Consultancy - Soil Improvements in a Rangeland Landscape at Natural State

Responsibilities:

Review: co-development of the review structure with the NF team, and implementation and report output of the review (may include spreadsheet/database), to include:

• Scientific review of impacts of bio slurry and biochar to soils in East Africa
• Use of invasive species to generate bio slurry and biochar (global scope)
• Carbon market opportunities for application of bio slurry or biochar to soils (including review of
• appropriate market Standards, methodologies and impact potential)
• Review of key stakeholders (researchers, NGOs etc) working on biochar and bio slurry
• applications in East Africa
• Review of available technologies and supplies, their applicability and limitations

Scoping of the potential for the use of biochar or bio slurry for soil amendment within the Laikipia landscape (considering the findings of the review) and production of a report that considers:

• Situational analysis regarding invasive species and soils
• Suitable interventions within the landscape (biochar, bio slurry, use of inputs etc)
• Mapping of potential locations across the Laikipia landscape (could use Natural State
• GIS support for this mapping)
• Understanding the opportunity (baseline conditions and project benefits, potential for
• financial returns)
• Social and environmental considerations
• Identification of potential partners (e.g. experts, NGO’s)
• Reporting: Obtain feedback from the NS Nature Financing team before finalizing the scoping report and discuss the way forward and next steps.

Key Deliverables:

The two key deliverables from the work would be a review report and presentation in week 7, and a scoping report and presentation in week 10. The consultant would be expected to meet at least once a week with their supervisor on the Nature Financing team (online or in person), to ensure alignment and offer support to the consultant as they work through the stages of the assignment.

Requirements:

The consultant must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum of Bachelors level qualification in Environmental Science, Soil Science, Natural
• Resource Management or similar field
• Demonstrable experience in the application of biochar or bio-slurry to soils

Desirable:

• The following criteria are desirable:
• Understanding of the carbon market methodologies related to biochar and soil carbon
• Research experience of the impacts of biochar or bio-slurry to soils
• Physically located in Nanyuki or Meru