Consultant for Food Systems and Groundwater Governance

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), which was established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA plays a crucial role in supporting member states in their efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, particularly in areas such as security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, water governance, and climate change. The organization operates across multiple countries in the Arab region and engages in various initiatives to facilitate regional cooperation and policy development. ESCWA employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by the region.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a vital role in supporting the Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster (CCNRSC) at ESCWA, focusing on food systems transformation and groundwater governance. The position involves organizing a regional food systems conveners meeting, facilitating a national consultation workshop on groundwater governance, and contributing to the development of policy frameworks and guidelines. The consultant will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, provide analytical input, and ensure effective communication of key messages and outcomes. This role is essential for advancing sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing food security in the Arab region, particularly in the context of climate change and resource management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support organization of regional food systems meeting: Assist in planning and executing a regional meeting on food systems transformation, including developing presentations, event materials, and logistical arrangements.
• Support meeting reporting on food systems: Finalize key messages and reports for the Food Systems Conveners Meeting and assist in preparing the final project report.
• Support groundwater governance national consultation workshop: Facilitate discussions among national stakeholders, ensuring inclusivity and focused outputs, and provide key messages from the workshop.
• Review and provide input to the Regional Policy Framework for SME Circular Integration: Collaborate with regional consultants to provide substantive input and guidance for finalizing the policy framework.
• Provide input to the final project report: Contribute to the project progress report on food systems, groundwater, and sustainability issues.
• Contribute to groundwater governance guidelines: Review and provide input on guidelines being drafted, focusing on the Arab regional context.
• Perform any other related tasks as requested by supervisors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in environmental sciences, public policy, food security/food systems, economics, agriculture, water resources management, or a related field. A PhD is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Additionally, at least 10 years of experience in research and analysis related to food systems, water governance, or sustainable development planning is required. Strong analytical and writing skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills, are also desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as environmental sciences, public policy, food security, economics, agriculture, or water resources management is required for this position. A PhD is considered an asset, indicating a higher level of expertise and research capability. Candidates must provide proof of their educational qualifications, as applications lacking this documentation will not be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in research and analysis related to food systems, water governance, or circular economy and sustainable development planning. This extensive experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of food systems and groundwater governance in the Arab region, as well as for contributing effectively to the various tasks outlined in the job description.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of ESCWA. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in all four areas of language use: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Fluency in French is considered desirable, providing an additional advantage in communication within the United Nations framework. Knowledge of French, while not mandatory, can enhance collaboration with French-speaking stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and expected to last for approximately 2.5 months. There are no additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation provided in the job description. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.