Consultant for Land and Climate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is a regional arm of the United Nations that aims to promote economic and social development in African countries. Established in 1958, ECA works to foster the economic and social development of its member states, enhance cooperation and integration among them, and promote the region's sustainable development. The organization has a significant presence across the continent, with a focus on various sectors including agriculture, climate change, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. ECA collaborates with multiple stakeholders, including governments, regional organizations, and civil society, to address pressing issues affecting the continent. With a workforce comprising numerous experts and professionals, ECA operates in various countries across Africa, working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in strengthening the capacity of selected African countries, specifically Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda, to improve the resilience of their food systems against climate change and variability. This position involves enhancing evidence-based decision-making among ministries, research institutions, and stakeholders in livestock value chains. The consultant will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of a project aimed at transforming food systems to be more resilient and inclusive, particularly focusing on livestock agri-food systems. The consultant will engage in research, policy dialogues, and capacity development activities to support the development of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks. The role requires a deep understanding of the challenges faced by these countries in terms of food security and climate vulnerability, as well as the ability to identify opportunities for policy reforms that can facilitate the harnessing of livestock value chains.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Overall coordination of the project across the targeted countries.
• Acquisition, processing, and management of spatial and non-spatial data from various sources, including satellite imagery and climate models.
• Utilization of advanced GIS tools to generate actionable insights for decision-making in livestock value chains.
• Identification of potential areas for private sector investment in livestock value chains using geospatial data.
• Customization of decision support modules related to livestock value chain suitability, land use, and climate prediction.
• Development and operationalization of a decision support tool that centralizes datasets and tools for policymakers.
• Generation of country profiles that highlight risks, vulnerabilities, and investment opportunities.
• Creation of interactive visualization and analytical dashboards for stakeholders.
• Design of training materials and facilitation of capacity-building workshops for technical officers in relevant ministries.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or PhD) in Geospatial Science, Land Management, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, or a related field. Knowledge of geospatial modeling and the development of decision support tools is highly advantageous. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in geospatial data analysis related to land and climate policy support, particularly in the context of agricultural value chain development in Africa. Proficiency in geospatial software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or ENVI, as well as programming languages like Python or R, is required. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with excellent communication abilities to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Familiarity with African agricultural value chains, land tenure systems, and rural development challenges is also important, as is a commitment to ethical data collection and community engagement.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, either a Master's or a PhD, in fields such as Geospatial Science, Land Management, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, or related disciplines. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of land and climate interactions and for effectively applying geospatial analysis techniques to support policy development in the agricultural sector.

Experience:
The consultant must have at least 7 years of relevant experience in geospatial data analysis, particularly in the context of land and climate policy support. This experience should ideally be within the agricultural value chain development sector in Africa, allowing the consultant to bring valuable insights and expertise to the project. The role demands a strong understanding of the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in relation to climate change and land management, as well as experience in working with various stakeholders to implement effective solutions.

Languages:
While specific language requirements are not detailed in the job posting, proficiency in English is typically expected for positions within the United Nations, given its status as a working language. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the targeted countries (Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda) may be beneficial but is not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of 4 months within an 8-month period. 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 ethical recruitment practices and does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.