Postdoc: Climate Variability in Food Systems – Addressing Social Equity

Job Description
The job role is within a 3-year CGIAR-funded project (‘Building Systemic Resilience against Climate Variability and Extremes – ClimBeR) (2022-2024). The project covers six focal countries: Kenya, Zambia, Senegal, Morocco, Guatemala and the Philippines). The focus for the post-doctoral position is on social equity, gender and transformative change in food and agricultural systems within these country contexts. Brief information on the project is here: https://www.cgiar.org/research/publication/initiative-overview-climber-building-systemic-resilience-against-climate-variability-and-extremes/
 
Under the leadership of Professor Eleanor Fisher at the Nordic Africa Institute, and working with project leaders and team members in international institutions, you will be responsible for: 

• Facilitating the integration of a framework on social equity in ClimBeR.
• Working closely with social equity and gender specialists to address social dynamics of vulnerability and resilience building.
• Developing and documenting ‘stories of change’ within ClimBeR (combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies).
• Contributing to the production of academic and policy outputs.
• Working with ClimBeR specialists on policy communication around social equity, with special attention to policy engagement in the African project countries and the Nordic region.

This is a full-time research position for a period of two years. You will be based in Uppsala, Sweden, with periodic short-term travel to selected ClimBeR countries (Kenya, Zambia, Senegal, Morocco, Guatemala, Philippines). You are expected to run your duties independently and you have the freedom to develop your ideas within the overall framework of the project but under the supervision of Professor Fisher.
Requirements

• PhD degree in a social science discipline (e.g. anthropology, development studies, sociology, geography, gender studies) or interdisciplinary with social science focus. This position is primarily targeted at those who have obtained a PhD degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. 
• Good qualitative methodological skills for undertaking field-based empirical social research, with a demonstrated record of conducting research in Africa, Asia and/or Latin America.
• Good social analysis skills with thematic understanding relevant to gender issues, inequality, equity, intersectionality, with ability to demonstrate how these issues relate to rural contexts and agricultural populations. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of scholarly and policy thinking on sustainability transformations / transitions an advantage.
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team-based multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. Advanced knowledge of Kiswahili and/or French an advantage.
• Capacity to travel is essential for undertaking empirical field research and attending international project meetings.

Application
The application should contain:

• Complete CV with a list of scientific publications where it is clearly indicated which publications are peer reviewed.
• List of publications.
• Up to three selected academic publications in electronic form.
• Optional - up to three examples of policy engagement (e.g. policy brief, event, blog).
• Contact information for two references.
• A personal letter in which you justify why you are applying for this position, address how you fit the listed requirements, and state the earliest possible starting date (max. 2 pages).

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date October 1st 2022. Placement: Uppsala. Salary range 35,000 – 37,000 SEK monthly, subject to skills and experience.
About the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)
The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) was founded in 1962 and since then has provided knowledge in the form of high-quality research, timely information and extensive documentation on Africa.  Over a period of half a century, NAI has remained committed to academic and policy research, information dissemination and documentation on African issues. NAI has followed the trends and development of Africa studies in the Nordic region and in African continent, and also actively initiated new ideas and forms of engagement to fulfil its mission as the main center for African knowledge in the Nordic countries and to serve its stakeholders in the Nordic countries and globally.
 
NAI is a Swedish government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (not a university) and research staff combine commitment to high quality scholarly outputs with science-policy outreach to decision makers based in the Nordics and Africa. NAI is currently developing a new institutional strategy for the 2022-2026 period whose mission is to ensure Nordic decision makers and associated change makers have a deeper understanding of modern African perspectives and societal dynamics.
  
NAI offers a stimulating intellectual environment, an interdisciplinary research orientation, a team of researchers from different social and natural scientific backgrounds, a professional communications unit, and a library with modern facilities. In addition, the institute is linked to an extensive network of research institutions in Africa and the Nordic countries.
Contact persons:
Eleanor Fisher, Head of Research (for inquiries about the position); Dan Åkhagen, Human Resources Officer. Trade Union representatives: Johan Sävström (OFR/ST) and Henrik Alfredsson (Saco-S). All can be reached at +46 18 471 52 00 or through nai@nai.uu.se. Please note that due to the fact this is vacation period in Sweden there may be a delay in response to questions.
More information about the institute’s ongoing research activities, grants, library services and publications is available on the Institute’s website: www.nai.uu.se.
How to apply:
Apply through our online recruitment system, link below.
Closing Date for applications: 23 June 2022
The Institute promotes equal opportunities for all, and good representation of African regions. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.