The Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems – Southern Africa (SHEFS-SA) consortium is a partnership between institutions in Malawi (MUBAS and LUANAR), South Africa (University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Institute of Natural Resources), Zimbabwe (University of Zimbabwe) and the United Kingdom (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Royal Veterinary College and University of London). The consortium is working to catalyse the transformation of Southern African food systems (focusing on Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe) and communities towards systems and communities that are healthy and resilient to climate risks. We will do this by: 

• undertaking SHEFS transdisciplinary research to shift the understanding of complex climate change (CC) challenges for health, as mediated by food systems, within particular contexts, translated into scalable solutions and policy recommendations with high impact;
• developing a transdisciplinary Community of Practice (CoP), led by the Global South, that contextualises and applies systems thinking within an expanded climate-sensitive SHEFS Framework to improve food security, food safety, nutrition, and health, including mental health; and (iii) developing a Global South-led cohort programme to train emerging scholars and practitioners in transdisciplinary research approaches at the intersection of Climate and Health.

The SHEFS-SA consortium will focus on providing actionable evidence for informed decision-making and identifying and developing practical solutions for CC mitigation and/or adaptation while evaluating in detail how their effects connect to health, including mental health, through food security, food safety and nutrition. The programme deepens our work in South Africa and will expand to include Zimbabwe and Malawi to ensure regional policy impact.

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented postdoctoral candidate to:

• Conduct comprehensive policy reviews/analysis/integration across the WEFEH Nexus;
• Identify gaps, synergies, and opportunities for integration within these sectors;
• Develop actionable recommendations for evidence-based interventions to address pressing global challenges; and
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to translate research into practice.

Qualifications

• A PhD in a related field (e.g., Environmental Science, Public Policy, Engineering, or Social Sciences);
• Strong background in policy analysis, sustainability, and systems thinking;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to synthesise complex information for diverse audiences;
• Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals; and
• Experience with interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement is a plus.

Duration:

This position is tenable for a duration of one year.

How to apply:

Submit your CV, a cover letter outlining your research experience and motivation, and contact details for at least two referees through email to ckasonda@mubas.ac.mw with a copy to arhrm@mubas.ac.mw.