Sustainable Food Systems Consultant

Result of Service

To strengthen the work of UNEP Regional Office for Europe in the area of sustainable food systems and advocate for strengthening sustainable food systems in the region of Europe and Central Asia.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. UNEP’s mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

In line with its Medium-Term Strategy (2022-25), UNEP supports governments, regional organizations and UN entities in designing and implementing best-practice policies to address climate impacts, biodiversity loss and pollution. UNEP’s Ecosystems division identifies emerging environmental stressors, and works through UN partners to promote resilience, sustainable governance and management of natural resources and ecosystems in crisis-affected states and regions. The Regional Office for Europe is guided by UNEP’s new delivery model and provides strategic and political engagement at the country level and works closely with the UN Country Teams (UNCT) and the UN Resident Coordinator’s offices (RCO) through the Issue Based Coalitions (IBC) on Sustainable Food Systems and on Environment and Climate change.

Objectives:

The consultant will provide strategic advice on country priorities and opportunities for enhancing sustainable food systems in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region and supports the capacity building and high-level political commitment from member states to strengthen sustainable food systems through the Issue-Based Coalition on Sustainable food systems as per UNEP’s new delivery model.

Outputs:
• Output 1: Produce political analysis on food systems and food systems policies in 4 selected target countries (Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Serbia) and identify entry points from the perspective of UNEP SFS focus areas, key processes and opportunities for enhancing sustainable food systems.
• Output 2: To support the regional UNCTs and ROCs and to facilitate multisectoral cooperation, in particular between the Ministries of Agriculture and Environmental Protection RCOs, develop policy briefs on e.g. the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and COP27 agreements from the perspective of sustainable food systems in the ECA region.
• Output 3: With others in the team, organize a capacity building session/webinar targeted to ECA UN Country Teams on e.g. the implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and COP27 agreements.

Results/outcomes:
• Political analysis on 4 target countries has been produced.
• At least 4 opportunities/project proposals and options for UNEP’s role in the field of sustainable food systems have been identified and drafted.
• Policy brief on e.g. the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework from the perspective of sustainable food systems in the ECA region has been produced and shared with the IBC on Sustainable Food Systems and relevant UNCTs.
• Capacity building session/webinar on e.g. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework / COP27 implementation from the perspective of sustainable food systems has been organized as part of the Issue Based Coalition on Sustainable Food systems.

Performance indicators:
· Outputs are delivered in a timely fashion and of high quality;
· Communications in dealing with partners are professional and systematic;
· Problem/issues for achieving results are identified early-on and workable solutions proposed;

The consultant will report to Programme Management Officer, Europe Office.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications:
Academic Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Economics, or a similar discipline is preferable. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Professional Experience:
• A minimum of seven years in a relevant field of work, with a focus on sustainable food systems and agriculture is required.
• Proven experience working on the mainstreaming environment into national and/or regional policies.
• Experience in data collection, data analysis and/or undertaking research is required.
• Knowledge on the Central Asian region, especially in terms of agricultural and environmental policies is required
• Experience working with the UN is considered an asset

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.