At Rako Research and Communication Centre we strongly believe that search for knowledge and creating the right environment for critical thinking are important elements for any given society. Hence, fostering intellectual capacity is not just a goal for Rako it is what shapes our existence. We are devoted to link research to action through effective communication. Relating theory to practice while mixing empirical research to action-oriented activities becomes vital to foster a more effective and pragmatic societal change. Rako addresses a narrative that has become a common place across the Somali regions whereby research is generally confined to mainly reports, seminars and so now and then journal articles. At Rako we believe significant social change is more likely to be achieved by relating it to activities that foster positive change.
Working with us
- Courses and training
- Masters scholarships
- PhD scholarships
- PostDoc scholarships
1 PhD Scholarship Announcement: “Diaspora Humanitarianism in Complex Crises” (D-Hum), University of Nairobi
Deadline for applications: August 26 2019 at noon (East African Time)
The University of Nairobi (UoN),in collaboration with Rako Research and Communication Centre (RRCC), Hargeisa, Somaliland; Rift Valley Institute (RVI), Nairobi; and the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Copenhagen, Denmark; invite interested and qualified candidates holding a graduate degree in social sciences and/or relevant disciplines to apply for a fully funded PhD position under the Diaspora Humanitarianism in Complex Crises research project.
The research project
D-Hum explores how Somali diaspora groups mobilize, channel and deliver humanitarian assistance to Somalia during complex humanitarian crises. Based on fieldwork in Somalia, Kenya and Europe, the projectwill examine the movements of goods, people and ideas, from crisis-affected areas, hubs for humanitarian agencies and diaspora activities, to settlement countries. Theoretically, the project will develop the concept of humanitarian infrastructures to analyze material forms of transport, communication systems and technologies as well as the institutions and social networks that facilitate the movement of support. D-Hum thereby aims at producing theoretically informed and empirically based research as well as enhancing policy development and collaboration between international humanitarian agencies and diaspora actors.
A short description of the project can be downloaded here. It can also be found at the University of Nairobi’s IDS website here (Project Description) and the Danish Institute for International Studies’ website here (Project Description).
General conditions for the PhD position
- The position is fully funded and comes with an attractive package.
- The successful PhD candidate will be enrolled at the Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi; and a university in Denmark.
- Theduration of the scholarship is four years and starts in January 2020. It includes a research stay in Denmark, possible co-enrollment at a Danish university, and a two-week research stay at RVI.
- The candidate is expected to do about seven months of fieldwork in Somalia, fully participate in D-Hum project activities, and follow IDS and the Danish University PhD school requirements.
Eligibility criteria
- A master’s degree in social sciences or other relevant field.
- Be highly motivated to develop an academic career and to pursue fulltime doctoral studies.
- Be willing to conduct fieldwork in Somalia and preferably possess previous fieldwork experience.
- Ideally have worked with humanitarian and or diaspora issues.
- Possess Somali language skills.
- Be willing to travel and actively participate in the D-Hum project activities.
- Good writing and communication skills.
- Be a constructive and engaged team worker.
Application process
Applicants are invited to develop a concept note that takes departure in one of the following questions, with a focus on Somali diaspora humanitarianism linking Somalia, Kenya and Europe:
- How do goods, ideas and people move or get blocked in diaspora humanitarian infrastructures, how are they governed, and what are their routes, speed, and durations?
- How do different social positions such as clan ties, gender, religion and intergenerational relations affect practices, expectations and experience of diaspora humanitarianism at different sites?
- What are the effects of Somali diaspora humanitarianism and what principles and future visions of humanitarianism guide it? How does it (re)produce or overcome divisions in Somalia?
The concept note should be about 4-5 pages (max 2,000 words, excluding references) and outline a detailed focus for the proposed PhD project. The following details must be included:
- Statement of the research problem and specific research questions
- Theoretical framework
- Selection and description of the proposed study site in Somalia, including the humanitarian situation and diaspora practices
- Methodological approach, including fieldwork considerations
- Practical considerations, including access to the field site and security
- Ethical considerations
- Timeplan
In addition to this concept note, the application should be accompanied by the following documents:
- A detailed CV stating the applicant’s educational and professional history
- Copies of academic certificates and transcripts
- An electronic copy of the applicant’s MA thesis (or other relevant publications)
- Contact details of three references
The application
Deadline for submitting the applications is 26 August 2019 at 12 AM (East African Time). Applications should be sent by email with the subject title ‘D-HumPhD application’ to Professor Karuti Kanyinga (karuti.kanyinga@uonbi.ac.ke), cc Dr Mohamed Aden Hassan (m.a.hassan@rakoresearch.com); Mr Mark Bradbury (mark.bradbury@riftvalley.net); Dr Nauja Kleist (nkl@diis.dk) and Dr Peter Alexander Albrecht (paa@diis.dk). Information on the programme can be obtained from any of the researchers with a copy to all the researchers.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The assessment committee will consist of a panel of D-Hum senior researchers. All candidates will be notified. Interviews with short-listed candidates will take place in the month of September. The final selection will be undertaken by end of September.
