Background

Future Earth is a network of scientists, researchers, and innovators designed to provide the knowledge needed to support transformations towards sustainability. Its global constellation of Secretariat Hubs, Global Research Networks, and the broader Future Earth community work to facilitate research and innovation, build and mobilize networks and shape the narrative on global sustainability science, turning knowledge into action. Future Earth structure represents Governing Council, an Assembly a well distributed network of nine Global Secretariat Hubs located in Africa, Canada, China, France, Japan, South Asia (Indian Institute of Science), Sweden, Taipei and USA. The Secretariat facilitates the day-to-day operation of Future Earth and aids in knowledge advancement through its various science communication products that are presented as policy briefs to head of states at various international forums. 

The Future Earth Community in South Asia comprises of a South Asia Regional Office, Future Earth Global Secretariat Hub South Asia which was announced in September 2021 and a National Committee. The Future Earth South Asia Regional Office and Hub is hosted by Divecha Centre for Climate Change and located at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The South Asia Office and the Global Hub engages with stakeholders from SAARC countries, Myanmar, and the two Indian Ocean Island Countries of Mauritius and Maldives. 

The South Asia Regional Office has initiated a Knowledge to Action Program on Food Security and Malnutrition (Fo), Health Sensitization (H), Coastal Risk and Resilience (Co) and Sustainable Communities (S) known as FoHCoS. This Science-Society-Policy engagement Program is designed to mobilize sustainable scientists and policy makers, business and leaders from society to bring about collaborative solutions to address food insecurity and malnutrition; risks to coastal communities and ecology; regional planning and associated health risks in South Asia.  The South Asia FoHCoS program focuses on the 2030 SDG targets, the Paris Agreement’s 2 degree C Climate Targets and integrates the concept of a circular economy within the planetary boundary framework. The Hub, as preparation for the initiative to accelerate change, aims to develop a ‘South Asia Call for Action 2024’ through the regional FoHCoS Science – Policy Outreach program and is opening positions for passionate and self-motivated applicants.

About the position:

Science Policy Analyst: Food Security and Malnutrition (Project Scientist – III)

Emoluments:

• Rs.78,000 + HRA. (Increment of 5% for every 2 years of experience subject to performance review).

Essential Qualification:

• Doctoral Degree in Science or Master’s Degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized University or equivalent
• Seven years’ experience in Research and/or Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services.

Professional level:

• Early Career

Desirable:

• Candidates with experience in creating sustainable solution pathways and develop and disseminate policy briefs, conduct events and activities targeted towards strengthening science-society-policy interface and develop policy pathways to bring about economic and social changes through effective policy recommendations. Doctoral Degree with extensive domain experience. Agricultural Economist or Researcher with experience in the field of Agriculture, South Asia Economics, Food Consumption and Production, Food Technology, Food Security, Agriculture Policy and Climate Change in South Asia Region. Experience with Stakeholder Communities and International Organizations in the field of Environment, Climate Change, Sustainability, Economics, Science/Social Science and Policy linkages.

Job Responsibilities:

• 50% Research, analysis and policy brief;
• 25% Organizing events and Science-Policy outreach activities;
• 25% Global secretariat tasks
• Role of the selected candidate will be as “Science Policy Analyst: Food Security and Malnutrition”.

Detailed Job Description: Create sustainable solution pathways and develop and disseminate policy briefs, conduct activities targeted towards strengthening science-society-policy interface and develop policy pathways to bring about economic and social changes through effective policy recommendations to tackle malnutrition, food security under changing climate and create solutions for seed sovereignty for food security and livelihood improvement for farmers.

• Lead the Food Security and Malnutrition sub-theme under the South Asia’s Food Security and Malnutrition (Fo), Health Sensitization (H), Coastal Risk and Resilience (Co) and Sustainable Communities (S) FoHCoS program. 
• Develop sustainable pathways and science-policy briefs as recommendations to help tackle hunger and malnutrition in South Asia.  
• Analyse the policies and tradeoffs with other sectors and natural resources pertaining to hunger and malnutrition in South Asia.
• Develop sustainable solutions to make food systems more nutritional and health-focused in India and south Asia
• Engage with experts, agriculturists and professionals and organize workshops and form a working group in south Asia that will collectively bring out a Regional Policy Brief Report as an integrated effort needed to tackle malnutrition in the region.
• Develop best policies and practices that can be co-designed and scaled up in food insecure areas, and create steps needed to transform food systems in the south Asian region to achieve food security.
• Examine policy monitoring systems and make country-specific recommendations based on findings to tackle malnutrition, hunger and establish solutions to ensure seed security for farmers and farming communities
• Make country-specific recommendations based on findings for sustainable farming practices in South Asia.
• Develop tools and resources on sustainable solution pathways that can support national decision makers achieve the SDGs on Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well Being.
• Develop toolkit for sharing spatial datasets, reports, policy briefs, guidance documents, handbooks, other toolkits, and platforms to various stakeholders and decision makers.

How to apply:

This is a full-time position based in Future Earth South Asia Global Hub, Divecha Centre for Climate Change (DCCC), IISc, Bangalore. Applicants must be eligible to work at DCCC, in India.

Application Format: Applicants to this position are requested to submit a Curriculum Vitae on plain paper with details of: (i). Academic qualification, (ii). University/Institution, (iii). Year of passing, (iv). Marks, (v). Experience and vi. The Name and Contact Details of two referees and a vii. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience would help meet the requirements of the role and contribute to the Future Earth Programme and the organization.

Applications should be in English and in one combined PDF file and sent via email with the Subject Line “Vacancy: Science Policy Analyst, Future Earth Global Secretariat Hub- South Asia” to the Chair, DCCC at: office.dccc@iisc.ac.in  

Application deadline: 25 February, 2023