Location: WASCAL Competence Centre in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso
Duration of contract: 3 years (renewable)
Reports to: Executive Director of WASCAL
Deadline: 15 December 2025

The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) is looking for a Director of Research to lead its competence Centre in Burkina Faso and to consolidate its position as Africa’s leading institution for climate change and sustainable energy solutions.

The position is based at the Competence Centre in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Overview of WASCAL

The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) is a West African intergovernmental organization, headquartered in Accra, Ghana with a current membership of 13 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

WASCAL provides comprehensive climate change solutions, through capacity building, research and innovation, climate and environmental services, as well as the promotion of green hydrogen and renewable energy. It currently has 17 graduate programmes run by some selected lead Universities within its member countries. The programmes though centred on climate change cover areas such as education, economics, informatics, marine sciences, agriculture, energy, renewable energy and green hydrogen, mining, forestry, biodiversity, land use, human habitat, water resources, disaster risk management, etc.

WASCAL conducts research through a dedicated centre in Burkina Faso called the Competence Centre and through its 17 graduates’ programmes across the member countries. The research is dedicated to advancing climate science and providing actionable knowledge and services that strengthen climate resilience and promote Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen in West Africa.

The research work at WASCAL is interdisciplinary, integrating climate and environmental sciences with land use systems and nature-based solutions, risk assessment and early warning, conflict and migration dynamics, water resource management, climate-smart agriculture and food security, renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies, climate observation, data science, innovative tools and models. These efforts are complemented by socioeconomic and policy analysis to inform evidence-based decisions for sustainable development and resilience in West Africa. Through this integrated approach, WASCAL strengthens regional research capacity, fosters innovation, and bridges the gap between science, policy, and practice to advance inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable pathways for the region.

Job Summary

• Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Director of Research will make the necessary linkages between the different poles of WASCAL Research Programmes and with external research partners, particularly the national, regional and international research institutions.
• The Director of Research shall also oversee the WASCAL Competence Centre in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. WASCAL is therefore looking for someone who has a strong track-record in the research community – perhaps in a research centre, foundation or academia – and specifically has experience of fundraising, managing and publishing projects in at least one of our areas of expertise.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and coordinate WASCAL’s research program.
• Oversee the Competence Centre’s operations.
• Manage and motivate interdisciplinary scientific teams.

Research & Innovation

• Design, implement, and supervise basic and applied research projects.
• Develop models and tools linking biophysical and socio-economic processes.
• Ensure scientific excellence and adherence to ethical standards.
• Publish and disseminate research findings.

Fundraising & Partnerships

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Acquire research funding from national and international donors.
• Strengthen partnerships with regional and international scientific communities.
• Provide high-level scientific advice to WASCAL’s Executive Director and Governing Board.

Collaboration & Capacity Building

• Collaborate closely with WASCAL’s Graduate Studies Programme.
• Contribute to policy dialogues and knowledge dissemination to academic and public audiences.

Position Summary

The duties and responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

• Managing and coordinating the research groups of the WASCAL from the Competence Centre in all respect and developing strategies to ensure effective achievement of WASCAL vision and scientific objectives;
• Collaborating with the regional and international scientific community for developing and maintaining effective partnerships and to ensuring that WASCAL’s research is well positioned, demand-driven and responsive to current and future adaptation/mitigation challenges.
• Collaborating with WASCAL graduate studies programme
• Writing or editing and approving research proposals to be submitted to partners or donors for fund raising or joint research projects;
• Writing, editing and approving manuscripts for publication;
• Overseeing, monitoring and evaluating research activities and completion of scientific projects;
• Selecting, supervising and evaluating personnel to ensure the efficiency of the research group;
• Overseeing the development and implementation of internal research policies and programs and ensuring the application of scientific ethics, codes, rules, standards and guidelines;
• Mobilise funds to support the activities of WASCAL
• Any other duties that may be assigned

Qualification Required & Experience

Desired Skills and Experience

• A doctoral degree in life science, geosciences or socioeconomics or similar
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in fundraising from national and international donors as well as administrative and financial management of research programs;
• At least 10 years of research experience in a research institution setting with experience in leading interdisciplinary scientific teams, senior research management and coordination of research and development activities;
• A track record of significant scientific achievements
• Ability to manage, motivate and develop staff and to maintain good working relationships with individuals of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal relationships and an ability to approach regional leaders and donors;
• Experience working with development partners
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication in English; proficiency in French will be an advantage.
• Work experience in West-African countries and willingness to travel extensively in the region is of an advantage
• All WASCAL research is externally funded, so the Director of Research must be comfortable with negotiating and then achieving a stretching annual target

Location: Ouagadougou - Burkina-Faso

How To Apply For The Job

Application procedure:

Applications including a covering letter (no more than two pages) with a statement of motivation, and highlighting the candidate’s experience against the criteria listed above (desired skills and experience), and a curriculum vitae including a list a publications, with names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees should be emailed to:

candidature@wascal.org

Please indicate “Director of Research” in the subject line. Prospective candidates must come from any of the 13 member countries of WASCAL.

The successful candidate will be appointed for an initial term of three years starting with a one- year probation. WASCAL offers an attractive remuneration package. WASCAL is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women to apply.

Closing Date: 15 December, 2025

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.