Mullah Jared Experience

October 2020-to date. Chief Research Scientist/Head of Forest Ecology, KEFRI HQTs

Overall responsibility

To manage, coordinate and provide strategic leadership for development and validation of technologies in Forest Ecology. The key sub thematic areas are;

a) Forest rehabilitation and restoration of natural forests and woodlands,

b) Management and conservation of forest biodiversity,

c) Management of invasive species,

d) Sustainable management of forests and woodlands,

e) Wetlands and riparian ecosystem management,

f) Development of technologies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and

g) Development of technologies for soil and water management.

January 2017– October, 2020: Chief Research Scientist/Regional Director, Lake Victoria Basin Eco-Region Research Program and Leader of implementation team, Kenya's Water Tower Protection and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (WaTER) Programme in Mt. Elgon Forest, EU funded up to €1,949,944.70.

Overall Responsibility

Coordination and administration of research and development activities in the region

Specific responsibilities

• To negotiate and sign performance contracts
• To implement the agreed performance targets
• To ensure that other research and dissemination activities are implemented according to work plans
• To promote participatory and multidisciplinary research
• To ensure prudent management of the LVBERP region resources
• To enter into performance contracts with Scientists and other staff
• To facilitate and guide research and development activities in the region
• To submit to Director quarterly reports and annual report on agreed performance indicators
• To guide and prepare scientists and other staff for desired changes in research styles, attitude and research ethics
• To respond to requests by Scientists, Deputy Directors, Senior Deputy Director (Finance and Administration) and Director promptly
• To participate in promotion of linkages with users of research findings and other stakeholders
• To provide advisory services
• Guiding implementation of WaTER Towers project activities in Mt Elgon Forest Ecosystem
• To perform any other duties that may be agreed upon from time to time with Director

April 2014–December 2016. Regional Director, Rift Valley Eco-Region Research Program and Leader of implementation team, Kenya's Water Tower Protection and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (WaTER) Programme in Cherangany Forest, EU funded up to €1,949,944.70.

Overall Responsibility

Coordination and administration of research and development activities in the region and lead investigator in WaTER Towers project implementation in Cherangany Hills Forest.

Specific responsibilities

• To negotiate and sign performance contracts
• To implement the agreed performance targets
• To ensure that other research and dissemination activities are implemented according work plans
• To promote participatory and multidisciplinary research
• To ensure prudent management of the RVERP resources
• To enter into performance contracts with Scientists and other staff
• To facilitate and guide research and development activities in the region
• To submit to SDD/RD quarterly reports and annual report on agreed performance indicators.
• To guide and prepare scientists and other staff for desired changes in research styles, attitude and research ethics
• To respond to requests by Scientists, Deputy Directors, Senior Deputy Director (Finance and Administration) and SDD/RD promptly
• To participate in promotion of linkages with users of research findings and other stakeholders
• To provide advisory services
• Guiding implementation of WaTER Towers project activities in Cherangany Hills Forest
• To perform any other duties that may be agreed upon from time to time with SDD/RD

November 2011–March 2014: Principal Research Scientist in RVERP-Londiani

Duties

a) To implement the performance targets as set out in agreed performance contract

b) To promote the participatory and multidisciplinary research

c) To prepare quarterly and annual reports on agreed performance indicators

d) To participate in promotion of linkages with users of research findings and other stakeholders

e) To provide advisory services

f) To perform any other duties that may be agreed upon from time to time with CD and National Programme Coordinator

Special assignment

I was appointed leader of a team to prepare ‘A forest restoration/rehabilitation guidelines for forest managers and stakeholders in Kenya’. Developing Kenya’s national forestry programme: KEFRI input to the NFP and REDD+. January –June 2013

August 2007–November 2011: Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), P. O Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway. Norwegian state Educational Fund (Lånekassen) Research Fellow

Overall Responsibility

To initiate and conduct ecological research in ecology and natural resources management relating to the Ph.D. research (Forest Ecology)

Specific responsibilities

a) Develop methodologies, literature review, data collection and analysis related to the PhD research (i.e. Disturbance, Regeneration and invasion: Implications for Recovery of Degraded Montane Forests in Kenya), and

b) Dissemination of research results that influence choice of potential restoration species, management of invasive plant species and use of passive restoration options in the management of watershed forests in Kenya.

June 2005- July 2009: Senior Research Scientist and leader of Bridging restoration and multi-functionality in degraded forest landscape of Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean islands (FOREAIM), Work Package II. A four year programme with a total budget of € 2 268 894.

