Call for applications for the MSc scholarships under the EU-funded Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu Project

Call for applications for the MSc scholarships under the EU-funded Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu Project A call for applications for twenty-One (21) MSc scholarships in marine plastics waste management, marine ecology/biology, coastal forest ecology and GHG related studies. Deadline: 15th October 2025 Background Tanzania’s marine and coastal areas are among the most biodiverse and ecologically significant in the Western Indian Ocean Region. The country boasts mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and productive fisheries, supporting both marine biodiversity and local livelihoods. These ecosystems are vital for coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and sustaining fisheries, which millions of people depend on for food and income. Additionally, marine protected areas (MPAs) and locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) play a key role in conservation efforts, helping to balance biodiversity protection with sustainable use. Despite their importance, these coastal and marine ecosystems face significant challenges. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change threaten biodiversity and ecosystem services. Additionally, climate change-induced threats, such as rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and extreme weather events, further exacerbate environmental pressures. Addressing these challenges requires strong governance, sustainable resource management, and community-led conservation efforts to safeguard these critical ecosystems for future generations. The EU-funded Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu (short form “Bahari Yetu”) Project is designed to support in addressing these challenges through improving governance, sustainable resources management, community led conservation efforts and institutional capacity building to enhance research, monitoring and surveillance of marine and coastal resources. Bahari Yetu project is a 4-year project implemented by IUCN. This project is part of a broader effort, backed by the EU with 110 million euros, aimed at supporting the United Republic of Tanzania through a programme called the Blue Economy for job creation and climate change adaption. The project aims to achieve 4 interlinked outcomes: Improved Institutional capacity for research and monitoring of coastal resources. Improved biodiversity conservation of marine resources. Reduced plastic leakage into the environment, waterways and the ocean. Community-led management of coastal forests strengthened. Call for application The Bahari Yetu project intends to support twenty-one (21) MSc scholarships, hosted by local Universities in Tanzania ( The University of Dar es Salaam, The Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology, The Sokoine University of Agriculture and The State University of Zanzibar ). These scholarships are open to all Tanzanians. Staff from public institutions responsible for management and conservation of marine and coastal environment and resources who are capable and qualified to pursue an MSc programme are highly encouraged to apply. The priority research themes, and distribution of the MSc positions include: Three (3) students with research study focus on marine plastics waste management. The candidate will explore one of the following thematic areas (1) Marine plastic waste management (collection, recycling, and waste-to-energy solutions) and associated Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate emissions from plastic waste disposal and interventions, (2) or field-based research that will include but not limited to: Characterization of riverine transport pathways and fluxes of macroplastic debris, Hydrodynamic modeling of macroplastic dispersion dynamics at fluvial-marine interfaces and/or Quantitative assessment of macroplastic emissions from urban drainage infrastructure Three (3) students with a research study that focuses on marine ecology/biology. The candidate will explore one of the following thematic areas (1) investigate genetic diversity and population connectivity of key marine species (2) evaluate the impact of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) on fish and invertebrate populations (3) develop models for ecosystem-based fisheries management integrating local knowledge and scientific data (4) model potential spread and ecological consequences of invasive species due to climate change or (5) map breeding, feeding and migratory routes of flagship marine species along the WIO region to enhance their conservation. Three (3) students with research studies that focus on coastal forest ecology and Forest Biology. The candidate will focus on (1) undertake forest resources assessments using the latest technologies of remote sensing, Artificial Intelligence, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (2) conduct genetic diversity and population structure of selected endemic and threatened tree species of coastal forest ecosystem of Tanzania. Twelve (12) students with research studies that focus on GHG related studies AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use) - Sector The candidate will explore quantifying methane emissions from livestock under varying diets and management practices (Cattles, goats, Sheep’s etc.): measure enteric emissions across dominant livestock types and feeding practices, and link emissions with productivity levels; developing emission factors for different manure storage systems and assessing GHG emissions from manure treatments like composting or anaerobic digestion. Consider possibilities of including Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate the overall GHG emissions from livestock systems, modelling emission predictions using simulation tools and technologies, and analyzing the economic and policy implications of emission reduction strategies. Energy Sector The candidate will focus on Identifying factors causing biomass non- renewability and refine fraction of Non-Renewable Biomass (fNRB) calculations considering national circumstances growth patterns, climate variability, and wood consumption per capita. Assessing biomass conversion rates (e.g., agriculture, logging) affect biomass renewal and supply chains for charcoal/biomass across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Model demand and supply of biomass energy (i.e. wood from protected areas vs unprotected areas) and provide suggestions for the