Senior Researcher

About KOKO NetworksKOKO Networks is a venture-backed climate technology company with 1,000+ employees across East Africa, India, and Europe. We offer a fast-paced and highly collaborative work environment with significant opportunities for professional growth. Our core lines of business are: (1) KOKO Fuel, a clean bioethanol cooking solution delivered to over one million households in Kenya and Rwanda via networks of agents with smart fuel ATMs; and (2) KOKO Climate, which retails the emissions reductions earned from switching households from deforestation-based fuels to a sustainable alternative.

In 2021, KOKO was recognized as the world’s leading emerging markets climate technology solution by the Financial Times and the International Finance Corporation. Your RoleThe Senior Researcher, Climate Operations will be a key member of KOKO’s Global Climate team, responsible for leading the design, implementation, and supervision of field research operations for carbon projects in Rwanda. This role is central to ensuring the rigorous planning, execution, and reporting of research studies that underpin the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of carbon emissions reductions from KOKO’s clean cooking systems.

The Senior Researcher will ensure that all field studies are conducted in line with international carbon crediting methodologies, standards, and audit requirements. To guarantee both global consistency and local effectiveness, the role will operate within a dual accountability framework: Primary Reporting Line: Global Climate Operations Manager – for technical oversight, strategic alignment, and delivery of climate research objectivesDotted-line Accountability:

Rwanda Operations Management – for operational alignment, stakeholder engagement, and on-ground execution supportThe role will ensure robust implementation of research activities with support from Rwanda Operations for access, logistics, and risk management, while maintaining scientific rigor, methodological compliance and carbon market alignment under the Global Climate team. What You Will DoResearch Design & MethodologyDevelop a deep understanding of carbon monitoring requirements by reviewing relevant carbon standards, approved methodologies, and sector case studiesDesign and lead baseline fuel use studies, charcoal usage studies, and other research activities required for methodology complianceLead the design and execution of annual project-specific fuel consumption studies (e. g.

, Kitchen Performance Tests), ensuring robust data for verification and issuanceField Operations & ManagementLead and Manage end-to-end workflow for on-ground research studies and reportingWork closely with Rwanda Operations to secure: Access to KOKO Centers, agent networks, and householdsIntroductions and engagement with govt authorities & local stakeholders (e. g.

, REMA, District Offices)Field logistics, enumerator oversight, and payments/finance supportManage study budgets, payment systems, expense tracking, and financial reportingProactively identify and manage field risks and collaborate with Rwanda Operations for swift mitigationRecruit, onboard, and train internal and external field teams and enumerators for data collectionEstablish and oversee quality protocols for sampling design, data collection, and quality controlCoordinate with external auditors for field verifications to demonstrate compliance of MRV requirementsPrepare high-quality analytical reports, field documentation, and research outputsMaintain comprehensive records and documentation of all research activitiesCollaboration & Stakeholder EngagementWork closely with the Rwanda Operations team for implementation and ensure regular reporting to Rwandan Management about the work progressServe as a bridge between Global Climate and Rwanda Operations, fostering open communication, transparent reporting, and joint problem-solvingWhat You Will Bring4+ years of experience in leading and independently managing field research, preferably in environmental, energy access, or carbon credit projectsBachelors Degree or higher in relevant field of applied science & engineeringExpertise in application of statistics for data sampling and analysis to achieve desired confidence interval and precision in the research outcomeStrong project management and stakeholder coordination skillsProficiency in managing budgets, payments, and financial records related to research projectsExcellent written communication and reporting skillsFluency in English and the local language is essentialKnowledge of analytical software and tools is highly desirableUnderstanding of carbon offset methodologies, MRV (Monitoring, Reporting & Verification), and clean cooking impact measurement is highly desirableKOKO is committed to gender and racial diversity in the workplace.

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply!