Foodthink Hiring | No-Nonsense Roles Waiting for Those Still Ready to Make a Move

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Foodthink is a community dedicated to knowledge, information and writing on sustainable food and agriculture, co-founded and managed by a group of long-standing practitioners and researchers in the field. Since our launch in August 2017, we have connected with nearly 200 outstanding researchers and practitioners across China and internationally. Together, we follow, report on, comment on and analyse practices, research, policies and innovations within sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Beyond publishing original articles, Foodthink also fosters dialogue and collaborative learning between industry professionals and the wider public. We do this through a variety of formats, including course series, food and agriculture sharing sessions, book clubs, film screenings, hands-on field trips, industry conferences and public events, all aimed at raising awareness of sustainable food and agriculture issues. Since last year, we have also launched our podcast, Food Talk.

● Guest speaker Shu Meng with the audience after the sharing session.
● Our promotional stand at the Friends of Nature 30th anniversary market.

The “Lianhe Project” micro-grant initiative, dedicated to building industry infrastructure, has supported over 20 early-stage food and farming teams across the country. The Ecological Farm Internship Programme has helped match more than 20 young people aspiring to careers in ecological agriculture with experienced farms for hands-on training. Over the past few years, Foodthink has also co-hosted a range of industry events, including the Guangdong Harvest Festival and the Farmers’ Conference.

Now, we’re hiring again!

I. Editor (Full-time, 1 position)

The first role we are opening up is for an Editor. Foodthink currently has three editors on staff, but we frequently find ourselves having to lend support to an ever-growing slate of other projects. Therefore, we’ve decided to add another pair of hands to the editorial team!

● The editorial team occasionally heads out into the field for interviews. This April, we visited Yu Jiangang, a young returnee who set up a silkworm farm in his home village.
Responsibilities
1. Plan and execute editorial topics, including commissioning pieces, editing, selecting images, layout, and proofreading;

2. Conduct interviews and write selected features, as well as translate and compile English-language submissions;

3. Scout new writers and help manage our author community;

4. Lend support to other Foodthink initiatives, such as organising public events, visiting farms, and coordinating industry conferences.

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We’re Looking For
1. Demonstrable ability to independently research, write and edit, with prior writing or editing experience (please include relevant writing samples in your CV); 2. A genuine passion for subjects such as agriculture, food, the environment and rural development; relevant academic study or professional experience would be highly advantageous;

3. Strong English reading and writing proficiency

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II. Communications and Media Operations (Full-time, 1 position)

Readers often tell us at Foodthink: “You have such excellent content; it really deserves to reach a wider audience.” While we deeply appreciate the encouragement, it has made us realise that, compared to content creation, communications is actually where Foodthink falls short.

Foodthink grew during the heyday of WeChat Official Accounts, but today we are navigating a completely new media landscape. We began experimenting with podcasting as a new medium last year. Our frequent interactions with mainstream media over the past few years have made it clear that even these “giants” are under pressure to adapt. That is why we are looking for a specialised colleague to lead our communications efforts. If you are confident in your expertise in this area, we warmly invite you to apply.

● Recording a podcast episode with 9inch Brewing; this episode will be going live soon.
Key Responsibilities
1. Develop communications strategies, primarily covering written content, podcasts, and online/offline events (e.g., reading groups, sharing sessions, harvest festivals); 2. Monitor relevant media trends, provide input for content production, and assist in drafting related work plans;

3. Maintain media relations and promote Foodthink’s content externally;

4. Oversee Foodthink’s day-to-day platform maintenance and community engagement;

5. Assist in planning Foodthink’s industry media products, such as newsletters and briefings.

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What We’re Looking For
1. Experience in media, communications, or digital operations, preferably with a background in writing; 2. A solid grasp of digital media dynamics, with a keen awareness of emerging topics across social issues and the food and agriculture sector;

3. Regularly follow media covering food, agriculture, and the non-profit sector, with a refined sense of language and tone;

