Intern - CRE Programme at African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)

The intern will be attached to the Blue empowerment project, which aims to contribute to tackling barriers for the empowerment of fisher women in Kenya’s coastal region through adoption of climate-smart integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) of seaweeds and fish for improved livelihoods and climate resilience. It focuses on alleviating climate change and socio-economic challenges since it is a resilient, low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and economically sustainable innovation. Interns will contribute to the implementation of this project by conducting research, supporting technology optimization, and enhancing the investment readiness of community-led initiatives.

Under the general supervision of to the CRE Programme Lead, regular mentorship and guidance provided by senior researchers and project leads, the intern should carry out the following duties:

Business Development

• Conduct market assessments to identify business opportunities and gaps in technology adoption.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to design and implement sustainable business models, particularly for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems.
• Develop proposals and reports for business-related initiatives under the CRE Programme.
• Support the organization of business incubation workshops and value addition training for coastal community groups.

Investment Readiness

• Undertake research and prepare investment readiness assessments for community-based enterprises in the blue economy sector.
• Develop frameworks for aggregation models such as cooperatives to enhance financial inclusion for smallholder groups.
• Facilitate investor engagement, including preparing investment profiles and organizing pitching events.
• Analyze financial viability and propose innovative financing solutions for community-led initiatives.

Technology Optimization

• Assist in the design, testing, and optimization of sustainable IMTA solutions for community use.
• Provide input into the development of technical manuals and training materials on technology usage.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and address technological barriers in resource use efficiency.
• Evaluate the feasibility of scaling technology-based solutions in targeted communities.

Research Dissemination and Social Media Engagement

• Develop content for social media platforms to communicate research findings and project impacts, ensuring clarity and accessibility for diverse audiences.
• Create infographics, blogs, and short videos to highlight project achievements and key lessons learned.
• Support the dissemination of research outputs through ACTS’ website, newsletters, and external networks.
• Assist in organizing webinars, stakeholder forums, and workshops to share findings and engage the public in climate resilience and blue economy topics.
• Track engagement metrics on social media to evaluate and improve the reach and impact of research communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews and field research aligned with the the Blue Empowerment project and CRE Programme's focus areas.
• Collaborate with project teams in developing knowledge products such as policy briefs, technical reports, and blogs.
• Participate in workshops, stakeholder engagements, and capacity-building initiatives organized by ACTS.
• Draft a high-quality master’s thesis based on research activities undertaken during the internship.
• Maintain regular communication with supervisors and provide updates on research progress and outputs.
• Document lessons learned and provide recommendations for scaling successful initiatives.

Deliverables

• Monthly Progress Reports: Summarizing tasks completed, findings, and next steps.
• Market Research Reports: Detailed analysis of business opportunities and challenges.
• Investment Profiles: Comprehensive documentation of community enterprise readiness.
• Technology Optimization Frameworks: Recommendations for improving IMTA and related technologies.
• Research Dissemination Materials: Blogs, infographics, social media posts, and videos communicating key findings and achievements.
• Final Research Thesis: Academic submission reflecting the intern's contributions to the CRE Programme.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Business, Economics, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Technology Studies, or related fields.
• Strong research and analytical skills, particularly in business development and investment readiness.
• Demonstrated understanding of technology optimization and community-based initiatives.
• Excellent communication and report-writing abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools is an added advantage.