Consultant for Cacao Production and Ecosystem Services Assessment

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established in 1972, UNEP promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. With a mission to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UNEP works with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy. The organization has a significant presence in over 100 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to environmental sustainability and policy advocacy.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work within the Economics of Nature (TEN) Unit in the Ecosystems Division of UNEP. The primary focus of this position is to develop a project proposal for the implementation of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Agriculture and Food (TEEBAgriFood). This initiative aims to apply True Cost Accounting principles to measure and value ecosystem services, natural capital, human capital, and social capital, thereby making a compelling economic case for sustainable agriculture investments and policies. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a spatial assessment of cacao production and deforestation trends in Mexico, modeling cacao suitability, and identifying data gaps for ecosystem services and traceability of cacao products. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders and the production of national maps and reports that will inform public policies and practices in the cacao sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties and responsibilities include:

• Reviewing existing data and spatial layers related to cacao production and its environmental impact, including deforestation and ecosystem services, to identify data gaps.
• Producing national-scale timeseries maps using GIS technology to illustrate trends in cacao production and deforestation over the past 30 years.
• Modeling and mapping agro-ecological suitability for cacao production at a landscape scale.
• Evaluating deforestation trends in areas suitable for cacao cultivation.
• Recommending methods for mapping ecosystem services in cacao-growing regions, such as carbon storage, biodiversity habitat, and erosion control.
• Determining scalable methodologies and efficient data management systems for spatial traceability of cacao products to comply with the EU Deforestation Free Rule.
• Contributing to an agroecological and economic baseline report and fundraising proposal for TEEBAgriFood for cacao in Mexico, which will be completed through a separate UNEP consultancy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Environmental Science, Agronomy, Environmental Economics, or a related field. Alternatively, a first university degree combined with two years of professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a minimum of five years of professional working experience in GIS, ecosystem services modeling, landcover modeling, or food systems assessment is required. A solid understanding of spatial modeling of deforestation in the context of agriculture is essential, while knowledge of the political economy of agriculture in Mexico is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Environmental Science, Agronomy, Environmental Economics, or similar disciplines. Candidates with a first university degree and substantial professional experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of ecosystem services and agricultural practices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in areas such as GIS, ecosystem services modeling, landcover modeling, or food systems assessment. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with spatial data and modeling techniques, particularly in relation to agricultural practices and environmental impacts. Experience in the political economy of agriculture, especially in the context of Mexico, is an added advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written Spanish is mandatory for this position, along with proficiency in oral and written English. While English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish is crucial for engaging with local stakeholders and understanding regional contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for three months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization is committed to ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process, and it does not require any financial information from applicants.