About the Organisation
The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is a registered NPO based in South Africa and working throughout the African continent. The ACB is committed to dismantling inequalities in the food and agriculture systems in Africa and to promoting agro-ecology and food sovereignty as feasible alternatives.
About the Job
The Senior Research and Advocacy Officer will be expected to support ACB’s programme work and new strategy across these areas, working closely with the programmes team on a day-to-day basis. The role requires someone who can move confidently among research, policy analysis, advocacy, communications, and alliance-building, and translate complex technical and political issues into clear, accessible, and strategic outputs for civil society, policymakers, funders, media, and affected communities.
Key Responsibilities
Leading and supporting ACB’s research work, including field and desktop research, political economy analysis and critical policy analysis relating to food systems, biodiversity, agroecology, biosafety, seed systems, climate change, digitalisation and corporate concentration in African food and agriculture systems.
Producing high-quality research reports, policy briefs, advocacy materials, submissions, media inputs and other written outputs that are analytically strong, accessible, evidence-based and directly useful for advocacy, campaigning, lobbying, public communication and movement-building at national, regional, continental and global levels.
Monitoring and analysing relevant policy, regulatory and corporate developments at national, regional, continental and global levels, identifying strategic entry points for ACB’s advocacy, campaigning and lobbying, and helping to position ACB proactively in key policy and public debates.
Participating in and contributing to seminars, workshops, meetings, campaigns, consultations, policy spaces and networks, including with farmers’ organisations, civil society partners, researchers, policymakers and regional or global allies, and representing ACB’s analysis and positions clearly and confidently where required.
Supporting ACB’s communications and advocacy strategies by helping to translate research into clear messages, campaign materials and public-facing analysis.
Working under the guidance of the Executive Director and in close collaboration with the ACB team, in a manner that respects the organisation’s history, culture, political orientation, collective ways of working and commitment to solidarity.
Requirements
A Ph.D., postdoctoral qualification or equivalent advanced research experience in agriculture, agroecology, biodiversity, environmental justice, development studies, political economy, social sciences, food systems, law and policy, or another relevant field.
At least eight years’ experience in research, advocacy and policy work, preferably in relation to African agriculture and food systems, agroecology, seed and farmer-managed seed systems, agricultural biodiversity, biosafety, climate justice, digitalisation, digital sequence information, corporate concentration or related areas.
Demonstrated ability to produce rigorous, well-referenced and accessible research outputs, including reports, policy briefs, submissions, articles, campaign materials or donor-facing analysis.
Strong understanding of power, inequality and corporate influence in food, agriculture, biodiversity, climate and technology governance, and an ability to analyse these issues from a justice-oriented and public-interest perspective.
Experience working with or alongside civil society organisations, farmer movements, social movements, public-interest networks or advocacy coalitions, preferably in Africa or the global South.
A history of social, environmental, agrarian, feminist, climate, food sovereignty or related activism, or clear evidence of commitment to public-interest advocacy and movement-building.
Excellent analytical, planning and organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple research and advocacy tasks, meet deadlines and maintain attention to detail.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to write for different audiences, including communities, civil society partners, policymakers, funders, media, and academic or technical audiences.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Fluency in a second UN language, especially French, would be an added advantage.
Good computer skills and familiarity with digital platforms, online research tools, collaborative working platforms, and social media.
To apply
To apply, email your application (completed AA bio form, one page motivation letter and updated CV) [all in MS Word format]) by Friday, 28th August 2026 to [email protected]
More Information
- Job City Johannesburg, South Africa
