ILRI PhD Graduate Fellowships in Kenya

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a PhD Graduate Fellowship: Adaptation Tracking to develop, test, refine and fully operationalize frameworks and protocols for tracking adaptation and adaptive capacity in diverse East African livestock systems.



Precise systems have not yet been determined but may range from (semi-)intensive dairy to extensive rangeland systems. Ideal candidates should already be conversant with climate change adaptation literature, have experience in developing research methodologies. Knowledge of pastoral livelihoods and ecology is a big plus.


ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock.


It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa.


Political incentives and international obligations – namely the 2016 Paris Agreement – have created a situation where national governments must report progress on adaptation and improvements in adaptive capacity to the IPCC on a regular basis.


However, adaptation and adaptive capacity are notoriously difficult to measure because they are conceptual constructs rather than discrete observable phenomena.


Many conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches have been proposed for analyzing adaptation and adaptive capacity, but none have been widely replicated nor are results from diverse studies readily analyzable.

This creates a political demand for a robust adaptation system, but little scientific support for any existing instruments.

ILRI Program: Sustainable Livestock Systems


Responsibilities of the fellow


  • Use new technologies and innovations to develop frameworks for climate change adaptation tracking
  • Develop, test and finalize adaptation tracking protocols for various East African livestock systems
  • Develop a user manual for final adaptation tracking
    protocols and train relevant governmental partners in their application
  • Data analysis
  • Coordinate stakeholder engagement/participation
  • Make presentations at meetings as may be required


    Requirements for the ideal candidate


  • MSc in social science research methodology; focus on monitoring and evaluation is a plus
  • Knowledge of and experience with climate change mitigation and adaptation is a major advantage
  • Must have strong analytical skills
  • Must have good communication skills
  • Must be a proactive and independent problem solver, and excellent team player.
  • Location: ILRI, Kenya.


    Terms of appointment and stipend:


    ILRI will offer a competitive stipend to cover living expenses in the project location, medical cover, air tickets, and research expenses.

    The successful candidate will be supervised jointly by an ILRI scientist and the university/academic supervisor.

    How to apply:


    Applicants should submit; Cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position; what he/she can bring to the fellowship; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience, certified copies of their certificates.

    Applications should be made to the Director, People and Organizational Development through our recruitment portal on or before 17 August 2018. The position title and reference number SLS/PhD GF/01/2018 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

    For more information and job application details, see; ILRI PhD Graduate Fellowships in Kenya


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