Dutch Government Climate Smart Agriculture, East Africa (CSA-EA) program 2019 PhD Scholarships for East African Students

The Climate Smart Agriculture, East Africa (CSA-EA) program offers opportunities for the placement of two PhD students to be enrolled in one of the graduate schools of Wageningen University.

Application Deadline: 12th November 2018.

Eligible Countries: Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania.

To be taken at (country): Wageningen (The Netherlands) and East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and/or Uganda)

Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada - Apply before 31 December 2024 to get as low as 9.99% interest rate

About the Award: The Climate Smart Agriculture, East Africa (CSA-EA) program funded by the Dutch Government will promote climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a way to transform and reorient agricultural systems to the new realities of climate change. The proposed program will use an inclusive business development approach for CSA in arable farming in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It will thereby contribute to the availability of climate resilient and sustainably produced food for the growing population in East Africa.

The program will deliver impact in the following areas:

• Productive capacity and income increased for 300,000 smallholder farmers;
• Business performance improved for 50 agribusiness SMEs and 30 cooperatives for climate-proof value chains;
• Climate resilient sustainable food production practiced on 600,000 hectares with more carbon, energy, and water efficient production systems.

The implementation strategy of the CSA-East Africa program is based on complementary interventions at three levels: (a) farming systems, (b) inclusive value chains, and (c) the enabling environment.

This five year program will be implemented by SNV (Netherlands Development Organization) in partnership with Wageningen University and Research (WUR); the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS); Agriterra; and Rabo Partnerships.

Type: PhD

Eligibility:

PhD 1: We are looking for an enthusiastic team player with the following qualifications:

1. National from Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania
2. A relevant MSc degree in (agricultural) economics or other relevant social science discipline
3. Affinity with Climate and Agriculture
4. Knowledge and Experience with quantitative and qualitative socio-economic research methods
5. Proven ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and interest in working within a business-oriented climate smart agricultural development programme
6. Strong oral and written communication skills in English, especially regarding academic writing and presentation

PhD 2: We are looking for an enthusiastic team player with the following qualifications:

1. National from Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania
2. An excellent academic record and an MSc degree in a relevant natural science discipline related to climate, environmental and/or agricultural sciences (Masters completed)
3. Strong skills related to data analyses and model development
4. Experience in the use of climate, hydrological or agricultural models
5. Affinity with Climate and Agriculture
6. proven ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and interest in working within a business-oriented climate smart agricultural development programme
7. strong oral and written communication skills in English, especially regarding to academic writing and presentation

Number of Awards: 2

Value of Award: The scholarship offers €1400/month during the stay in the Netherlands and €700/month during the stay in East Africa.

Duration of Programme: The selected PhD students are expected to spend about 18 months in Wageningen (Netherlands) and 30 months in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and/or Uganda).

How to Apply: Applications should be submitted before 12 November 2018 by email to [email protected],
including the following information:

1. An application letter explaining your motivation:
(a) Please indicate clearly in the subject line of your letter for which PhD position you would like to apply
(b) Indicate clearly in your letter why you are interested in this position and how your experience links to the position requirements
2. A detailed CV including personal details (name, contact details, age, gender), academic training, work experience and a list of publications. Please include language skills, computing and (academic) software skills and research for development networks.
3. Scanned copies of academic diplomas (bachelors and masters) and associated lists of marks/qualifications for courses followed. Diplomas will be validated by NUFFIC.
4. Names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications

Visit Programme Webpage for Details