D-Hum is funded by the Consultative Research Committee for Development Research (FFU) under Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Danida).
1 Postdoctoral Scholarship announcement: “Somali Diaspora Humanitarianism in Complex Crises” (D-Hum), University of Nairobi
Deadline for applications: August 26 2019 at noon (East African Time)
The University of Nairobi (UoN), in collaboration with Rako Research and Communication Centre (RRCC), Hargeisa, Somaliland; Rift Valley Institute (RVI), Nairobi; and the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Copenhagen, Denmark; invite interested and qualified candidates to apply for a fully funded postdoctoral position. The selected candidate will join the research team on ‘Diaspora Humanitarianism in Complex crisis’(D-Hum) research project.
D-Hum Research Project
Diaspora Humanitarianism in Complex crisis (D-Hum) research project explores how Somali diaspora groups mobilize, channel and deliver humanitarian assistance to Somalia during complex humanitarian crises. Based on fieldwork in Somalia, Kenya and Europe, the study will examine the movements of goods, people and ideas, from crisis-affected areas, hubs for humanitarian agencies and diaspora activities, to settlement countries. Theoretically, the study will develop the concept of humanitarian infrastructures to analyze material forms of transport, communication systems and technologies as well as the institutions and social networks that facilitate the movement of support. D-Hum thereby aims at producing theoretically informed and empirically based research as well as enhancing policy development and collaboration between international humanitarian agencies and diaspora actors.
A short description of the project can be downloaded here. It can also found at the University of Nairobi’s IDS website here (Project Description) and the Danish Institute for International Studies’ website here (Project Description).
Research positions
The successful candidate will be fully funded and enrolled at Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi, and will spend most of his/her time at Rako Research and Communication Centre (RRCC) in Somaliland. The duration of the scholarship is two years and starts in January 2020. It includes one month research stay at Rift Valley Institute (RVI). The candidate is expected to do about five months fieldwork, fully participate in D-Hum project activities, and contribute to academic capacity building in Somaliland. The scholarship can be conducted part-time over three years.
Eligibility criteria
- A PhD degree in the social sciences or other relevant field
- Be highly motivated to further develop an academic career
- Be willing to conduct fieldwork in Somalia and preferably possess previous fieldwork experience
- Ideally have worked with humanitarian and or diaspora issues
- Possess Somali language skills
- Be willing to travel and actively participate in the D-Hum project activities
- Good writing and communication skills
- Be a constructive and engaged team worker
Application process
We invite applications to develop a concept note that takes departure in one of the following questions, with a focus on Somali diaspora humanitarianism linking Somalia, Kenya and Europe:
- How do goods, ideas and people move or get blocked in Somali diaspora humanitarian infrastructures, how are they governed, and what are their routes, speed, and durations?
- How do different social positions such as clan ties, gender, religion and intergenerational relations affect practices, expectations and experience of diaspora humanitarianism at different sites?
- What are the effects of Somali diaspora humanitarianism and what principles and future visions of humanitarianism guide it? How does it (re)produce or overcome divisions in Somalia?
The concept note should be about 4-5 pages (max 2,000 words, excluding references) and outline a detailed focus for the proposed PhD project. The following details must be included:
- Statement of the research problem and specific research questions
- Theoretical framework
- Selection and description of the proposed study site in Somalia, including the humanitarian situation and diaspora practices
- Methodological approach, including fieldwork considerations
- Practical considerations, including access to the field site and security
- Ethical considerations
- Timeplan
In addition to this concept note, the application should be accompanied by the following documents:
- A detailed CV stating the applicant’s educational and professional history
- Copies of academic certificates and transcripts
- An electronic copy of the applicant’s PhD dissertation (or other relevant publications)
- Contact details of three references
How to apply
Deadline for applications is 26 August 2019 at 12 AM (East African Time). Applications should be sent by email with the subject title ‘D-Hum application’ to Professor Karuti Kanyinga (karuti.kanyinga@uonbi.ac.ke) with copy to Dr. Mohamed Aden Hassan (m.a.hassan@rakoresearch.com), Mr. Mark Bradbury (mark.bradbury@riftvalley.net); Dr Nauja Kleist (nkl@diis.dk) and Dr. Peter Alexander Albrecht paa@diis.dk. Questions related to this application may be forwarded to any project team member with a copy to other researchers.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The assessment committee will consist of a panel of D-Hum senior researchers. All candidates will be notified. Interviews with short-listed candidates will take place in September 2019. The final selection will be undertaken by end of September.
Rako is an organization committed to providing high quality research.