The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is a renowned pan-African Centre of excellence dedicated to research for development and capacity building in insect science and its applications. Since its founding in 1970, icipe has focused on alleviating poverty, enhancing food and nutritional security, and improving health outcomes across the tropics. By developing sustainable pest and vector management solutions, icipe addresses some of the most critical challenges facing sub-Saharan Africa.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and operating in over 40 countries, icipe is a global research leader employing over 500 staff and hosting approximately 150 graduate students annually. Its strong partnerships with academic and research institutions worldwide contribute significantly to its cutting-edge innovations.
As part of its mission to advance agroecological transitions within agri-food systems, icipe is seeking to recruit a qualified candidate for the following role:
Position Title: Research Officer I – Regional Multiactor Research Network for East Africa (RMRN-EA) Project
Ref. No.: NRS/656/052025
Location: Duduville Campus, Nairobi, Kenya
Type: Nationally Recruited Position
Contract Duration: Two years, renewable based on need, funding, and performance
Overall Purpose of the Role
The Research Officer I will support icipe, Cirad, and RMRN-EA partners from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in conducting participatory research through Living Labs. The goal is to co-create knowledge and innovations that promote agroecology-based transitions in regional agri-food systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Participatory Design:
Assist in designing participatory approaches for the co-creation of agroecological innovation systems. This includes socio-technical diagnostics, innovation tracking, prototyping, and evaluation. - Innovation Assessment:
Contribute to assessing the socio-economic, gender-related, and cultural aspects of innovation bundles, identifying both drivers and bottlenecks. - Stakeholder Engagement:
Ensure active involvement of local communities, farmers, researchers, and decision-makers in the RMRN-EA Living Labs. - Experiment Coordination:
Organize and coordinate experimental activities and data collection efforts related to innovative agroecological systems in the Living Labs. - Platform Management:
Participate in managing the regional platform for research and training in East Africa (dP Trace). - Knowledge Sharing:
Facilitate knowledge exchange through organizing seminars, workshops, and documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and research findings. - Additional Duties:
Take on other responsibilities as assigned by the supervising Research Scientist.
Reporting
This position reports to the Research Scientist overseeing the RMRN-EA project.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences
- 3–4 years of hands-on experience facilitating or organizing participatory workshops and field trials
- Experience in diagnostic, prototyping, experimentation, and evaluation of innovative agricultural systems
- Strong communication and report-writing skills
Desirable Attributes
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), data analysis tools, and professional email communication
- Skilled in administering both online (e.g., Google Forms, KoboToolBox) and offline (e.g., structured questionnaires) surveys
- Comfortable with using platforms like WhatsApp for stakeholder engagement
- Basic project management and problem-solving skills
Why Join icipe?
icipe is more than a research institution—it is a driver of change in Africa’s food and health systems. Working with icipe offers an opportunity to contribute to transformative science while growing within a multicultural and intellectually stimulating environment.
icipe is committed to gender equity and diversity in its workforce. It is an equal opportunity employer that fosters inclusivity, teamwork, and professional development.
