International Consultant for Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Food Security

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. Established in 1972, UNEP has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it operates in over 150 countries with a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. UNEP has been actively involved in addressing environmental threats to human well-being, particularly in conflict and disaster situations, since the establishment of its Disasters and Conflicts Branch in 199

• This branch collaborates with various national governments and partners in the UN system to deliver high-quality environmental expertise and has a strong track record of innovative approaches to complex multidimensional problems. UNEP's recent partnership with the European Union aims to enhance climate-security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security resilience in fragile regions, focusing on local actors as change agents and promoting cross-border solutions to climate-related security risks.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to research, assess, and recommend viable, climate-resilient strategies for agriculture and food security tailored to the specific environmental and socio-economic context of the Abyei region. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive contextual analysis, including agro-ecological zoning, prevailing agricultural practices, and climate-related challenges such as flooding and drought. The consultant will identify and recommend adaptive agricultural options, including suitable alternative crops, improved seed varieties, and sustainable cultivation techniques for flood-prone areas. The work is expected to be home-based and will last for approximately 2.5 months, from July to September. The consultant will be supervised by the EU-UNEP Climate Change and Security Partnership Programme Manager based in Geneva, ensuring that the strategies developed are context-specific and actionable.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a contextual analysis of agroecological conditions, climate-related challenges (e.g., flooding), and prevailing agricultural practices in the Abyei region. This includes: a. Comprehensive analysis of Abyei’s agro-ecological zones, soil types, and historical climate trends, building on existing scientific literature and local climate data; b. Documentation of traditional farming and food production practices, crop varieties, seasonality, and crop cycles; c. Assessment of the historical and future impacts of climate change on the viability and productivity of existing crops and food systems.
• Identify and evaluate viable climate-adaptive options for agriculture and food security, such as alternative crops, improved seed varieties, and sustainable cultivation techniques. Prepare a draft technical report presenting key findings and recommended adaptation strategies, including: a. Scientific evaluation of alternative crops and seed varieties suitable for the Abyei context; b. Recommendations on sustainable agricultural techniques for improved food production.
• Revise and finalize the technical report by integrating inputs from relevant stakeholders, resulting in a practical set of recommendations for planning and implementation.

Required Qualifications:
• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Agronomy, Agroecology, Crop Science, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Environmental Science, or a closely related field. A degree in Rural Development or Natural Resource Management may also be considered with relevant experience. • A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in agroecological systems, sustainable land and crop management, or climate-resilient agriculture is required. • Proven knowledge of climate-smart agricultural practices, including drought- and flood-adaptive cropping systems, improved seed technologies, and sustainable land management in semi-arid and flood-prone environments is required. • Experience working with smallholder farmers, community-based organizations, or local extension services in the design or adaptation of agricultural practices is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant fields such as Agronomy, Agroecology, Crop Science, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Environmental Science, or closely related disciplines. A degree in Rural Development or Natural Resource Management may also be acceptable if the candidate demonstrates substantial experience in agricultural systems, particularly in contexts vulnerable to climate change or flooding.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in agroecological systems, sustainable land and crop management, or climate-resilient agriculture. Candidates should have proven knowledge of climate-smart agricultural practices and experience working with smallholder farmers and community-based organizations in conflict-sensitive environments.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic and/or experience conducting fieldwork with Dinka-speaking communities would be considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 2.5 months, from July to September. The position is home-based, and there are no fees associated with the recruitment process. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and it does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.