Research scientist

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), in partnership with Wageningen University, is implementing a project on the governance of Sustainable development goals (SDG) interactions. The project aims to support better alignment between development actors and efforts to minimise trade-offs, maximise synergies, and achieve the SDGs in Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya. This project will analyse how cross-level and cross-sector alignment governance mechanisms, including inter-departmental, donorrecipient, inter-donor, and public-private partnerships, can transform a fragmented SDG governance context into an inclusive and effective polycentric governance system. The project also seeks to address trade-offs and build synergies between SDGs by fostering alignments, ensuring a more cohesive and integrated approach to sustainable development. In Uganda, the focus is on water and sanitation (SDG 6) and their interactions with health (SDG 3), energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and food security (SDG 2) in informal settlements and agricultural communities. This integrated approach addresses the interconnections between these critical areas, enhancing overall well-being and sustainability in urban and rural settings.

FOCUS AND NEED
We would like to recruit a Research scientist who will use qualitative methods to:
1. understand the (international) donor-recipient interactions in Uganda and how they shape the governance of the water, energy, food and health nexus (WEFH) at the local level
2. explore synergies and trade-offs in the national governance of the water, energy, food and health nexus, and
3. document donor and recipient recommendations aimed at achieving a water, energy, food and health integration in a polycentric governance system.
This proposed research will supplement the PhD student registered at Wageningen University, exploring the water, energy, food, and health nexus as a system of (poly-centric) governance from household to global levels: the case of informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda. The successful candidate will also work with a post-doctoral researcher exploring advancements and challenges in pursuing sustainable development Goal 6 (SDG 6) in Uganda.

TASKS OF THE RESEARCH SCIENTIST
The tasks of the research scientist will include:
• Design and implement a study as guided by this advert
• Work with the project PI, PhD and post-doc students in organising the stakeholders’ workshops in Uganda
• Support in stakeholder engagement activities at the national level
• Work with the PhD student, post-doc and supervisors to publish one peerreviewed journal paper as leading author and one paper as co-author
• Present findings at international conferences
• Provide technical support to the PhD student during data collection and manuscript writing
• Attend all the project meetings in Uganda
• Participate in the project workshops with partners in Kenya, Ethiopia and the Netherlands

QUALIFICATIONS
Interested candidates should have the following qualifications:
• The prospective candidate should have completed or be on course to finalise a Master’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, or Social Sciences.
• Proven academic record and scientific writing skills
• A previous record of publications on water, sanitation, hygiene, and qualitative methods.
• Previous history as a research grant recipient is an added advantage
• Proficiency in the English language
• A good understanding of water, sanitation and hygiene issues in a local and international development context
• Experience working with MakSPH, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Water and Environment will be an added advantage.

WE OFFER
• An appointment as a research scientist at MakSPH, Uganda
• A monthly stipend for two years
• Research fees to facilitate data collection and analysis
• Travel costs for two workshops within the African region
• An opportunity to work with a network of researchers in European and African Universities.

Application procedure
Applications should consist of the following:
A cover letter explaining your capability and motivation for undertaking the research scientist position (maximum two pages);
A resume, including full higher education and occupational trajectory (maximum three pages);
A concept note on how you would design the research project (maximum 1 page) and
Certified academic certificates and transcripts.
Applications should be sent to;
inassazi@musph.ac.ug  and copied to bas.vanvliet@wur.nl  and rmugambe@musph.ac.ug