The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) has announced several career opportunities in Nairobi, Kenya. These vacancies provide professionals with an opportunity to contribute to global research and development initiatives focused on agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, climate change, food security, sustainability, and natural resource management.
The advertised positions span legal services, scientific research, data analysis, business operations, research support, consultancy, and bioeconomy. Successful candidates will work alongside multidisciplinary teams supporting international agricultural research programs under organizations such as CIMMYT and ICRISAT.
Below is a summary of the available vacancies.
Available Positions
- Regional Legal Counsel – CIMMYT
- Associate Scientist – Data Analyst – ICRISAT
- Research Officer – Scaling and Impact – CIMMYT
- Crop Science and Remote Sensing Specialist – CIMMYT
- Research Technician – ICRISAT (Readvertisement)
- Scientist – Bioeconomy
- Special Call for Applications – Consultants Roster
- Business Operations Analyst – Africa – CIMMYT
1. Regional Legal Counsel – CIMMYT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Regional Legal Counsel will provide legal guidance and support to CIMMYT’s operations within the region. The position involves advising management on legal matters, ensuring organizational compliance with applicable laws and regulations, supporting contractual negotiations, managing legal risks, and contributing to institutional governance.
The successful candidate will work closely with internal departments and external stakeholders to safeguard organizational interests while supporting research and development activities across multiple countries.
2. Associate Scientist – Data Analyst – ICRISAT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Associate Scientist – Data Analyst will support scientific research through advanced data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of research findings. The position plays an important role in transforming complex datasets into actionable insights that support agricultural and environmental research.
The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams, contribute to data quality assurance, prepare analytical reports, and support evidence-based decision-making within ongoing research programs.
3. Research Officer – Scaling and Impact – CIMMYT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Research Officer will contribute to initiatives aimed at scaling agricultural innovations and measuring their impact across target communities. The position focuses on ensuring that research outputs generate measurable development outcomes.
Responsibilities include supporting implementation activities, monitoring project progress, collecting and analyzing field data, documenting lessons learned, preparing technical reports, and collaborating with project partners to enhance adoption of research innovations.
4. Crop Science and Remote Sensing Specialist – CIMMYT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Crop Science and Remote Sensing Specialist will support agricultural research through the application of remote sensing technologies, spatial analysis, and crop monitoring systems.
The role involves integrating geospatial technologies into research programs, analyzing satellite and field data, supporting crop performance assessments, developing technical reports, and collaborating with scientists to improve agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
5. Research Technician – ICRISAT (Readvertisement)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Research Technician will provide technical support to research activities by assisting with laboratory work, field experiments, sample processing, equipment maintenance, and data collection.
The successful candidate will help ensure research activities are conducted efficiently while maintaining quality standards and supporting project implementation across different research programs.
6. Scientist – Bioeconomy
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Scientist – Bioeconomy will contribute to research initiatives focused on sustainable bioeconomy development, natural resource utilization, and innovative solutions that promote environmental sustainability and economic growth.
The role involves conducting scientific research, developing project proposals, collaborating with international research teams, publishing scientific findings, and supporting evidence-based policy and program development.
7. Special Call for Applications – Consultants Roster
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
CIFOR-ICRAF is inviting experienced professionals to join its consultants roster for future assignments across various technical and operational disciplines.
Consultants may be engaged on short-term or project-specific assignments depending on organizational needs. Opportunities may arise across research, project management, policy development, technical advisory services, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, communications, environmental management, and other specialized areas.
Being included in the consultants roster does not guarantee immediate engagement but allows the organization to identify qualified experts when consultancy opportunities become available.
8. Business Operations Analyst – Africa – CIMMYT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
The Business Operations Analyst will support operational excellence across CIMMYT’s Africa programs through business process improvement, operational planning, performance monitoring, and analytical reporting.
The position involves supporting organizational efficiency by analyzing operational performance, preparing business reports, coordinating operational activities, identifying improvement opportunities, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to strengthen business processes.
The role contributes to effective project delivery, resource utilization, and organizational performance across regional operations.
Areas of Work
These opportunities support work in areas including:
- Agricultural research
- Climate change
- Biodiversity
- Forestry
- Food security
- Sustainability
- Science
- Research services
- Environmental management
- Gender
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Why Consider These Opportunities?
These positions offer professionals an opportunity to contribute to internationally recognized research programs that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, climate resilience, and food security.
The roles provide exposure to multidisciplinary research environments, collaboration with international experts, and participation in projects that influence policy and development across Africa and beyond.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official CIFOR-ICRAF recruitment portal before the respective application deadlines indicated for each vacancy.
