About ARIN
The Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) is a leading research and impact platform, bringing together more than 200 researchers and policymakers with national focal points in 36 African countries. ARIN’s network spans over 3,000 stakeholders from universities, think tanks, the private sector, and governments. Our mission is to promote research excellence and bridge the science–policy–practice divide by supporting evidence-informed decision-making across Africa. We draw on Africa’s wealth of research, innovation, and policy practice to shape transformative climate action, foster knowledge translation, and strengthen accountability in climate and development processes.
One of ARIN’s flagship initiatives is the Locally Led Adaptation Metrics for Africa (LAMA) Project, which develops robust, context-specific metrics to track climate adaptation from the ground up. LAMA ensures that local knowledge, voices, and priorities shape adaptation measurement frameworks. By linking community-level actions to national and global reporting, the project addresses evidence gaps, enhances decision-making, and supports more effective allocation of climate finance. A key innovation of LAMA is the LAMA Dashboard, a tool for real-time monitoring, learning, and synthesis of adaptation outcomes to scale inclusive, data-driven adaptation solutions across Africa.
Job Summary
ARIN is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Climate Adaptation to provide strategic and technical leadership within the LAMA Project. The Fellow will lead high-quality research, drive innovation in adaptation metrics, strengthen policy engagement, and support capacity-building initiatives across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
1. Synthesis and Knowledge Integration
- Develop and refine synthesis indicators emerging from the LAMA project and STEP Change initiatives, in collaboration with the BAOBAB synthesis program.
- Coordinate a synthesis team comprising members from ARIN and STEP Change projects to generate outputs that inform Africa’s priorities and global processes such as the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and the Africa State of Adaptation.
- Undertake preliminary synthesis of existing documents, datasets, and reports from LAMA, STEP Change, and related African adaptation initiatives.
- Ensure gender, social inclusion, and equity considerations are embedded in the synthesis outputs.
- Convene and facilitate monthly synthesis meetings, ensuring structured progress review and feedback.
- Organize in-person synthesis meetings (2025 and 2026) with project partners and experts to review and finalize synthesis papers.
- Engage directly with external knowledge users (e.g., GGA expert group members) for technical review, critique, and alignment with global policy frameworks.
- Deliver a rapid synthesis ahead of COP 30, including contributions to online workshops and presentation of preliminary findings to global expert groups.
2. Coordination of STEP Change Metrics Working Group
- Coordinate STEP Change projects collaborating under the metrics working group, ensuring active engagement, knowledge sharing, and learning across initiatives.
- Facilitate the contribution of adaptation indicators and experiential data from projects to the shared synthesis platform.
- Use the LAMA Platform to share experiences with different metrics working groups to track planning, implementation and outcomes of the LLA.
- Support integration of shared indicators into local and national adaptation planning and monitoring frameworks.
- Promote practical application of synthesized indicators in local adaptation planning and decision-making processes.
3. Consultative Webinars and Event Engagement
- Plan and manage webinars in preparation for COP 30, ensuring participation from diverse stakeholders and actionable knowledge exchange.
- Represent the synthesis and metrics work at relevant international events (e.g., SBSTA sessions, COP processes), contributing technical insights and disseminating key findings.
Key Qualifications and Skills
- PhD (awarded within the last 5 years) in Climate Change, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in climate research, project implementation, or adaptation-related work (including during PhD/Postdoc).
- Strong expertise in climate adaptation, resilience, and/or monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL).
- Familiarity with international, regional, and national climate policy processes (e.g., UNFCCC, COP, Kenya Climate Change Act 2016, Paris Agreement, SDGs).
- Proven publication record in peer-reviewed journals and policy outlets.
- Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative methods, including statistical/data visualization tools (R, Python, Stata).
- Demonstrated ability to work with local communities, governments, and multi-stakeholder processes across Africa.
- Strong analytical, communication, and writing skills, with the ability to translate evidence into actionable policy recommendations.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit a single PDF file containing:
- Cover letter (max 1 page) outlining experience, expertise, and motivation.
- Curriculum Vitae (max 4 pages).
- Academic transcripts and/or certificates.
- List of publications.
- Contact details of two referees.
Email applications to: hr@arin-africa.org
Subject line: Postdoctoral Fellow: Climate Adaptation
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Why Join ARIN?
ARIN offers a vibrant, multicultural, and collegial research environment, with competitive compensation and benefits. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourage applications from qualified individuals across Africa and beyond.