application of marginality approach under UNFCCC. IPPU (Industrial Processes and Product Use) The candidate will focus on Identifying factors causing biomass non- renewability and refine fraction of Non-Renewable Biomass (fNRB) calculations considering national circumstances growth patterns, climate variability, and wood consumption per capita. Assessing biomass conversion rates (e.g., agriculture, logging) affect biomass renewal and supply chains for charcoal/biomass across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Model demand and supply of biomass energy (i.e. wood from protected areas vs unprotected areas) and provide suggestions for the application of marginality approach under UNFCCC. Waste The candidate will be focusing on generation emission factors and activity data, could explore key areas such as quantifying GHG emissions from landfills, composting, and waste-to-energy systems, while developing emission factors for different waste types using innovative approaches such as sensors, AI, and MRV systems to improve waste flow tracking. Explore Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to compare emissions from landfilling, incineration, recycling, and composting. Develop creative optimal strategies to reduce emissions focusing on circular economy models and policy implications for sustainable waste management solutions. These scholarships will support capacity development for Tanzanians to improve conservation of the marine and coastal environment and carbon monitoring in Tanzania. Simultaneously, the research and development (R&D) agenda will progress through the R&D activities of MSc students. Relevant profiles Eligibility Criteria You hold a relevant BSc degree, preferably with distinction, in a related field MSc 1 (3 positions): Marine plastics waste management (BSc in Environmental Science, BSc in Waste Management, BSc in Marine Science, BSc in Pollution Control, BSc in Environmental Engineering, BSc in Aquatic environmental conservation) or related field. MSc 2 (3 positions): Marine ecology/biology (BSc in Marine Biology, BSc in Marine Science, BSc in Aquatic Ecology, BSc in Oceanography, BSc in Fisheries Science, BSc in Aquaculture, BSc in Aquatic environmental Conservation) or related field MSc 3 (3 positions): Coastal Forest ecology (BSc in Forest Ecology, BSc in Forestry, BSc in Conservation Biology, BSc in Forest Botany, BSc Forest Biology) or related field. MSc 4 (12 positions): GHG related studies (BSc in Climate Change and Environmental Science, BSc in Environmental Science and Management, BSc Agriculture General, BSc Animal Science, BSc in Atmospheric Science, BSc in Environmental Engineering, BSc in Sustainable Development, BSc in Carbon Management, BSc in Wood Technologies and Value Addition, BSc in Bio-processing and Post-Harvest Engineering) or related field. You have relevant experience in the research topic that you apply for (specify this clearly in the application letter) You have excellent analytical skills, and you develop a detailed project proposal (pre-proposal) demonstrating that you have the ability to finish it and produce a fully researchable and competitive proposal. Communication skills You have excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language; and Experience in writing scientific papers (international scientific A1 journals) is strongly appreciated. Offers of the Bahari Yetu project The selected MSc candidates will benefit from: 18-month stipend based on the available project budget in consultation with the respective university's stipend structure and policy. A tuition fee based on the respective university tuition fee structure. MSc funding is conditional on the successful defence of an MSc proposal and subsequent positive annual progress. Funds of up to TZS 8,000,000, all-inclusive to support research studies. The project could also support candidates with modest resources for publications and dissemination of their research papers. Conditions for the scholarships Register as a MSc student at one of the relevant local universities and join the relevant MSc School/Institute Comply with universities approved policies, procedures and practices of the MSc. schools/institutes involved Commit to attending Bahari Yetu project meetings/events and provide presentations/ updates of their research as required. Commit to completing their MSc degree by November 2027. By November 2025, be of the age of 33 years old or below. Selection procedure Process The selection committee will consider only eligible and complete applications. After a pre-selection based on the application files, pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an oral interview/written exam. Tentative calendar 15th Oct 2025 Application deadline 22nd Oct 2025 Pre-selection of the candidates 3rd Nov 2025 Interviews of the pre-selected candidates 17th Nov 2025 Contracting selected candidates 1st Dec 2025 Start the MSc programme Important note IUCN reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. IUCN reserves the right to make no awards at all, to cancel the award if the conditions are not met, and to effect changes to the conditions of the award, if the need arises.

### Application procedure Applicants should submit: Scholarship application letter stating for which MSc research theme you are applying to, your motivation, your relevant experience and research interests, and how these relate to your current responsibilities and how the support will improve your responsibilities in the future: A maximum of 3-page concept note for the selected MSc research topic, excluding annexes and references. A detailed CV including a publication list if any. A copy of all your degrees, diplomas, and relevant certificates. Your most recent academic transcripts of record of your BSc A reference letter of at least two references: people able to assess your academic capacities (e.g. who have been directly involved in your BSc or other research); and For the public servants, you need to present a letter of support from your Head of Institution supporting your participation in the MSc programme, and assurance of study leave in case of successful acquisition of a scholarship. The applications should be sent to [email protected]. The deadline to receive Applications will be on 15th October 2025 at 23:59 EAT #### Please direct any enquiries to the following contact point: Dr Mathias Igulu Chief of Party Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu Program IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) - Tanzania Email: [email protected]