Job Description

About us

University College London (UCL) is one of the world\'s top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos - that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society - continues today.

The UCL Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research across a broad range of research themes.

The successful candidate will be working with Professor Lewis who led the team that first mapped the central Congo peatlands, the world\'s largest tropical peatlands complex, an area spanning 16.7 million hectares, and a globally significant store of carbon. These peatlands are currently largely intact, but threats loom (oil drilling, logging, drainage for agriculture, climate change). There is a strong desire to protect them, both nationally in the Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the peatlands are located, and internationally. This project, \xe2\x80\x9cProtecting the Congo Peatlands\xe2\x80\x9d, funded by the Grantham Foundation, will investigate and publish a plan to protect the peatlands. Details on the peatlands can be found at .

About the role

The Development Specialist will be working in a small team (including a Natural Resource Economist, also being advertised) to produce original, significant and rigorous research showing how the peatlands within the Republic of the Congo can be protected, while benefiting local communities and improving livelihoods. The protection plan must implementable, include all the relevant stakeholders, and be broadly acceptable to them, including how local people will benefit, and sustainable financing options.

The role may fit well as a secondment from government, and NGO, or the private sector.

This is a full time role funded for 11 months at .

Further details of the department are at .

Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Simon Lewis at

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the department\'s research administration team:

About you

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a Development-related specialism, or equivalent professional experience in central Africa (as mentioned, this role may fit well as a secondment from government, and NGO, or the private sector). Also essential is experience of addressing development challenges in a developing country context as well as in in supporting or advocating for Indigenous People\'s or local communities\' desires or aspirations in a developing country setting, rights-based approaches to development, or community-driven development projects or programs. They will also have to demonstrate that they have a a professional proficiency of verbal and written French.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days\' annual leave purchase scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit: to find out more.

\xc2\xa350,085 to \xc2\xa358,895 per annum

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