Consultant for Economics of Nature Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The UN Environment, established as the leading global environmental authority, is dedicated to setting the global environmental agenda and promoting the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. It serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment, coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The organization operates globally, working with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and capacity development for environmental policy implementation, particularly in developing countries and those with economies in transition. The Ecosystems Division, where this position is based, focuses on enhancing environmental management capacity and facilitating sustainable practices across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be engaged in the Economics of Nature Unit within the Ecosystems Division, specifically working on the project titled 'True Value Accounting: Making the Economic Case for Food Systems Transformation in India and Kenya,' funded by the IKEA Foundation. This project aims to support the implementation of TEEB studies of agro-ecological value chains, which requires significant technical capacity related to the quantification and valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services. The consultant will play a crucial role in executing various work packages of the project, which includes assessing organic and natural farming and agroforestry systems in specific Indian states. The consultant's work will contribute to the food systems transformation agenda in India by providing evidence-based policy recommendations, engaging with agribusinesses, and strengthening local communities' capacities in sustainable agricultural practices. The position requires collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector actors, and civil society organizations, to enhance coordination and foster convergence towards sustainable food systems transformation.

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

• Organizing national and state-level project workshops and meetings in India, ensuring broad representation from various stakeholders such as government officials, implementing partners, agribusinesses, and civil society groups. This involves preparing background documents, agendas, and logistical arrangements for the workshops, as well as drafting summaries of outcomes.
• Providing technical guidance and coordination with implementing partners to develop tailored training modules for agribusinesses, farmer groups, and public sector decision-makers.
• Supporting the review and finalization of technical and knowledge reports developed under TEEBAgriFood in India, ensuring they meet analytical quality and project objectives.
• Enhancing the visibility and communication of TEEBAgriFood outcomes by developing context-specific communication products and outreach content in collaboration with the country team and implementing partners.
• Facilitating cross-sectoral collaboration among various stakeholders to enhance coordination towards sustainable food systems transformation.
• Periodically consolidating project results and learnings to prepare progress summaries and knowledge products that inform policy dialogues and reporting processes.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a first-level degree with a specialization in fields such as environmental geoinformatics, environmental management, law, social anthropology, sustainable development, economics, applied economics, agriculture, or related fields. An advanced degree in these areas would be advantageous. Additionally, a minimum of two years of experience working with governments, NGOs, international organizations, or research institutions is required, particularly focusing on biophysical and economic modeling to measure and value the social and environmental impacts of food systems. Experience in both public and private sectors related to food systems is essential, and familiarity with the Indian agriculture sector is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations is also a plus.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a first-level degree in relevant fields such as environmental geoinformatics, environmental management, law, social anthropology, sustainable development, economics, applied economics, or agriculture. An advanced degree in these fields would be considered an added advantage, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience working with governments, NGOs, international organizations, or research institutions. This experience should focus on applying biophysical and economic modeling to assess the social and environmental impacts of food systems. Candidates with experience in the Indian agriculture sector and those who have worked with the United Nations will be given preference.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, fluency in spoken Hindi is desirable, as it will facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders in India.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for 12 months. There are no fees associated with the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of recruitment, including application, interview, or training. The organization emphasizes that it does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts.