News

Researcher on DFG (German Research Foundation) Grant on ‘Practices of Legitimation: Chinese Non-State Actors in East Africa’

Deadline: 28th March 2024

The researcher will be working for our project "Practices of Legitimation: Chinese Non-State Actors in East Africa" and will be contracted directly by the University of Bayreuth (PI Professor Jana Hönke) for 4 months in the first instance, May 2024- Aug 2024. The terms of reference will be agreed by the PI, the contracted researcher and the University of Bayreuth.

Likely responsibilities include:

• To attend training on research methods in Nairobi in May 2024.
• To pilot ethnographic and interview research techniques within stipulated communities over a minimum 2-month period in Kenya or Tanzania, (estimated June and July 2024), obtaining consent in accordance with research protocols.
• To collect and store ethnographic and interview data in accordance with protocols.
• To build positive and respectful relationships within such communities, with a view to further extended research periods.
• To flag concerns with research methods, environment, process or any other issue with line manager in a timely and
  sensitive fashion.
• To contribute to early findings and research instrument review, either in writing or in person, by August 2024.

Personal Specification

Essential (all are required to apply)

• A strong undergraduate degree in related subject e.g. (international) politics; (development) anthropology, sociology, development studies (NOT education)
• Some experience of qualitative data collection in Kenya or Tanzania
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, able to build rapport and conduct research in a respectful manner, with utmost professionalism and integrity
• Strong understanding of the principles of ethnographic research
• Kenyan / Tanzanian national
• Fluent in Swahili
• Available for training in Nairobi in May 2024
• Available for fieldwork in selected rural communities for minimum 2 months (estimated June and July 2024)
• Ability to comply with strict ethical protocols as approved by University of Bayreuth and Kenyan / Tanzanian research authorities (NACOSTI and COSTECH) respectively
• Able to supply 2 academic / research references following appointment.

Desirable (not required to apply but advantageous)

• Masters level in a related subject (as above)
• Ethnographic fieldwork experience in rural Kenya or Tanzania
• Familiarity with / interest in debates on Chinese actors in east Africa
• Demonstrably strong written English
• Basic knowledge in Mandarin
• Prior contributor to project outputs such as a report, briefing or academic article
• Available for contract extension (until August 2025)

Interested applicants should send their CV, one-page cover letter and relevant writing sample (maximum 1,000 words) to nicodemus.minde@uni-bayreuth.de by Thursday 28 March 2024.

Click here to download the pdf document.