The Shamba Centre for Food & Climate is seeking a full-time Climate and Agriculture Scientist. The position is flexible regarding the geographic location of the selected candidate.

The Climate and Agriculture Scientist will co-lead the design and implementation of the sustainable agriculture and nature-based solutions workstream, including advocacy at the international level and policy advice to governments in low- and middle-income countries.

The position requires an in-depth understanding of designs and practices related to sustainable agriculture (such as regenerative agriculture, agro-ecology, agro-forestry and silvopasture).  Moreover, the position also requires a sound understanding of how these systems can address climate change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, the delivery of ecosystem services and increases in small-holder income.

Responsibilities 

Research

• Conduct research on policies and practices related to agriculture and nature-based solutions. The focus will be on the bespoke designs and resulting outcomes on costs of inputs, yield, ecosystem services, climate resilience and farm income.

• Write reports, articles and blogs drawing from research and the ongoing dynamics in agriculture, climate, biodiversity and trade.

• Provide advocacy and advisory services to governments and NGOs in low- and middle-income countries with a specific focus on agriculture in nationally determined contributions (NDC) and national adaptation plans.

  Synthesise data and research findings into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for policy-makers, donor agencies, NGOs, funds and SMEs.

Thought leadership 

• Stay abreast of the ongoing policy, best practices and technological innovations relating to climate change (both mitigation and adaptation), sustainable agriculture, soil health and nature-based solutions. 

• Monitor the evolving global policy agenda on climate change, biodiversity and water.

• Lead stakeholder engagement processes and collaborate across interdisciplinary teams within and outside the Shamba Centre.

• Contribute to the design of projects and programmes on payment for ecosystem services.

• Contribute to fundraising and write funding proposals on innovative policies and market-based solutions to further sustainable agriculture, soil health, nature-based solutions and payment for ecosystem services in low- and middle-income countries. 

Qualifications & work experience  

• Advanced degree in agriculture, climate or environmental sciences.

• Experience in research and providing advisory services using evidence synthesis and systematic reviews related to climate.

• At least 10 years of professional experience in climate and agriculture.

• Excellent writing and analytical skills in English. 

• Strong communication and presentation skills in English.

• The ability to work in French is an advantage.  

Data

• Experience with evidence synthesis and systematic review.

• Experience with using the outcomes of ecosystem models to inform policies and programmes.

• Insight into payments for ecosystem services.

Assessment

Qualified candidates will be evaluated through interviews and written assessments. 

Application 

•  Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a writing sample related to climate and resilient food sytems to oshani@shambacentre.org with the subject line ‘Climate and Agriculture Scientist’.  The post will be open until we find a the right candidate. 

About the Shamba Centre

The Shamba Centre for Food & Climate is a new not-for-profit organisation working to achieve zero hunger sustainably, by disrupting food systems in their entirety. Only then can we empower small farmers and enterprises and transition food value chains towards more income equitable, gender equal, nature positive and low carbon business models. Our core strength is that we use systems thinking to identify the most impactful points to remove barriers and thus trigger system wide change.