Technical Lead, Food Systems (2-year contract)

WWF-WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE (SINGAPORE) LIMITED; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WWF-Singapore is seeking a Technical Lead, Food Systems to provide technical expertise to its agriculture and food systems programmes, with initial focus on rice production and climate resilience.

You will work with WWF teams, research partners and technical experts to design interventions that strengthen resilience, reduce emissions and align with WWF's environmental goals, while translating science into practical solutions for communities in Southeast Asia.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Climate Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' relevant experience in agricultural production systems, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture or related fields.
• Strong understanding of climate risks and their implications for agricultural production.
• Experience designing or evaluating climate-resilient agricultural interventions.
• Knowledge of rice production systems and Southeast Asian agriculture landscapes would be highly advantageous.
• Experience with agricultural GHG mitigation, carbon finance, nature-based solutions or sustainable finance would be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advisory & intervention design for agricultural and food production systems, starting with rice.
• Identify and assess interventions to improve climate resilience, productivity and environmental outcomes.
• Develop technical recommendations to support design and implementation of programmes.
• Assess technical feasibility, impact and scalability of proposed interventions.
• Integrate climate-risk considerations into design and prioritisation of interventions.
• Support programme development by providing input into concepts, proposals and plans.
• Collaborate with WWF teams, research institutions and technical partners to validate interventions.
• Translate technical evidence into practical recommendations for partners and stakeholders.

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Climate Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline

Job description

About WWF

WWF-Singapore World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As one of WWF’s international hubs, WWF-Singapore supports a global network spanning over 100 countries. WWF Singapore works closely with local stakeholders towards a greener and more sustainable Singapore and the region around us. We work to address key conservation areas, such as climate change, sustainable finance, deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, marine conservation, and sustainable production and consumption, through collaboration, education and outreach efforts involving the community, businesses, and governments. For more information, please visit wwf.sg.

Overview

WWF-Singapore is seeking a Technical Lead, Food Systems to provide technical expertise to its agriculture and food systems related programmes including its Climate Resilient Rice/Food Coalition.

The role will provide technical advice on food production systems, with a particular focus on identifying and designing interventions that strengthen climate resilience, reduce emissions and improve environmental outcomes. The Technical Lead will ensure that climate risks and future climate scenarios are appropriately incorporated into programme and intervention design.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Advisory & Intervention Design

• Provide technical advice on agricultural and food production systems, initially with a strong focus on rice production.
• Identify and assess interventions that can improve climate resilience, productivity and environmental outcomes across food production systems.
• Develop technical recommendations and guidance to support the design and implementation of related programmes.
• Assess the technical feasibility, potential impact and scalability of proposed interventions.

2. Climate Risk & Resilience

• Assess current and future climate risks affecting agricultural production systems and supply chains.
• Integrate climate-risk considerations and climate scenarios into the design and prioritisation of interventions.
• Identify appropriate adaptation and resilience measures for different production systems and geographies.
• Support the development of approaches and indicators to measure improvements in climate resilience.

3. Programme Development & Implementation

• Provide technical input into programme concepts, proposals, feasibility assessments and implementation plans.
• Work with WWF teams, research institutions and technical partners to develop and validate interventions.
• Support programme implementation by providing ongoing technical advice and troubleshooting.
• Ensure interventions are aligned with relevant scientific evidence, best practices and WWF environmental and social objectives.

4. Technical Partnerships & Knowledge

• Build relationships with research institutions, agricultural experts, technology providers and other technical partners.
• Review emerging science, technologies and practices relevant to climate-resilient and low-carbon food production.
• Translate technical evidence into practical recommendations for partners, policymakers, financial institutions and other stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree or PhD in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Climate Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' relevant experience in agricultural production systems, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture or related fields.
• Strong understanding of climate risks and their implications for agricultural production.
• Experience designing or evaluating climate-resilient agricultural interventions.
• Knowledge of rice production systems and Southeast Asian agriculture landscapes would be highly advantageous.
• Experience with agricultural GHG mitigation, carbon finance, nature-based solutions or sustainable finance would be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.

Why Join Us

Join WWF-Singapore to help develop and scale practical solutions for more climate-resilient and sustainable food systems across Southeast Asia. You will work at the intersection of science, agriculture, climate and finance, helping translate technical evidence into interventions that can deliver measurable benefits for people, climate and nature.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who have submitted the form.