and development.

Additional Information
This is a two-year fixed-term employment with possibility of extension depending on funding availability and performance. It is a full-time position with placement at SEI Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya.

We apply a standard three-month probation period. Start date is as soon as possible or by arrangement. The position is open to all applicants and SEI Africa will support the process of obtaining a work or residence permit.

SEI has a hybrid work environment, which allows employees to share their time between the SEI office and in-country home.

SEI is an equal opportunity employer, and we consider all applicants on the basis of qualifications and competencies, regardless of and not limited to race, national origin, religious beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and/or marital status. We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation, and applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How To Apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than
30 September 2025
, 23:59 CEST.

We only accept applications through our recruitment system; please apply online using the button below and submit the following in English:

• Cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience (two-page, maximum)
• Curriculum vitae (three-page, maximum)
• Publication list

Use the button below to submit your application. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.

Questions?
For inquiries about the position, please contact:

Anderson Kehbila, Research Fellow:

For inquiries about the recruitment process, please contact:

My Persson, Recruitment and Competence Specialist: .

About SEI
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles environment and sustainable development challenges.

We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.

Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.

We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners.

Through SEI's HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.