Consultant for Food Systems and Climate Action

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional commission established in 197

• Its mission is to support the development efforts of its member states in the Arab region by providing them with a platform for dialogue and cooperation, as well as technical assistance and capacity-building. ESCWA operates in 17 member countries and focuses on various areas including economic development, social development, and environmental sustainability. The organization aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development in the Arab region, addressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in the project titled 'Bridging the Climate-Food Nexus: Coherent Climate Action and Food System Transformation for Resilient Arab Least Developed Countries'. This project aims to align food systems transformation with national climate action plans in least developed countries (LDCs) such as Mauritania, Sudan, and Yemen. The consultant's primary responsibility will be to develop a section of a toolkit that provides methodologies for conducting policy and legal mapping, as well as stakeholder identification and consultation processes. This toolkit will serve as a resource for policymakers in LDCs to enhance their food systems and climate action strategies. The consultant will also contribute to the drafting of national mapping reports that analyze existing plans and policies related to climate action and food systems in the aforementioned countries. Additionally, the consultant will participate in national capacity-building workshops, providing insights and guidance on the interactions between food systems and climate action, and documenting key insights from these workshops to inform the toolkit and reports.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include developing a comprehensive section of the toolkit aimed at supporting LDC policymakers in aligning food systems transformation with national climate action plans. This will involve conducting policy and legal mapping, designing stakeholder identification processes, and creating consultation methodologies. The consultant will provide step-by-step guidance, illustrative examples, and practical tools for national governments and development partners. Furthermore, the consultant will review and harmonize three 20-page mapping reports for Mauritania, Sudan, and Yemen, analyzing existing national plans, policies, and institutional structures related to climate action and food systems transformation. The consultant will also closely follow up with national consultants, ensuring the final structure of the reports aligns with the ESCWA team's expectations. Participation in national capacity-building workshops is also a key responsibility, where the consultant will prepare inputs for sessions, document insights, and adapt content to each country's context.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or higher in fields such as security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, food systems, economics, public policy, agriculture, climate change, sustainable development, or a related area. Additionally, candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of their application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A minimum of 10 years of experience in research and analysis related to food systems, climate change, or sustainable development planning is required. Experience in food systems or climate change policy-making specifically in LDCs is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or higher in relevant fields such as food security, food systems, economics, public policy, agriculture, climate change, sustainable development, or a related discipline. This advanced education is essential for understanding the complexities of food systems and climate action, particularly in the context of least developed countries.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of professional experience in research and analysis related to food systems, climate change, or sustainable development planning. This extensive experience is crucial for the consultant to effectively contribute to the project and provide valuable insights into the policy and legal frameworks that govern food systems and climate action in LDCs. Experience specifically in food systems or climate change policy-making within LDCs is considered an asset, as it demonstrates familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these countries.

Languages:
Fluency in English, French, and Arabic is required for this position. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, while Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. This multilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of 4.5 months. There are no additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation provided in the job ad. 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 also does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.