HERI-Africa
Project Research Chair in Languages Education at Kisii University, Kenya KSU/HERI/JAN/2026
About HERI-Africa Project
The Harnessing Education Research for Impact in Africa (HERI-Africa) is a Pan-African initiative bringing together collaborators from government, universities, and civil society research organizations. HERI-Africa aims to increase the productivity and impact of education research on the continent—from the current 3% to 30% by 2050—and ensure that research meaningfully improves learning outcomes, student transitions, and lifelong opportunities.
Role Overview
Kisii University (KSU), in partnership with HERI-Africa, is establishing a Research Chair in Language Education to lead high-impact research, capacity development, and innovation in Language Education in Kenya and across Africa. The Chair will be based at Kisii University (KSU), with collaboration across the HERI-Africa network which will require occasional travel.
Key Result Areas
The
Research Chair will:
•
Provide
intellectual and scholarly leadership in language education.
•
Lead
multi-country and multi-institutional research programs aligned with
HERI-Africa’s mission.
•
Strengthen
research capacity through mentorship, postgraduate training, and institutional
collaboration.
•
Build
strong networks across universities and other stakeholders.
•
Ensure
research findings are translated into policy and practice to enhance learning
outcomes.
• Participate in resource mobilization efforts to support research in Language education.
Key Responsibilities
I.
Research Leadership and Strategy
Development
•
Develop
and lead a multi-year research agenda focused on Language education.
•
Establish
systems to ensure research quality, ethical compliance, and effective
dissemination.
II. Graduate
Training and Supervision
•
Strengthen
postgraduate training programs at Kisii University.
• Develop a pipeline of early-career scholars through training, workshops, and mentorship.
III.
Collaboration, Partnerships
& Knowledge Mobilization
•
Strengthen
partnerships with universities, government agencies, and research organizations
across Africa.
• Translate research findings into policy briefs, teaching tools, and evidence-based guidance.
IV.
Resource Mobilization &
Grants Management
• Lead and contribute to fundraising efforts for language education research.
Required Qualifications and
Experience
•
Professor
or Associate Professor, or equivalent senior academic rank, in language education
or a related discipline.
•
Strong
publication record in Language education, linguistics and applied linguistics.
•
Demonstrated
ability to attract and manage research grants and funding, including multi-institutional
or collaborative projects.
•
At
least 10 years of experience in language education research, language and
linguistics.
•
Strong
methodological expertise (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
•
Excellent
communication skills with the ability to engage policymakers and practitioners.
• Demonstrated integrity, leadership, and commitment to improving learning outcomes.
How to apply:
1.
Visit Kisii University website; www.kisiiuniversity.ac.ke,
select the Careers and fill in your details as guided; and
2.
Submit your application package including;
The Application Package (soft copy) should reach the undersigned not later than mid-night on Monday, 19 January 2026. (heriafrica.ksuproject@kisiiuniversity.ac.ke)
The
Vice-Chancellor,
Kisii University,
P.O. Box 408-40200,
Kisii,
Kenya.
Note:
i.
Only
qualified and shortlisted applicants will be contacted;
ii.
Successful
candidates will be required to satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of
the Constitution of Kenya 2010;
iii. Persons abled differently are
encouraged to apply; and
iv. Kisii University does not levy any fees for job application
Kisii University is an equal opportunity employer.