World Agroforestry (ICRAF), in collaboration with CGIAR centers including the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), has announced several exciting career opportunities in Nairobi, Kenya.
The available vacancies span research, legal, scientific, technical, data analysis, remote sensing, and consultancy roles, providing opportunities for professionals at different career stages. These positions support agricultural research, climate resilience, sustainable farming systems, bioeconomy innovation, crop improvement, environmental conservation, and development initiatives across Africa and beyond.
Individuals seeking careers in international agricultural research organizations, environmental sustainability, scientific innovation, and development programs may consider applying for these opportunities.
Below is a detailed overview of all the advertised positions.
1. Research Technician – ICRISAT (Readvertisement)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Research Technician will support laboratory and field-based agricultural research activities under ICRISAT programs. The position contributes to research implementation by ensuring accurate data collection, maintaining research materials, assisting with experiments, and supporting scientists in achieving project objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting laboratory experiments and field trials.
- Collecting, recording, and organizing research data.
- Preparing research materials and equipment.
- Assisting scientists during field evaluations.
- Maintaining laboratory standards and research protocols.
- Managing research samples and inventories.
- Supporting seed handling and crop evaluations.
- Assisting with data quality assurance.
- Preparing research reports and documentation.
- Supporting implementation of project activities.
- Ensuring compliance with safety and laboratory procedures.
- Performing additional research support duties as assigned.
This role is ideal for professionals interested in agricultural research, crop science, laboratory operations, and field experimentation.
2. Regional Legal Counsel – CIMMYT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Regional Legal Counsel provides legal advisory services to support CIMMYT’s operations across the region. The position ensures legal compliance, manages institutional risks, advises leadership, and supports contracts, partnerships, governance, and regulatory matters.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing legal advice to management and project teams.
- Reviewing and drafting commercial agreements.
- Supporting partnership negotiations.
- Managing legal risks across regional operations.
- Advising on employment and labor matters.
- Supporting compliance with international regulations.
- Reviewing procurement and contractual documentation.
- Providing legal support for grants and donor-funded projects.
- Advising on intellectual property matters.
- Supporting institutional governance processes.
- Coordinating with external legal advisors.
- Monitoring legal and regulatory developments affecting organizational operations.
- Developing legal policies and compliance frameworks.
- Supporting dispute resolution where necessary.
The role contributes to strengthening governance, compliance, and legal risk management across regional operations.
3. Associate Scientist – Data Analyst – ICRISAT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Associate Scientist – Data Analyst supports research teams by managing, analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing scientific data generated through agricultural research projects.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing large research datasets.
- Cleaning and validating research data.
- Performing statistical analysis.
- Developing data visualization products.
- Supporting research reporting.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams.
- Producing analytical reports for project implementation.
- Supporting development of research databases.
- Ensuring data quality and integrity.
- Supporting scientific publications.
- Developing analytical workflows.
- Contributing to evidence-based decision making.
- Supporting digital agriculture initiatives.
- Maintaining data management standards.
The position supports research excellence by transforming complex datasets into meaningful scientific insights.
4. Scientist – Bioeconomy
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Scientist – Bioeconomy contributes to research programs focusing on sustainable bioeconomy development, circular agriculture, natural resource management, and environmentally sustainable innovations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting bioeconomy research.
- Designing and implementing research projects.
- Developing innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture.
- Supporting interdisciplinary research initiatives.
- Publishing scientific findings.
- Building partnerships with research institutions.
- Supporting policy engagement activities.
- Developing funding proposals.
- Supervising research activities.
- Supporting knowledge sharing initiatives.
- Monitoring project implementation.
- Conducting stakeholder engagement.
- Supporting capacity-building activities.
- Contributing to organizational research strategy.
The role supports sustainable agricultural transformation through science-driven innovation.
5. Special Call for Applications – Consultants Roster
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
World Agroforestry is inviting applications from qualified professionals interested in joining its consultants roster for future assignments across various technical and operational disciplines.
Consultants may support assignments in:
- Agricultural research.
- Climate change adaptation.
- Environmental management.
- Forestry.
- Agroforestry.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Data analysis.
- Policy development.
- Project management.
- Capacity development.
- Communications.
- Technical advisory services.
- Natural resource management.
- Knowledge management.
Consultants selected for the roster may be engaged on short-term assignments depending on organizational needs and project requirements.
6. Temporary Assistant Seed Lab Technician (Internal Vacancy)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Temporary Assistant Seed Lab Technician supports seed laboratory operations through sample processing, testing, record management, and maintenance of laboratory standards.
Key responsibilities include:
- Receiving and preparing seed samples.
- Conducting seed quality tests.
- Maintaining laboratory records.
- Supporting seed storage activities.
- Assisting with germination testing.
- Preparing laboratory equipment.
- Maintaining laboratory cleanliness.
- Supporting inventory management.
- Recording laboratory observations.
- Assisting researchers with laboratory activities.
- Supporting quality assurance procedures.
- Following laboratory safety standards.
- Performing other assigned laboratory duties.
This vacancy supports seed research and laboratory operations.
7. Crop Science and Remote Sensing Specialist – CIMMYT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Crop Science and Remote Sensing Specialist supports research programs through the application of remote sensing technologies, geospatial analysis, crop monitoring, and digital agriculture solutions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Applying remote sensing technologies in agricultural research.
- Conducting geospatial analysis.
- Supporting crop monitoring activities.
- Developing digital agriculture solutions.
- Managing spatial datasets.
- Supporting precision agriculture initiatives.
- Producing analytical reports.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams.
- Supporting climate-smart agriculture research.
- Developing remote sensing methodologies.
- Supporting scientific publications.
- Training project teams on geospatial tools.
- Supporting project implementation.
- Contributing to research innovation.
The role supports technology-driven agricultural research aimed at improving productivity and sustainability.
8. Research Officer – Scaling and Impact – CIMMYT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Research Officer – Scaling and Impact supports research programs by promoting adoption, scaling, monitoring, and assessment of agricultural innovations across target regions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting implementation of scaling strategies.
- Conducting impact assessments.
- Monitoring adoption of agricultural technologies.
- Supporting project evaluations.
- Collaborating with research partners.
- Collecting and analyzing implementation data.
- Preparing technical reports.
- Supporting stakeholder engagement.
- Developing learning products.
- Supporting knowledge dissemination.
- Monitoring project performance indicators.
- Contributing to evidence generation.
- Supporting capacity-building initiatives.
- Assisting with project coordination activities.
The position contributes to ensuring research innovations generate measurable development outcomes.
Why Consider a Career at World Agroforestry?
World Agroforestry is one of the world’s leading international research organizations dedicated to transforming agriculture, restoring landscapes, improving livelihoods, and addressing climate change through science and innovation. Working within CGIAR research programs provides exposure to multidisciplinary teams, international collaborations, cutting-edge research, and opportunities to contribute to sustainable development across Africa and globally.
The advertised positions cover a wide range of disciplines including:
- Agricultural research
- Crop science
- Bioeconomy
- Data science
- Remote sensing
- Legal services
- Laboratory science
- Research impact
- Consultancy
- Environmental sustainability
These opportunities are suitable for professionals seeking careers in international development, scientific research, sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and innovation.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official World Agroforestry (ICRAF)/CGIAR recruitment portal before the respective application deadlines.
