Vacancy: Researcher – Land–Ocean Nexus Programme 0.35 FTE TNI is looking for a Researcher to conduct Participatory Action Research
The Transnational Institute (TNI) is hiring a Researcher to conduct Participatory Action Research (PAR) as part of its Land–Ocean Nexus programme.
The work centres on supporting the political formation of fisher organisations and allied movements, enabling them to advocate for themselves and to address climate and environmental challenges. The research will be conducted in collaboration with Masifundise (South Africa) and the TNI Myanmar team.
The position involves planning and implementing Participatory Action Research, providing political education to partners in the two countries, and producing popular education materials and other publications.
The researcher will be part of a TNI team working across land and ocean issues.
Vacancy by
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Practical information
Location: Office-based, hybrid or remote (with regular visits to TNI offices)
Start date: 1 March 2026
Duration: 10 months (until 31 December 2026)
Workload: Approximately 65 days (around 0.35 FTE over 10 months; this is an estimate and may be adjusted)
The researcher will be supported by: Carsten Pedersen and Katie Sandwell.
Application process
Please send your application letter and CV by email to: r.lala@tni.org and j.kerseboom@tni.org
Please include in the subject line: Application – Researcher (Land–Ocean Nexus Programme)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
For further information about the position, please contact: c.pedersen@tni.org or c.sandwell@tni.org
Summary of the work
The work centres on participatory processes and knowledge empowerment, supporting partners to strengthen leadership capacity and broaden the base of their movements.
A central component of the work will be further developing and documenting what agroecology means for fishing communities in South Africa and Myanmar.
Another key element involves exposing systemic challenges. This includes producing knowledge on marine corporate actors and their strategies in order to equip fisher organisations — including partners in Myanmar and South Africa — to resist market-based solutions and aquaculture expansion.
The research also aims to strengthen both popular and academic understanding of the relevance and importance of agroecology in fishing.
The expected outputs include:
- Two reports on agroecological practices in South Africa;
- One ground-breaking report situating agroecology within a global context.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to undertake the following:
- Kick-off workshop with all project partners:
Understanding PAR; reviewing and refining the methodology; preparing the first round of PAR. - First round of research (immediately following the kick-off workshop):
Implementation of PAR; documentation of activities (written, photographic, audio and/or video); internal reports for each site visit; drafting reports for publication. - Mid-term workshop:
Reviewing methodology, internal reports and draft publications; preparing interventions for international events (including the UN Committee on Fisheries and World Forum of Fisher Peoples meetings). - Second round of research (following the mid-term workshop):
Building on learning from the first round. - Participation in international processes:
Including the UN Committee on Fisheries (September 2026) and World Forum of Fisher Peoples meetings; sharing lessons from PAR in South Africa; dissemination of reports and related materials. - Participation in the National Strategic Forum in South Africa:
A policy and advocacy forum organised by Masifundise, involving governmental representatives, Coastal Links members and project partners. - Two political education sessions with project partners in Myanmar and South Africa (linked to field visits).
- Finalising a primer on conservation addressing both land and ocean conservation, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
- Producing additional articles based on PAR in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
- Compiling reports to funders and maintaining strong relationships with them.
- Developing follow-up funding applications.
Requirements
The candidate should demonstrate experience and expertise in most of the following:
- Proven experience in Participatory Action Research.
- Expertise in Political Economy/Ecology and Marxian Feminism.
- Experience working with social movements.
- Experience working with movements in Myanmar and South Africa.
- Experience engaging with global social movements.
- Experience working with the World Forum of Fisher Peoples and the International Planning Committee on Food Sovereignty (IPC) is an advantage.
- Strong writing skills for both popular education materials and academic publications.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
- Knowledge of, or prior experience working with, TNI.
- Language skills: fluency in English; additional languages (Portuguese, Spanish and/or French) are an advantage.
About TNI
Our vision is of an equitable, democratic and peaceful world in which all life may flourish.
Our mission is to serve as a knowledge resource for progressive social movements.
TNI is a values-driven and inclusive organisation that provides a collaborative space in which we practise and promote social justice, valuing one another as human and intellectual beings who operate with integrity and respect.
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