Post doctoral Fellow- Climate and livestock systems

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher to support and advance ILRI’s work on climate-resilient crop-livestock systems. This role will play a central part in developing climate-informed strategies that enhance the sustainability, productivity, and resilience of these integrated systems in the face of climate change. The candidate will work closely with ILRI’s interdisciplinary teams and regional partners to address the critical challenges of climate adaptation in livestock, feed, forage, and crop management.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR Research Centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Background

The primary focus of this position is to translate climate data into actionable insights, agro-advisories, and early warning systems that directly benefit livestock keepers, farmers and agricultural stakeholders across livestock-based farming systems in Tanzania and Madagascar. This includes conducting and disseminating research on feed and forage production, optimizing seasonal planning for crop and livestock integration, and improving resilience against droughts, floods, and temperature extremes. The ideal candidate will leverage advanced climate and crop modelling techniques and have a thorough understanding of agrometeorology and livestock production systems to enhance ILRI’s mandate and ensuring that scientific innovations reach and benefit the communities it serves.

Key responsibilities

The climate and livestock systems PDF will be responsible for the following key duties:

Develop science based derisking strategies that support livestock keepers and pastoralists in Tanzania and Madagascar build resilient livelihood systems:

• Within multi-disciplinary teams, develop and apply model and field based research that enhance the scientific understanding of agricultural and livestock production under variable climates.
• Design, implement and refine agro-advisories that are linked to short, medium and seasonal climate forecasts and disseminated through digital channels that support derisking and adaptation in crop-livestock systems.
• Develop new understanding of feed and forage production that support low emission and resilient farming systems across diverse agroecological zones.
• Using modelling and participatory field approaches, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, develop low emission, integrated crop-livestock systems that support rural livelihoods.

Research dissemination and knowledge sharing

• Write and publish scientific papers in reputable journals, contributing to ILRI’s knowledge base on climate-smart livestock systems.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for conferences, workshops, and training sessions to share research findings and foster the adoption of climate adaptation practices.
• Develop and contribute to communication products that translate research findings into actionable recommendations for improving climate resilience in global south agriculture.

Partnership Building

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to support the implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. 
• Build partnerships to scale resilient crop-livestock systems in Tanzania and Madagascar. 
• Facilitate knowledge exchange to promote climate-smart practices. 

Support project management and funding raising

• Take project leadership responsibilities and support the scientific direction and partnerships that deliver high impact projects.
• Actively contribute to the development of fund raising that supports ILR’s agenda.

Supervision and mentorship

• Co-supervise PhD and MSc students, guiding crop-soil-forage modelling and agrometeorological research methodologies and data analysis.
• Mentor and support research technicians involved in field data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings.

This position requires a proactive, collaborative, and impact-driven individual with the skills to advance ILRI’s climate adaptation and derisking agenda and contribute to resilience-building for communities in Tanzania and Madagascar.

Requirements

• A PhD in agrometeorology, agricultural sciences, or a closely related discipline, with a specialized focus on climate risk management and adaptation in resource poor farming systems.
• Proven ability to design, conduct, and analyze agrometeorological studies that address climate variability and adaptation in crop-livestock and pastoral systems, including the development of seasonal forecasts, agro-advisories, and early warning systems for managing climate risk.
• Track record of writing and publishing scientific papers, as well as preparing and delivering presentations for conferences, workshops, and stakeholder engagements.
• Experience in creating communication products such as research and policy briefs that highlight the implications of climate adaptation research for agricultural resilience and risk management.
• Experience grant and proposal writing, engaging with donors and stakeholders, and mobilizing resources to support ILRI’s agenda.
• Demonstrable experience in collaborating and sharing results with an interdisciplinary research team, encompassing fields such as climate science, livestock nutrition, crop and soil management, socioeconomics, and gender studies.
• Experience in co-supervising students and providing mentorship to research technicians involved in data collection, field studies, and analysis.
• Deep understanding of resource poor, smallholder farming systems in developing countries, particularly within semi-arid and tropical regions, with a focus on climate adaptation and resilience.
• Prior work experience in Africa and a demonstrated understanding of the agricultural and climate contexts in Tanzania and Madagascar.
• Demonstrated experience in data extrapolation through climate modeling, GIS or related methodologies to assess climate impacts on agricultural systems.
• Language skills in Kiswahili and French are considered advantageous, given the focus on Tanzania and Madagascar.

Post location: The position will be based in Based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania but with significant periods in Madagascar.

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 16, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical and other insurances.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Chief, People and Culture Officer through our recruitment portal by clicking on the "Apply Now". On or before 14 February 2025. The position title and reference number: LCE/ 1728/2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer

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