African Food Baskets Country Researchers Programme 2026 (Paid Research Consultancy for African Researchers)

Applications are now open for the African Food Baskets Country Researchers Programme 2026, a paid consultancy opportunity for experienced researchers across Africa to document, preserve, and promote the continent's rich food heritage. Organized by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) under the Transforming African Food Systems (TAFS) Project with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the initiative seeks to recruit 10 Country Researchers to lead field-based documentation of indigenous food systems, traditional knowledge, and local food cultures.

The programme forms part of AFSA's broader MyFoodIsAfrican campaign, which aims to celebrate Africa's diverse culinary traditions while strengthening food sovereignty through the preservation of indigenous knowledge. Across many African communities, traditional food practices have been passed from one generation to another through oral traditions. However, rapid urbanization, climate change, changing diets, and modernization threaten the survival of this valuable knowledge. The African Food Baskets initiative seeks to address this challenge by creating a comprehensive continental resource that documents local foods, farming practices, recipes, and cultural traditions before they disappear.

Selected researchers will work directly with local communities, traditional knowledge holders, farmers, food processors, and cultural practitioners to collect reliable information using participatory research methods. Their findings will contribute to a growing database that highlights Africa's rich food diversity while supporting advocacy for sustainable and locally driven food systems. The programme offers researchers an opportunity to contribute to a project with continent-wide significance while strengthening their own expertise in food systems research, qualitative fieldwork, and community engagement.

About the Programme

The African Food Baskets initiative is designed to showcase the richness of African food heritage through systematic documentation carried out by experienced researchers. During the first phase of implementation, AFSA plans to work with researchers from ten African countries selected to ensure balanced representation across Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa.

Country Researchers will conduct field visits within their assigned countries to document indigenous crops, traditional farming systems, local food preparation techniques, community food practices, cultural traditions, and the stories behind African cuisines. Data collection will primarily be carried out using KoboToolbox, enabling standardized digital documentation across participating countries.

The programme emphasizes participatory research that respects indigenous knowledge systems and places local communities at the center of the documentation process. Rather than simply collecting information, researchers are expected to build trust with community members, ensure ethical data collection, and accurately represent the cultural significance of traditional food systems. The final outputs will contribute to a continental knowledge resource that supports food sovereignty, biodiversity conservation, and cultural preservation across Africa.

Programme Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• A paid consultancy contract as a Country Researcher.
• Opportunity to contribute to a continental African food heritage project.
• Professional experience working with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).
• Practical field research experience on indigenous food systems.
• Training and use of KoboToolbox for digital data collection.
• Opportunities to engage directly with local communities and traditional knowledge holders.
• Contribution to the preservation of African food heritage.
• Experience in qualitative research, documentation, and community engagement.
• Participation in an internationally funded project supported by Sida.
• Enhanced professional visibility within food systems and agricultural research networks.

Key Responsibilities

Selected Country Researchers will be responsible for:

• Conducting community-based field research.
• Identifying and documenting indigenous foods and traditional recipes.
• Recording local food production and preparation practices.
• Interviewing farmers, elders, cooks, and community knowledge holders.
• Collecting qualitative and quantitative research data.
• Using KoboToolbox for digital data collection and reporting.
• Maintaining high standards of ethical research and informed consent.
• Preparing country-level research reports.
• Supporting the creation of a continental African Food Baskets database.
• Collaborating closely with AFSA throughout the research process.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should:

• Be citizens of an African country.
• Have demonstrated experience in research or community-based fieldwork.
• Possess knowledge of African food systems, agriculture, cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, or related disciplines.
• Have strong qualitative research and interviewing skills.
• Be comfortable conducting field visits and engaging with local communities.
• Be able to collect and organize digital data using KoboToolbox or be willing to learn.
• Demonstrate excellent written communication skills.
• Be able to work independently while meeting project deadlines.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A cover letter explaining their suitability for the consultancy.
• Evidence of relevant research or fieldwork experience.
• Contact information for professional referees where applicable.
• Any additional supporting documents requested by AFSA.

Applications may be submitted in English, French, or Portuguese, reflecting the programme's commitment to regional inclusion across the African continent.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Relevant research experience.
• Knowledge of African food systems and indigenous food cultures.
• Experience with community engagement and qualitative fieldwork.
• Communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to use digital research tools.
• Overall suitability for conducting country-level research.
• Geographic balance across participating countries.

How to Apply

To apply for the African Food Baskets Country Researchers Programme 2026:

1. Review the official call for applications issued by AFSA.
2. Prepare your Curriculum Vitae and cover letter highlighting your relevant research experience.
3. Gather any additional supporting documents requested in the application guidelines.
4. Submit your complete application via email to afsa@afsafrica.org before the application deadline.
5. Wait for further communication regarding the selection process.