Job Purpose

To undertake research, documentation, and community engagement aimed at identifying, analysing, preserving, and protecting traditional knowledge systems and other forms of intangible cultural heritage.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• • Drafting, reviewing, and advising on legislation, policies, and agreements relating to traditional knowledge protection and benefit-sharing.
  • Designing and conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research on traditional knowledge holders and community practices.
  • Developing culturally appropriate research tools, consent frameworks, and community protocols for TK documentation.
  • Collaborating with legal and policy teams to translate anthropological findings into actionable TK protection strategies.
  • Mobilizing and sensitizing communities on the importance and benefits of traditional knowledge documentation and protection.
  • Facilitating community meetings, dialogues, and participatory mapping sessions for TK identification.
  • Coordinating logistical arrangements for researcher field visits, including community entry protocols.
  • Planning and executing field documentation exercises for traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), and genetic resources.
  • Developing and applying standardized documentation tools including interview guides, data entry forms, and digital recording instruments.
  • Recording, transcribing, and translating TK information collected during field visits, interviews, and community workshops.
  • Managing and updating the Division’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) and associated databases.
  • Classifying and documenting materials including audio-visual recordings, photographs, artefacts, and written records.
  • Ensuring all documentation activities comply with Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocols and community-approved access conditions.
  • Producing documentation reports, progress updates, and summaries for divisional
  • Liaising with national archives, museums, universities, and libraries for complementary documentation resources.
  • Performing any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Person Specifications

Academic Qualifications

• • Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Law, Social Anthropology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Development Studies, Public Health, Library and Information Science, Records Management, Archival Studies, Cultural Heritage Management, Management Studies or any related field from a recognized University or Institution.

Work Experience

• • Not Applicable

Key Competences

Technical

• • Research and knowledge management
  • Good public relations and customer focus
  • Knowledge on national and international legal frameworks on traditional knowledge

Behavioral

• • Effective communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Ethics and integrity