VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR
TWO RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Procurement Number: NU/ MMU/ PROJECT/2024/0069

Date of First Issue: 19th July, 2024
Position Title: Research Assistant
Number of Position: Two (2)

Location: Sierra Leone River Estuary and Sherbro River Estuary Sierra Leone
Start Date: lst October 2024
End Date: 26th February 2027

Job Type: Research Assistant: 2 Positions: 1. 1 Social Science and 2. 2 Environmental Science
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TWO RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Place of work: Njala University, Bo Campus
PROJECT TITLE:

Co-designing effective Nature-based Solutions in Coastal West Africa
PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Mangroves protect coastal communities from climate change hazards, such as flooding but human activities like cutting trees
for fuel have led to their degradation. Various initiatives, such as restoring degraded areas, reducing wood demand with
improved fish smoking technologies, and diversifying livelihoods have been employed with the aim of protecting and restoring
mangroves. These interventions can have complex downstream effects, like increasing pressure on inland forests, and create
diverse mangrove landscapes with varying effectiveness. This project aims to understand this complexity through an
interdisciplinary approach. We will engage communities to (i) explore their perspectives of interventions to protect mangroves,
ti) study the mangrove socioeconomic and its effects on livelihoods, (ii) investigate how local and catchment-scale factors
influence mangrove success and sustainability and (iv) to co-design future scenarios that will sustainably protect mangroves
and improve livelihoods.

The project is supported by the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Manchester Metropolitan
University (MMU). MMU is the Lead Institution and is collaborating with Njala University as the Co-lead Institution and Reptile
and Amphibian Program Sierra Leone (RAP-SL) as a partner institution. Njala University will oversee most of the
administration and laboratory work of the project whiles all fieldwork, inception meetings, trainings will be implemented by the
Reptile and Amphibian Program Sierra Leone (RAP-SL). This project will be conducted in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and
Nigeria by an international and multidisciplinary consortium led by Njala University. The research assistant can be assigned to
cover activities in Liberia and Guinea if needed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Research Assistant – Social Science (One Position)

BSc in a relevant subject (Biology, Environmental Science, Social Science)
Experience conducting focus group discussions with communities

Experience working with international and interdisciplinary teams, including preparing results for publication, would be
desirable

Research Assistant – Environmental Science (Two Positions)
BSc in a relevant subject (Biology, Environmental Science)
Experience collecting data from mangrove and forest environments

Knowledge of different data collection protocols, such as forest plots and soil sampling
Ability to follow protocols and solve problems in the field

Experience working with international and interdisciplinary teams, including preparing results for publication, would be
desirable

Method of Application:

Interested applicants must attach an up-to-date CV to the covering letter, which should include a summary of the reasons why
you would like to be appointed and the qualifications and experience you will bring to the project, along with one referee. You
an forward your application to hrm@njala.edu.sl and copy registraranjala.edu.sl, OR use the Job Application form to apply.
Please note that the closing date is lst August 2024.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Please send the names, addresses, and contact numbers / email addresses of one
referee.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.