African Food Baskets Country Researchers 2026 Apply Now
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Apply for the African Food Baskets Country Researchers opportunity, a call for 10 qualified researchers from across Africa to document, preserve, and promote the continent's rich food heritage through community engagement and field-based research.
Join the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) in creating a continental resource on African food knowledge, traditions, and food sovereignty.
Quick Highlights
| Opportunity Name | African Food Baskets Country Researchers 2026 |
|---|---|
| Organization | Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) |
| Positions | 10 Country Researchers |
| Project | TAFS Project (Funded by Sida) |
| Focus | African Food Heritage & Food Sovereignty |
| Research Method | Community Engagement + Field Data Collection |
| Data Platform | KoboToolbox |
| Application Languages | English, French, Portuguese |
| Application Deadline | 6 September 2026 |
Opportunity Overview
| Host Organisation | Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Name | African Food Baskets Country Researchers |
| Opportunity Type | Research Consultancy |
| Positions Available | 10 Country Researchers |
| Project | TAFS Project |
| Funding | Sida |
| Focus | African Food Heritage & Food Sovereignty |
| Application Languages | English, French, Portuguese |
| Application Mode | Email Submission |
| Application Email | afsa@afsafrica.org |
| Application Deadline | 6 September 2026 |
About the African Food Baskets Initiative
The African Food Baskets initiative is being implemented by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) as part of the TAFS Project, with funding from Sida. The initiative also contributes to AFSA's #MyFoodIsAfrican campaign, which seeks to celebrate African food systems and strengthen recognition of the knowledge, practices, and cultural traditions that underpin food sovereignty across the continent.
Why This Initiative Matters:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Cultural Identity | Food is an important part of Africa's cultural identity |
| Knowledge Transfer | Traditional foods and practices have been passed through generations |
| Documentation Gap | Much of this knowledge remains undocumented |
| Vulnerability | Knowledge can be lost as food systems and lifestyles change |
| Continental Resource | The initiative aims to create a resource on African food heritage |
First Phase:
The first phase will focus on 10 countries, selected with the objective of achieving regional balance and ensuring representation across:
Anglophone Africa
Francophone Africa
Lusophone Africa
Final participating countries will be determined following the application and selection process.
What Country Researchers Will Do
Key Activities:
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Identify Foods | Identify and document foods that form part of the country's food basket |
| Record Dishes | Record traditional and contemporary dishes and beverages |
| Document Recipes | Document recipes and food preparation practices |
| Identify Sources | Identify food sources and traditional food systems |
| Collect Menus | Collect menus and other relevant food-related information |
| Record Stories | Record stories, proverbs, and cultural knowledge associated with food |
| Engage Communities | Engage communities and local knowledge holders |
| Fieldwork | Conduct field-based data collection |
| Photography | Take photographs to support the documentation |
| Validate Information | Validate collected information with relevant communities |
| Use Toolkit | Use the designated KoboToolbox toolkit |
| Submit Package | Prepare and submit a complete country data package |
| Produce Report | Produce a brief narrative report highlighting key findings |
Who Can Apply?
