About our organization: Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles climate, environment and sustainable development challenges. We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.   Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity. Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all. SEI Africa is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is hosted by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) based in Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya. We invite you to learn more about SEI and World Agroforestry by accessing our websites: www.sei.org and www.worldagroforestry.org

SEI is looking for a: Research Associate – Programmer

The Research Associate – Programmer will play a key technical role in advancing SEI Africa’s climate services work, with a strong focus on climate data systems, analytics, and applications. The position supports the development and operational use of high-quality climate information products, working closely with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), Regional Climate Centers (RCC), and sectoral partners. The role combines data analysis, modeling, research, and capacity development, contributing to both operational systems (e.g., Maprooms, ENACTS datasets and tools) and applied research outputs. The Research Fellow will report to the Energy and Climate Cluster Lead and work closely with the Climate Services Lead and multidisciplinary teams across SEI Africa. The position combines:

• Applied research
• Climate data analysis
• Scientific programming
• Capacity development
• Operational support to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs)

Duties and responsibilities

1. Climate Data Analysis and Systems Development
   Develop, manage, and analyze high-resolution climate datasets (e.g., ENACTS products combining station, satellite, and reanalysis data).
   Conduct statistical and geospatial analysis to support climate monitoring, variability, and change assessments.
   Develop workflows and tools (primarily in Python and R) for data processing, analysis, and visualization.
   Contribute to the development and enhancement of climate data platforms (e.g., Maprooms, APIs, decision-support tools).
2. Capacity Building and Training
   Design and deliver technical training for NMHS and RCC staff and sectoral users.
   Support training-of-trainers approaches to scale climate services uptake.
   Work closely with partners to strengthen institutional capacity in climate data management, analysis, and use.
3. Modeling and Forecasting Applications
   Support numerical modeling efforts, including regional and weather models (e.g., PyCPT, WRF, RegCM).
   Contribute to climate diagnostics, seasonal forecasting, and scenario analysis.
   Apply modeling outputs to sectoral applications (agriculture, water, health, DRM).
4. Research and Knowledge Generation
   Conduct applied research on climate services, climate variability, and climate change impacts.
   Contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed publications.
   Translate climate data into actionable climate information for decision-making.

Requirements

Master’s degree (or bachelor’s with 5-year experience) in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Climate Science, Physics, Mathematics, or related field.

At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably working at NMHSs or climate-related institutions.

Demonstrated experience contributing to research, operational climate services, or technical project implementation.

Strong understanding of:

• Climate data systems and observational networks
• Climate analysis and forecasting processes
• Climate service delivery frameworks.

Education, knowledge and experience

Master’s degree (or bachelor’s with 5-year experience) in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Climate Science, Physics, Mathematics, or related field.

At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably working at NMHSs or climate-related institutions.

Demonstrated experience contributing to research, operational climate services, or technical project implementation.

Strong understanding of:

• Climate data systems and observational networks
• Climate analysis and forecasting processes
• Climate service delivery frameworks.

Terms and conditions

This is a Locally Recruited Position (LRS). CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.

The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.

The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya.

We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates.

• Develop, manage, and analyze high-resolution climate datasets (e.g., ENACTS products combining station, satellite, and reanalysis data).
• Conduct statistical and geospatial analysis to support climate monitoring, variability, and change assessments.
• Develop workflows and tools (primarily in Python and R) for data processing, analysis, and visualization.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of climate data platforms (e.g., Maprooms, APIs, decision-support tools).
• Design and deliver technical training for NMHS and RCC staff and sectoral users.
• Support training-of-trainers approaches to scale climate services uptake.
• Work closely with partners to strengthen institutional capacity in climate data management, analysis, and use.
• Support numerical modeling efforts, including regional and weather models (e.g., PyCPT, WRF, RegCM).
• Contribute to climate diagnostics, seasonal forecasting, and scenario analysis.
• Apply modeling outputs to sectoral applications (agriculture, water, health, DRM).
• Conduct applied research on climate services, climate variability, and climate change impacts.
• Contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Translate climate data into actionable climate information for decision-making.

• Python
• R
• Climate data systems
• Observational networks
• Climate analysis
• Forecasting processes
• Climate service delivery frameworks
• Geospatial analysis
• Data processing
• Data visualization
• Numerical modeling
• Capacity development

• Master’s degree (or bachelor’s with 5-year experience) in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Climate Science, Physics, Mathematics, or related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably working at NMHSs or climate-related institutions.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to research, operational climate services, or technical project implementation.
• Strong understanding of climate data systems and observational networks.
• Strong understanding of climate analysis and forecasting processes.
• Strong understanding of climate service delivery frameworks.