UNEP Policy Coherence and Sustainable Food Systems Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, 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. Established in 1972, UNEP has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices and to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and integrates its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Job Overview:
This consultancy is situated within the Latin America and the Caribbean Office in close collaboration with the Nature Frameworks and Strategies Unit of the Biodiversity and Land Branch. The assignment contributes to UNEP’s efforts to strengthen integrated and systemic approaches for sustainable food systems transformation, with a specific geographic focus on the Yaque del Sur basin in the Dominican Republic. The SDG Fund Joint Programme, 'Powering the Dominican Republic’s Food System Transformation: The Scalable Model of Yaque del Sur', aims to transform the Dominican Republic agri-food systems by modeling solutions throughout the Yaque del Sur River Basin, with targeted and adapted interventions at lower, middle, and upper basin areas. Through an integrated basin-based approach, the JP will provide a scalable model to inform policy making and to guide ongoing, planned and future investments, aligned with key national policies such as Zero Hunger 2028, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP) and Meta RD 203

• The purpose of this consultancy is to support the delivery of the Outcome 4: Strengthened institutional and policy capacities to promote integrated and systemic approaches for sustainable food systems transformation in the Yaque del Sur basin of the SDG Fund Joint Programme. The consultant will provide technical, analytical, and coordination expertise to enhance policy coherence across food systems, climate, and biodiversity agendas, and to strengthen national and subnational capacities for integrated governance, planning, and reporting. The consultancy will contribute to national and subnational policy processes, capacity-building initiatives, and the generation of knowledge products aligned with UNEP’s mandate and relevant global frameworks. As part of Outcome 4, a Food Systems Policy Lab will be established as a multi-stakeholder platform to support integrated policy development and interministerial coordination across food systems, climate and biodiversity agendas. The Policy Lab will facilitate technical dialogue, evidence-based analysis, capacity-building and collaboration among relevant institutions and stakeholders to strengthen policy coherence and support sustainable food systems transformation in the Dominican Republic. The incumbent will work from home, with the possibility of in-person meetings and activities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, under the supervision of the designated Nature Regional Sub-Programme Coordinator within the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultancy will deliver strategic and technical outputs required to implement Outcome 4: Strengthened institutional and policy capacities to promote integrated and systemic approaches for sustainable food systems transformation in the Yaque del Sur basin of the SDG Fund Joint Programme. The duties include conducting a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the integration between food systems policies and environmental policies, particularly climate change and biodiversity. The consultant will map and analyze the current policy landscape to determine the degree of integration between food systems policies and key environmental frameworks, including National Adaptation Plans (NAP), the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP). Additionally, the consultant will design a roadmap to strengthen policy coherence through the co-creation of interministerial coordination and governance mechanisms. The consultant will also collaborate with the establishment and operationalization of the Food Systems Policy Lab, coordinate and convene three Food Systems Policy Lab meetings and related workshops, and provide targeted capacity-building and technical support to national decision-makers. The consultancy will require the delivery of various reports capturing the outcomes and recommendations from the Food Systems Policy Lab process and the sustainable food systems financing workshop.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in policy, environmental sciences, political sciences, international relations, agriculture, management or related fields, along with a Master’s degree in policy, environmental policy, environmental governance, sustainable development, agriculture, food systems, management or related fields. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental policy, environmental governance, environmental management, agriculture and rural development, sustainable development, public policy, project management, or related areas is required. Experience in sustainable food systems, working with government institutions, multi-stakeholder processes, and integrated policy frameworks is desirable. Experience working in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and/or Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic, is also desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as policy, environmental sciences, political sciences, international relations, agriculture, management, or related fields. A Master’s degree in similar fields is also required, emphasizing the importance of advanced knowledge and skills in policy and environmental governance.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as environmental policy, governance, management, and sustainable development. Candidates should have experience in sustainable food systems and working with government institutions and multi-stakeholder processes. Experience in the context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and/or Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in the Dominican Republic, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this position, as effective communication in both languages is essential for engaging with diverse stakeholders and facilitating discussions related to food systems, climate, and biodiversity agendas.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 7 months and is home-based, with the possibility of in-person meetings and activities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The position does not involve any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and the United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.