Relevant Experience Areas:
| Experience Area | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Social Research | Understanding community dynamics |
| Food Systems Research | Knowledge of food systems |
| Agriculture | Agricultural knowledge and practices |
| Food Sovereignty | Understanding of food sovereignty concepts |
| Anthropology | Cultural and social understanding |
| Sociology | Social structures and community engagement |
| Cultural Studies | Cultural knowledge and traditions |
| Community Development | Working with communities |
| Indigenous Knowledge | Documenting indigenous knowledge systems |
| Qualitative Research | Qualitative research methods |
| Field Research | Field-based data collection |
| Documentation | Documenting cultural knowledge |
| Data Collection | Data collection and management |
| Participatory Research | Engaging communities in research |
Key Skills:
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Community Engagement | Ability to work with local knowledge holders |
| Communication | Strong communication skills |
| Fieldwork | Willingness to conduct field-based research |
| Documentation | Skills in documenting cultural knowledge |
| Validation | Ability to validate information with communities |
Research and Community Engagement
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Community-Centric | Working with communities rather than secondary sources |
| Local Knowledge Holders | Identifying and engaging knowledge holders |
| Information Collection | Collecting traditional foods, recipes, preparation methods, cultural practices |
| Validation | Ensuring information is reviewed and validated |
| Accurate Representation | Creating a resource that accurately reflects Africa's diverse food traditions |
Continental Resource Applications
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Advocacy | Supporting efforts to promote food sovereignty and stronger African food systems |
| Research | Providing information for researchers studying food, agriculture, culture, and development |
| Education | Helping preserve and share knowledge about African foods and traditions |
| Communication | Creating opportunities to tell African food stories |
| Policy Engagement | Supporting conversations around food systems and food sovereignty |
Application Process
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Review the complete Terms of Reference (TOR) |
| 2 | Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements |
| 3 | Prepare application in accordance with TOR requirements |
| 4 | Submit application by email to afsa@afsafrica.org |
| 5 | Applications accepted in English, French, or Portuguese |
| 6 | Submit before the 6 September 2026 deadline |
Important Links
| Description | Official Link |
|---|---|
| AFSA Announcement | https://afsafrica.org/blog/call-for-applications-african-food-baskets-country-researchers/ |
| AFSA Official Website |
Important Dates / Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 6 September 2026 |
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the opportunity? | African Food Baskets Country Researchers |
| How many positions are available? | 10 positions |
| Who is organizing this? | Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) |
| What is the focus? | Documenting African food heritage and food sovereignty |
| What will researchers do? | Community engagement, field data collection, documentation using KoboToolbox |
| Who can apply? | Qualified African researchers with relevant experience |
| What experience is relevant? | Social research, food systems, agriculture, anthropology, cultural studies |
| What languages can I apply in? | English, French, Portuguese |
| What is the deadline? | 6 September 2026 |
| How do I apply? | Email application to afsa@afsafrica.org |
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The African Food Baskets Country Researchers opportunity offers a unique chance for African researchers to contribute to the preservation of the continent's rich food heritage. The focus on community engagement and local knowledge holders ensures that the documentation process respects and values the knowledge of communities.
For researchers interested in food sovereignty, agriculture, culture, indigenous knowledge, community development, or African food systems, this assignment provides an opportunity to apply research skills to a project with continental relevance. The emphasis on regional balance across Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa reflects the initiative's commitment to representing Africa's diverse food traditions.
The use of KoboToolbox for data collection combines traditional community-based research with digital documentation methods, providing researchers with experience in both areas.
Best Opportunity For
| Category | Suitable |
|---|---|
| African Researchers | ✓ |
| Social Researchers | ✓ |
| Food Systems Researchers | ✓ |
| Anthropologists | ✓ |
| Sociologists | ✓ |
| Cultural Studies Professionals | ✓ |
| Community Development Professionals | ✓ |
| Qualitative Researchers | ✓ |
Competition Level
| Category | Level |
|---|---|
| Overall Competition | High |
| Selection Difficulty | High |
| Application Complexity | Moderate to High |
CareerFlora Recommendation
| Recommendation Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Career Impact | High |
| Networking | High |
| Application Difficulty | Moderate to High |
| Continental Relevance | Excellent |
This opportunity is highly recommended for African researchers with expertise in food systems, community research, and cultural documentation. The opportunity to contribute to a continental resource on African food heritage, combined with the focus on community engagement and preservation of indigenous knowledge, makes this a meaningful research opportunity.
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Final Call-to-Action
Visit the official AFSA website to review the complete Terms of Reference. Prepare your application according to the TOR requirements. Submit your application by email to afsa@afsafrica.org before the 6 September 2026 deadline. Applications are accepted in English, French, or Portuguese.
📧 Submit Applications: afsa@afsafrica.org
🔗 Official Announcement: https://afsafrica.org/blog/call-for-applications-african-food-baskets-country-researchers/
🏛️ Organisation Website: https://afsafrica.org