Overall Responsibility

Assessment of forest ecosystem degradation, community structure and species recovery for development of restoration options for Mau forest

Specific responsibilities

• To assess the effects of degradation of forest ecosystems on vegetation structure and composition in Mau Forest
• To examine on-going rehabilitation situations (old natural and planted fallows, existing plantations and secondary forests) and their impacts on vegetation structure and composition
• To assess trends in vegetation growth and biodiversity dynamics during the four year project, synchronic approaches will be used: they will assess tree functional groups, “vital ecosystem attributes” related to vegetation structure (ά diversity, seed banks, perennial and annual plant richness etc.) for perennial and annual plants on plots representative of differing stages of ecosystem redevelopment.
• To establish 40 plots in each site in two stages of vegetation in degrading zones and two states of vegetation in rehabilitating zones.
• To study population dynamics of the most economically promising species, to evaluate their potential to survive and produce wood and non-wood forest products in the regenerating secondary forests.
• To assess vegetation composition and plantation structure to evaluate any catalytic effect of species in plantation in stimulating colonization by other woody species
• Preparation of quarterly and annual work plans, cost estimates and performance reports

July 2001–June 2005: Deputy Centre Director and TIVA Pilot Project Manager, JICA-KEFRI, Social Forestry Extension Model Development Project (SOFEM) 1997-2004 Kitui, Kenya

Duties

• Planning and implementation, of farm forestry in the semi-arid areas
• Developing demonstration plots on dry land farm forestry best practices
• Tracking project progress, writing reports, and presenting findings
• Ensuring project findings are alignment with corporate objectives, project guidelines and dry land farm forestry best practices

June1999–July 2001: Project lead Scientists: A survey of the distribution, impact of local use and regeneration of Hyphaene compressa (doumpalm) in the dry lands of Kenya. SIDA/SARECC funded through RPSUD research GRANT totaling $ 20,000, NMK, Kenya.

Overall Responsibility

To promote and create awareness for sustainable use and conservation of doulpalm as a key resource in the ASALs of Kenya

Specific responsibilities

a) To assess the distribution and ecological status of doumplam in the dry lands of Kenya

b) Based on the results develop effective conservation and management interventions for all stakeholders

September 1996–March 1999: Research Scientist in Charge of Turbo National Research Station and Lead Scientist in implementation of Promotion of Sustainable Forest Management (PSFM) project in Turbo (1993-1998).

Duties

1. Preparation of annual work plans and budgets for the station activities
2. Establish both on station and on farm experimental trials
3. Manage financial, human and physical assets of the station
4. Preparation of timely and accurate quarterly and annual reports for the Project Manager and Director KEFRI.
5. Supervision of station data collection and submission to the Project manager.
6. Participation in all technical committee meetings at KEFRI HQTs

November 1992–July 1996: Research Scientist in Charge of Turkana Regional Research Station.

Duties

1. Preparation of annual work plans and budgets for the station activities
2. Supervise, maintenance of plots and seasonal data collection, data base maintenance and updating
3. Dissemination of research results and influence on choices of tree species for ASALs afforestation and woodland management
4. Manage financial, human and physical assets of the station
5. Preparation of timely and accurate quarterly and annual reports for the Station activities
6. Supervision of station data collection and submission to the Head of ASALs Division.
7. Participation in all technical committee meetings in Turkana District

August 1990–August 1992: Master of Science, Agricultural University of Norway, NORAD Student stipends

Responsibilities

1. Participate in course work and related academic activities in the University
2. Conduct review, develop methodologies, data collection and analyses related to study.
3. To write and submit a thesis for partial fulfillment of the MSc. requirements

February 1888–August 1990: Assistant Research Scientist and in charge of Care-Kenya/KEFRI Agroforestry Demonstration and Research Trials in Western Kenya.

Duties

1. Management of CARE/KEFRI agroforestry trials in Siaya District
2. Supervise application of research treatments, maintenance of plots and seasonal data collection, data base maintenance and updating
3. Dissemination of research results and influence on farm tree planting adoption with emphasis on role of multipurpose tree species in land improvement and income generation
4. To write and submit monthly/annual progress reports (narrative and financial) on funded agroforestry activities

July1987–February 1988: Assistant Research Officer (ARO) in Agroforestry Research and Development at KEFRI Muguga.

Duties

i. Assisting in data collection and analysis on agroforestry trials in Machakos and Siaya

ii. Contribution to establishment of agroforestry research/demonstration plots in the field

iii. To write and submit monthly/quarterly/annual progress reports on all agroforestry activates

4. Perform any other duties assigned by the head of Agroforestry