<p><strong>Position: </strong>Soil Improvements in a Rangeland Landscape</p><p><strong>Location: </strong>Natural State Research Centre- Isiolo County, Kenya </p><p><strong>Salary: </strong>Negotiable</p><p><strong>Terms: </strong>Consultancy </p><p><strong>Consultancy Period: </strong>10 weeks (40 hrs or less per week) </p><p><br></p><p><strong>About Natural State </strong></p><p>Natural State is a pioneering environmental non-profit organisation working to catalyse large-scale nature restoration and conservation by revolutionising impact monitoring, creating innovative financial mechanisms, and building capacity at the local level. With operations in Kenya, the United States, and South Africa, we bring together science, technology, and community partnerships to restore ecosystems and secure a more resilient and biodiverse future. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Position Summary </strong></p><p>The Nature Financing teams seeks a motivated and interested individual to undertake a 10-week consultancy to explore the opportunities that organic applications to soils through interventions such as biochar and bio slurry could provide to landowners within a rangeland landscape. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p><p><em>Review: co-development of the review structure with the NF team, and implementation and report output of the review (may include spreadsheet/database), to include: </em></p><ol><li>Scientific review of impacts of bio slurry and biochar to soils in East Africa </li><li>Use of invasive species to generate bio slurry and biochar (global scope) </li><li>Carbon market opportunities for application of bio slurry or biochar to soils (including review of </li><li>appropriate market Standards, methodologies and impact potential) </li><li>Review of key stakeholders (researchers, NGOs etc) working on biochar and bio slurry </li><li>applications in East Africa </li><li>Review of available technologies and supplies, their applicability and limitations </li></ol><p><br></p><p><em>Scoping of the potential for the use of biochar or bio slurry for soil amendment within the Laikipia landscape (considering the findings of the review) and production of a report that considers: </em></p><ul><li>Situational analysis regarding invasive species and soils </li><li>Suitable intervention<span>s </span>within the landscape (biochar, bio slurry, use of inputs etc) </li><li>Mapping of potential locations across the Laikipia landscape (could use Natural State </li><li>GIS support for this mapping) </li><li>Understanding the opportunity (baseline conditions and project benefits, potential for </li><li>financial returns) </li><li>Social and environmental considerations </li><li>Identification of potential partners (e.g. experts, NGO’s) </li><li><em>Reporting: Obtain feedback from the NS Nature Financing team before finalizing the scoping report and discuss the way forward and next steps. </em></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Deliverables: </strong></p><p>The two key deliverables from the work would be a review report and presentation in week 7, and a scoping report and presentation in week 10. The consultant would be expected to meet at least once a week with their supervisor on the Nature Financing team (online or in person), to ensure alignment and offer support to the consultant as they work through the stages of the assignment. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Requirements: </strong></p><p>The consultant must meet the following criteria: </p><ul><li>Minimum of Bachelors level qualification in Environmental Science, Soil Science, Natural </li><li>Resource Management or similar field </li><li>Demonstrable experience in the application of biochar or bio-slurry to soils </li><li><strong>Desirable: </strong></li><li>The following criteria are desirable: </li><li>Understanding of the carbon market methodologies related to biochar and soil carbon </li><li>Research experience of the impacts of biochar or bio-slurry to soils </li><li>Physically located in Nanyuki or Meru </li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Additional information </strong></p><ul><li>The consultant is expected to work a predetermined 3-5 days per week over the 10-week period. The consultant would need to have their own computer. They would be welcome to work from home or the Natural State office in Nanyuki or Lewa Research Centre, where internet and desk space would be provided. </li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Compensation </strong></p><ul><li>A competitive salary will be offered, commensurate with experience and qualifications. </li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>How to Apply: </strong></p><p>Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter (pdf format only) describing your aptitude and interest in the position. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis beginning October 15th and the position will remain open until it is filled. We look forward to reviewing your application and learning about how you can contribute to our mission. </p><p><br></p><p>Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. </p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Natural State is an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. </em></strong></p><p><br></p>