The West African Center for Shea Innovation and Research (WACSIR) in University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana in Collaboration with Kings College London (KCL) and the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) is hiring a graduate Research Associate (RA) to lead the development of an innovative shea parkland carbon and biodiversity credit accreditation, monitoring and management platform to support smallholder farmers in Ghana.

The project is a grant from the UK Innovate project on African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

The West African Center for Shea Innovation and Research (WACSIR) is a center of excellence at UDS located in Tamale, Ghana. Its mandate is to play a leading role in shea research and to promote and support sustainable innovations in the shea sector through evidence-based research and policy advocacy.

GSA has developed a sustainable farming model that introduces shea trees into an integrated farming system with primary crops, organic fertiliser produced from shea mulch and apiculture to increase yields. GSA is seeking to promote uptake of this model among smallholder farmers in Ghana. The project is expected to deliver a novel platform that will enable farmers to monitor their carbon and biodiversity assets and fulfil industry reporting standards.

Project Duration: The project covers a period of two years with an attractive salary package, and the graduate RA is expected to work as a fulltime employee.

Job Description

1. The Graduate Research Associate will work under the supervision of UDS, KCL and GSA to meet the project objectives.
2. Responsible for the development and implementation of the carbon and biodiversity accreditation platform with support from UDS and KCL.
3. Supporting the participation of GSA’s network of farmers in the co-design and implementation of the platform.
4. Responsible for the development of training manuals for farmers.
5. Supporting GSA and UDS in the training of farmers to promote buy-in and uptake.
6. Supporting GSA and UDS to undertake research activities, including data collection, analysis and co-authoring academic publications

Qualifications and Experience

Essential criteria

1. Must have a Master’s or PhD in Natural Resources Management, Agronomy, Agricultural, Environmental or Development Economics, Development Studies or a related field
2. Strong quantitative, qualitative and participatory research skills with a demonstrated capacity to contribute to high-quality publications
3. Demonstrated understanding of gender-related issues in agricultural development 
4. Expressed commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
5. Experience working in agrifood systems in Ghana, though international experience will be considered.

Desirable

1. Knowledge of carbon and/or biodiversity credit markets 
2. Software development skills

Mode of Application

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter outlining their interest in the role and relevant experience and a Curriculum Vitae with names of two academic referees who can attest to their competence.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Chairperson 
Recruitment Center
KCL-UDS-GSA AAKTP 23_24 R3 Project
West African Center for Shea Innovation and Research
Silver Jubilee Building
University for Development Studies
P. O.Box TL1350
Nyankpala Campus
Ghana, Tamale.

Applications should be submitted in softcopy via email on wacsir@uds.edu.gh.

Only shortlisted applicants would be contacted.

Closing Date: 20th April 2024.

You can contact the following +233244520883, +233244510052, +233266000311, +233209998887.