Field Research Assistant in Sustainability and Social Impact Measurement - Community Climate Solutions

Field Research Assistant in Sustainability and Social Impact Measurement

Community & Climate Solutions (Prof. Dina Pomeranz & Prof. Seema Jayachandran)

Dina Pomeranz (University of Zurich) and Seema Jayachandran (Princeton University) together with Community Climate Solutions (CCS), a Zambia-based social enterprise focused on carbon offset projects, are looking for a full-time field research assistant. The research assistant will organize and lead data collection in rural Zambia to measure the impact of CSS activities.

Background Community Climate Solutions

Community Climate Solutions is a new social enterprise focused on developing truly beneficial carbon offset projects, for both the climate as well as rural subsistence farmers. Headquartered in Lusaka, we will have a team of over 70 people and are growing rapidly, with most of our staff permanently residing in and serving our project areas in rural Zambia.

Our carbon capture model is to empower farmers to reduce and remove carbon emissions from their own agricultural land and their surroundings. Our interventions are centered on (i) the reduction of anthropogenic bush fires by paying local farmers for cutting of the moribund grass, building community cattle herds to graze, and financially incentivizing non-burn, (ii) restoration of the Savanna ecosystem by protecting existing trees and the natural regrowth, combined with replanting where necessary and (iii) encouraging smart agricultural practices. This removes carbon through the soil health and biomass growth, which we monetize using the voluntary carbon market. We additionally differentiate ourselves through the focus on direct household payment, with farmers getting paid for the amount of carbon they remove on their own fields and designated areas, enabling them to become self-motivated climate entrepreneurs. 

Job Description

We are now hiring a Research Assistant, fulfilling the following function:

• Organize and lead data collection in rural Zambia for internal measuring impact of CCS activities. 
• Support development of the framework to measure social impact for CCS.
• Collaborate with international research institutions to develop scientifically designed field experiments to measure impact, as well as appropriate longitudinal studies. This includes questionnaire development, hiring and management of surveyors, and oversight of data quality.
• Organize efficient data collection/-storage with resp. CCS project leads for corporate and scientific usage.
• Monitor, periodically analyse and condense project data for reporting.
• Data collection, measurement of scientific studies, track and measure impact for CCS. 

Job Requirements

All applicants need to fulfill the following pre-requirements:

• Minimum 1 year experience in survey and data collection for social impact measurement, ideally for a research study aimed at peer-reviewed publication.
• Strong understanding of research methodologies and best practices.
• Required technical skills for data analysis (Microsoft Office programs, R or STATA, etc.).
• Understanding of and experience in rural Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in a relevant field of sociology, ecology or economics; optimally with research experience.
• Self-starter attitude, being able to plan, organize and carry out the required projects with limited oversight.
• Zambian or other Eastern African origin preferred.
• No work permit is required, as we will endeavor to obtain an employment visa for the candidate if required.

Application

Your application can be uploaded from 22 October 2024. We will start reviewing applications on a rolling basis from 28 October 2024. The application deadline is 10 November 2024.

Documents Required:

• Detailed CV
• Cover letter detailing motivation and vision for the role
• Two references (from previous employers or academic references)

Country: Zambia

Education: Bachelor's, Master’s

Start Date (Earliest): 06 January 2025

Start Date (Latest): 01 March 2025

Length of Commitment: Minimum 1 year

Language Requirement: English

Application Deadline: 10 November 2024

Job Description: Field Research Assistant Community Climate Solutions.pdf