About HERI-Africa Program

The Harnessing Education Research for Impact in Africa (HERI-Africa) is a Pan-African initiative bringing together collaborators from government, universities, and civil society research organizations. HERI-Africa aims to increase the productivity and impact of education research on the continent—from the current 3% to 30% by 2050—and ensure that research meaningfully improves learning outcomes, student transitions, and lifelong opportunities.

Role Overview

The University of Embu (UoEm), in partnership with HERI-Africa, is establishing a Research Chair in Mathematics Education to lead high-impact research, capacity development, and innovation in Foundational Numeracy in Kenya and across Africa. The Chair will be based at the UoEm, with collaboration across the HERI-Africa network which will require occasional travel.

Key Result Areas

The Research Chair will:

• i. Provide intellectual and scholarly leadership in foundational numeracy research.
• ii. Lead multi-country and multi-institutional research programs aligned with HERIAfrica’s mission.
• iii. Strengthen research capacity through mentorship, postgraduate training, and institutional collaboration.
• iv. Build strong networks across universities and other relevant stakeholders.
• v. Ensure research findings are translated into policy and practice to enhance learning outcomes.
• vi. Participate in resource mobilization efforts to support research in mathematics education.

Key Responsibilities

I. Research Leadership & Strategy Development

• Develop and lead a coherent, multi-year research agenda advancing foundational numeracy in Africa.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for complex, multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary research programs, including oversight of partnerships, resources, and delivery.
• Establish systems to ensure research quality, ethical compliance, and effective dissemination of research findings.

II. Graduate Training & Supervision

• Strengthen postgraduate training programs at UoEm.
• Develop a pipeline of early-career scholars through training, workshops, and mentorship.

III. Collaboration, Partnerships & Knowledge Mobilization

• Strengthen partnerships with universities, government agencies, and research organizations across Africa.
• Translate research findings into policy briefs, teaching tools, and evidence-based guidance.

IV. Resource Mobilization & Grants Management

• Lead and contribute to fundraising efforts for mathematics education research.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• i. Professor or Associate Professor, or equivalent senior academic rank, in Mathematics Education or a related discipline.
• ii. Earned PhD in Mathematics Education or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
• iii. Demonstrated track record of supervising graduate students.
• iv. Strong publication record in mathematics education, foundational numeracy, or early-grade learning.
• v. Demonstrated experience leading or co-leading large-scale externally funded research programs
• vi. Demonstrated expertise in foundational numeracy, including early-grade learning, assessment, curriculum, or teacher professional development.
• vii. Evidence of national, regional, or international recognition in mathematics or numeracy education research.
• viii. At least 7 years post-PhD experience in education research, teacher education, or pedagogical innovation.
• ix. Strong methodological expertise (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
• x. Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage policymakers and practitioners.

Note:

• i. Only qualified and shortlisted applicants will be contacted;
• ii. Successful candidates will be required to satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010;
• iii. Persons abled differently are encouraged to apply;
• iv. Previous applicants need not re-apply;
• v. University of Embu does not levy any fees for job application

University of Embu is an equal opportunity employer.

• Provide intellectual and scholarly leadership in foundational numeracy research.
• Lead multi-country and multi-institutional research programs aligned with HERIAfrica’s mission.
• Strengthen research capacity through mentorship, postgraduate training, and institutional collaboration.
• Build strong networks across universities and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure research findings are translated into policy and practice to enhance learning outcomes.
• Participate in resource mobilization efforts to support research in mathematics education.
• Develop and lead a coherent, multi-year research agenda advancing foundational numeracy in Africa.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for complex, multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary research programs, including oversight of partnerships, resources, and delivery.
• Establish systems to ensure research quality, ethical compliance, and effective dissemination of research findings.
• Strengthen postgraduate training programs at UoEm.
• Develop a pipeline of early-career scholars through training, workshops, and mentorship.
• Strengthen partnerships with universities, government agencies, and research organizations across Africa.
• Translate research findings into policy briefs, teaching tools, and evidence-based guidance.
• Lead and contribute to fundraising efforts for mathematics education research.

• Strong methodological expertise (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage policymakers and practitioners.

• Professor or Associate Professor, or equivalent senior academic rank, in Mathematics Education or a related discipline.
• Earned PhD in Mathematics Education or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Demonstrated track record of supervising graduate students.
• Strong publication record in mathematics education, foundational numeracy, or early-grade learning.
• Demonstrated experience leading or co-leading large-scale externally funded research programs
• Demonstrated expertise in foundational numeracy, including early-grade learning, assessment, curriculum, or teacher professional development.
• Evidence of national, regional, or international recognition in mathematics or numeracy education research.
• At least 7 years post-PhD experience in education research, teacher education, or pedagogical innovation.