ACTS is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of Research Fellow to work in the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security (AFNS) and Climate Resilient Economy (CRE) Programs.

ACTS is a pioneering development research think tank on harnessing applications of science, technology, and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa. ACTS is an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 to pursue policy-oriented research towards strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science and technology for sustainable development.  ACTS envisions a sustainable economic, social, and environmental future for Africa, through science, technology, and innovation. 

 

About AFNS and CRE programs

The successful candidate will work under the AFNS and CRE programs in implementing on-going research projects and support in acquisition of new projects.

The AFNS program’s mission is to contribute towards realising a sustainably food and nutrition-secure Africa. The program’s strategic objective is to support African countries through cutting-edge STI focused policy-relevant research and knowledge brokerage that guides policy choices, targeted investments, and interventions at different levels to accelerate sustainable, inclusive agrifood systems transformation for food and nutrition security.

The CRE’s program mission is to contribute to inclusive, pro poor and thriving climate change resilient economies for economic, social, and environmental sustainability in Africa. The program’s strategic objective is to support the development of enabling capacities, policies, organisations, and institutions for harnessing applications of climate change related sciences, technologies and innovations for energy access and security, water quality and security, biodiversity, and natural resource management in Africa.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Have at least MSc or preferably a PhD in Agricultural related fields such, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agriculture and/or Food Science or closely related fields with interest and application on climate resilience issues.
• At least three years’ experience in agriculture, food and nutrition security, and climate action related research and related policy engagement.
• Strong team building, project management and networking skills.
• Knowledge and experience in the broad spectrum of issues related to climate-change, resilience, agriculture, and food systems.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary disciplines and in multistakeholder partnership projects.
• Excellent written and spoken English. The written skills will be demonstrated by publications record including peer reviewed articles.
• Capacity to speak French or Portuguese will be an added advantage
• Experience with supervising and guiding junior staff.

 

Skills and competences for the position

The position entails undertaking high quality research, contributing to, or leading in the development of major and small grant proposals. It also requires effective dissemination of the research through publications and other innovative forms of knowledge sharing, and engagement with various stakeholders including policy makers and other decision makers.

The suitable candidate will therefore have the following skills and competencies

• Have the capacity to work with both social sciences and natural sciences on agrifood systems related topics including value chains, climate smart agriculture, climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation, and integration of cross-cutting themes especially gender and inclusivity perspectives.
• Demonstrated competence in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Excellent knowledge of data management methods and ability to use various quantitative and qualitative analysis software
• Good knowledge in digital data collection platforms like ODK, CSPro, etc.
• Experience in undertaking fieldwork including supervision of field teams
• Handle and analyse data to provide high quality technical reports, briefs, and publications.
• Good record of scientific publications is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in project proposal development and resource mobilization aspects.
• Excellent oral presentation skills and ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences including policy stakeholders on research findings and generally about our work.

 

How to apply

The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility for renewal based on performance and availability of funding. Interested candidates should send their application and CV along with names of three referees by April 14^th  2022 to the Human Resource Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.