SENIOR RESEARCHER

Established in 2003 and registered as an NPO in South Africa, The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is a research and advocacy organisation working towards food sovereignty and agroecology in Africa, with a focus on biosafety, seed systems, agricultural biodiversity, agroecology and the intersections between biodiversity, climate change, and food systems. ACB is committed to dismantling inequalities and resisting corporate-industrial expansion in Africa’s food and agriculture systems, and to building alternatives rooted in the agency of African people. ACB’s geographical focus is Southern, West, and East Africa, with extensive continental and global networks.

Based in Johannesburg, The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) seeks to appoint a

SENIOR RESEARCHER

The Senior Researcher must be a self-motivated, independent, and analytical thinker and researcher. The successful candidate will support ACB’s program areas on biodiversity, challenging corporate power in the agrifood system and just transition in the food system. He/she will be expected to support ACB’s work and new strategy within the above-mentioned areas including working with the programmes team on a day-to-day basis.

Key responsibilities for the Senior Researcher will include: 

1. Support ACB’s research work including conducting field and desktop research and critical thinking relating to various policy analyses concerning African countries in East and Southern Africa. 

2. Producing high-quality research reports and related materials for communication, advocacy, and lobbying by the program team. 

3. Participating in and contributing to seminars, workshops, meetings, campaigns, and building networks. 

4. Supporting and contributing to organisational communication and advocacy strategies and activities. 

5. Ability to take direction from the Executive Director and work in solidarity and a respectful manner with the members of the ACB team, respecting the historical work and culture of the organization.

The Senior Researcher must meet the following criteria:

1. Minimum of a Ph.D. or Postdoc degree related to agriculture, food security and nutrition, development studies, or social science and related work experience and on-the-job training. 

2. History of social/environmental activism.

3. A minimum of 8 years of experience in research, advocacy, and policy work around agriculture and food systems, agroecology, seed systems, climate change, agricultural biodiversity, digitalisation including digital sequence information (DSI).

4. Excellent analytical, planning, and organisational skills.

5. Excellent communication (oral and written) skills.

6. Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Fluency in a second UN language (with a preference for Spanish, Portuguese, or French) would be an added advantage. 

7. Good computer skills and familiarity with digital platforms and social media

The successful candidate must be based in Johannesburg with the option to work on a hybrid basis. The initial offer would be for a one-year contract with the possibility of a longer-term extension dependent on performance, team integration, and resource availability.

View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za and email your application by Monday 30^th September 2024 to melissa@actionappointments.co.za