Location: Remote Europe / E.Africa preferred (North America selectively)
Organization: Mati Carbon (http://mati.earth)
Role Overview
The Research and Advocacy Manager will lead research initiatives, contribute to policy advocacy, and develop high-impact publications that position Mati Carbon as a thought leader in smallholder adaptation and carbon removal. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background in agriculture (PhD or PostDoc), experience in development finance, and a track record of published research or articles. The role also requires technical grant writing expertise and familiarity with carbon markets.
Key Responsibilities
1. Research and Thought Leadership :
- Lead and contribute to research initiatives on smallholder adaptation, soil carbon sequestration, and climate-resilient agriculture.
- Publish high-impact articles, white papers, and reports in collaboration with academic institutions, think tanks, and industry partners.
- Represent Mati Carbon at academic conferences, webinars, and policy forums to advocate for smallholder-inclusive climate solutions.
2. Policy Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and implement advocacy strategies to influence climate finance and carbon market policies in favour of smallholder farmers.
- Engage with policymakers, development agencies, market intermediaries, research institutions and industry stakeholders to promote smallholder-inclusive carbon removal and insetting solutions.
- Track policy developments related to agriculture, carbon markets, and climate finance, and provide strategic recommendations to the leadership team.
3. Grant Writing and Development Finance Engagement
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities from development finance institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government grants.
- Lead the development of technical grant proposals, concept notes, and funding applications to support Mati Carbons initiatives.
- Collaborate with finance and operations teams to ensure compliance with funding requirements and reporting obligations.
4. Knowledge Sharing and Internal Capacity Building
- Train and support internal teams on the latest research findings, policy trends, and funding opportunities.
- Develop knowledge-sharing materials and contribute to Mati Carbons internal research repository.
- Collaborate with field teams to document best practices and lessons learned from project implementation.
Qualifications and Experience
- 3+ years of experience in Agriculture and/or smallholder research, policy advocacy, or development finance, with a focus on Africa, Southeast Asia, or Latin America.
- Proven track record with evidence of published research, articles, policy briefs in the above relevant fields. Leadership or public exposure a plus but not required.
- Strong experience in technical grant writing and securing funding from development finance institutions or philanthropic organizations.
- Familiarity with carbon markets, carbon credit methodologies, and nature-based solutions (preferred but not required).
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research into actionable insights.
- Experience engaging with policymakers, research organisations, funders, and multilateral organizations. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote, cross-cultural team environment.
- Good to have : PhD or PostDoc in Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Adaptation or related field
Why Join Mati Carbon?
- Opportunity to drive meaningful impact at the intersection of market-based solutions to climate resilience, smallholder agriculture, and carbon markets.
- Work with a diverse and passionate team with long private/development sector and investment experience, committed to smallholder livelihood impact and climate action.
- Flexible remote work environment with opportunities for travel and engagement with global stakeholders.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package aligned with experience and industry standards.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their CV, a cover letter detailing their research and advocacy experience, and writing sample/links (published article, policy brief, or grant proposal) on the link below.