4. Strong project planning and learning agility, able to adapt quickly to tasks across different media channels;

5. Proficient English skills.

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3. Project Officer (Lianhe Project)

Beyond our original articles and podcasts, Foodthink also seeks to support partners working in sustainable agriculture, which is the driving force behind the “Lianhe Project”. Over the past few years, we have launched three rounds of small grant programmes. Since 2021, we have also run two cohorts of an ecological agriculture internship programme, helping young people eager to enter the field connect with suitable farms. We are now opening recruitment for a Project Officer role within the Lianhe Project. If you are keen to travel across the country and work directly with practitioners in ecological agriculture, this position may well be the right fit for you.

● Group photo taken with practitioners working on the in-situ conservation of heritage seeds, supported by the Lianhe Programme, at the Kunshan Farmers’ Seed Network Annual Conference.
● He Yan and Da Wang, interns on the Ecological Agriculture Internship Programme, packing citrus fruit at the farm.
Responsibilities
1. Maintain close communication with partners involved in the ‘Lianhe Plan’; 2. Plan activities within the project and execute them alongside other team members;

3. Assist with project fundraising;

4. Complete relevant administrative tasks required by the project.

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What We’re Looking For
1. A strong interest in issues such as sustainable agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development; prior study or work experience in related fields is preferred; 2. Friendly and approachable, with the ability to build strong relationships with diverse organisations and individuals;

3. Experience in project management is a plus;

4. Available for occasional travel.

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4. Programme Officer (Climate Change)

Since 2021, Foodthink has closely tracked the impact of climate change on agriculture. We also hope that the positive contributions of sustainable agriculture to tackling climate change will gain greater recognition domestically. What role should Foodthink play in this? We look forward to working alongside the new Programme Officer to shape the future of our ‘Climate Change’ programme.

● Dai Yunyun, a young returnee in Guilin. Over the past few years, Foodthink has documented the stories of farmers like him and their experiences with climate change. You can find articles on climate change under the ‘#ClimateChange’ tag on our WeChat Official Account.
● At the Kunshan Farmer Seed Network Annual Conference, we also organised discussions with farmers on the impacts of climate change.
Responsibilities
1. Lead Foodthink’s climate change-related programmes; 2. Contribute to programme design and fundraising for climate change initiatives;

3. Draft articles and reports on agriculture and climate change;

4. Represent the organisation at various external conferences and meetings.

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Qualifications
1. Strong expertise in climate change, food systems, and related fields; 2. Prior work experience in climate change; 3. A proactive work attitude and strong team spirit, with a willingness to pioneer new territory; 4. Excellent English communication, reading and writing skills; 5. Available for travel.

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What We Offer
A relaxed and friendly working environment; above-average compensation for the non-profit sector;

Affordable, healthy ingredients for meals.

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Working Hours & Location
Beijing, near Zhichun Road Station (Subway Lines 10 & 13). 40 hours per week, with 1–2 days of fixed office attendance.

Flexible working arrangements for the rest of the week;

However, frequent participation in evening and weekend online/offline events is required.

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● Finally, a glimpse of daily cooking at Foodthink: hibiscus jam that stained our fingers red. This was during the peak of the pandemic, when colleagues were unexpectedly locked down in the office for a week. Sharing meals and cooking together became one of our few comforts. Read our story of being quarantined in the office in the article ‘Seven Days and Nights Locked in the Office with Six People’.

How to Apply

Scan the QR code below, or click ‘Read More’ at the bottom of the article to complete the application form. Please attach your CV, portfolio, and any other relevant materials:

If you have any questions, feel free to add Foodthink’s personal WeChat ID: foodthinkcn, or email us directly at tianle@foodthink.cn.

Applicants with further questions, or those wishing to share additional work or ideas, are also welcome to email the address above. We will be in touch with shortlisted candidates within two weeks of receiving their applications.

Published by Foodthink