The Natural Capital Collaborative Program (NatCap), funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and supported by the Environment for Development (EfD) is hosted by the Environmental Policy Research Unit (EPRU)-University of Cape Town, invites applications for a postdoctoral position. This position focuses on developing a research-policy interaction agenda in the areas of forestry and sustainable agriculture across Africa. This opportunity is open to early-career researchers from Africa who aspire to make significant contributions in collaboration with an EfD centre located in an African country.
About the position:
The postdoctoral fellow will lead innovative research and policy-driven initiatives to advance forestry and sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. This position provides a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with an EfD host centre in the region (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, or Uganda), engage with policymakers and stakeholders, and bridge the gap between academic insights and actionable policy. The postdoctoral fellow will be hosted at the Tanzanian EfD-centre, but work closely with the NatCap coordinator (based at EPRU-EfD South Africa) and theme leaders to execute responsibilities.
Research Themes of Focus for the Postdoctoral Fellow
Forestry
Key topics include:
- Forest Restoration and Reforestation Strategies
- Assessing Socioeconomic Impacts of Deforestation and Forest Degradation
- Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience through Forest Management
- Integration of Ecosystem Services into Policy and Decision-Making
Sustainable Agriculture
Key topics include:
- Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) for Food Security and Resilience
- Green Finance for Agrifood SMEs
- Addressing Post-Harvest Losses to Enhance Food Security
- Gender Equality in Agriculture and Resource Access
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct and publish high-quality research aligned with NatCap's objectives.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange between researchers and policymakers.
- Engage actively with other EfD centres and fellows in the NatCap network to foster collaboration and share insights.
- Coordinates and promotes policy engagement activities with the hosted EfD Center and other EfD Centers.
- Identify and actively support the development of funding proposals within the forestry and sustainable agriculture themes under NatCap.
Additional tasks may include:
- Assist in drafting research reports and policy briefs.
- Participate in NatCap theme meetings and working groups on forestry and sustainable agriculture.
- Contribute to public outreach and science communication.
- Organize and participate in seminars and workshops.
Duration and Start Date:
- The fellowship is for an initial period of one year, starting in May 2025, with the possibility of extension for an additional year based on performance and funding availability.
Eligibility:
- A PhD in economics or related field.
- Early-career researcher: Having recently completed a PhD (within the past 5 years).
- African: Be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country.
- Strong quantitative, analytical, and conceptual research skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with fluency in English.
Application Process:
Applicants must submit the following documents to felicity.downes@uct.ac.za by March 15th:
- A cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position.
- A detailed CV.
- A research statement (maximum 2 pages) detailing how your work aligns with NatCap's objectives.
- Contact information for two referees.
The closing date for application is 17:00 South Africa Standard Time (SAST) by March 15th 2025. No late applications will be considered.
For inquiries, please contact Prof. Amin Karimu at amin.karimu@uct.ac.za