Result of Service

1. The biophysical and economic modelling for the TEEBAgriFood country projects is supported, leading to more credible results.
2. The stakeholders from the environmental and agricultural sector are briefed on the project methods and results and opportunities for policy uptake are enhanced.
3. Links with the UNEP Offices are fostered leading to the mainstreaming and dissemination of UNEP-TEEB outcomes via Regional Office channels, as well as the opportunities for synergies to be developed with other UNEP projects and other UN agencies in the country and region. Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

3 months Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting:

The United Nations Environment Programme 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. Its 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. UNEP Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources are the basis of agriculture. The agricultural sector provides important benefits such as food for humans and animals, fiber for industrial and artisanal production, materials for fuel, employment and cultural cohesion. However, it is the main driver of the degradation of ecosystems, the loss of biodiversity, health externalities and greenhouse gas emissions, among others. Many of these impacts, both positive and negative, are economically invisible and do not figure in public and private decision- making. The UNEP Economics of Nature Unit (TEN within the Ecosystems Division hosts the TEEBAgriFood initiative which aims to is designed to demonstrate that the economic environment in which agricultural producers operate is subject to negative and positive externalities that cause a lack of understanding of their dependence on well-functioning ecosystems. The initiative seeks to demonstrate that the entire agricultural value chain (production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste) not only has an impact on the environment but also on socio-economic well-being, particularly of small producers, on public health and food security.

The EUPI funded TEEBAgriFood project is implemented in 7 countries: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Thailand. The TEEBAgriFood Framework has been designed to guide the evaluation of food systems and their complex linkages to the environment, society and human health. To create real change, this scientific framework of analysis needs to be applied at the ground level and influence current policies and practice. A consultant is required to support this application at ground level by supporting the stakeholder engagement and reviewing the methods and results that the national implementation partners develop.

This position is in the Biodiversity and Land Branch of the Ecosystem Division and is homebased. The incumbent will report to the Head of The Economics of Nature Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support is needed from a consultant to review the methods and the reports developed by the national implementing partners and to strengthen the stakeholder engagement in order to mainstream the results.

1. Providing technical and methodological guidance for the research partner to develop the reports and presentations to the technical and steering committees and contents of the online platforms.
2. Reviewing the English and Portuguese versions of the reports, policy briefs, press releases and articles.
3. Contributing to the policy dialogues related to ABC+ and Urban and Periurban Agriculture in Brazil, as well as applications in other project countries.
4. Providing inputs to the communication materials that will be used for internal and external communications.
5. Providing guidance on government structures and priorities.
6. Conceptualizing and organizing thematic sessions during TEEBAgriFood Symposia and private sector events.
7. Presenting the TEEBAgriFood work in public events and facilitating dialogues in workshops. Qualifications/special skills

A first level degree in Environmental Science, Social Science, Agricultural science or Public Administration, Economics or Environmental Economics, or a related field is required. An advanced degree in related fields would be an added advantage.
A minimum of two (2) years of professional working experience in programme and project implementation in the field of food systems is required. Experience of stakeholder engagement at federal, state and/or municipal level is desirable.
An understanding of the biophysical and economic modelling of ecosystem services in the context of food systems would be an added advantage. An understanding of the Brazilian environmental and agricultural political context is desirable. Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable.

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.

This vacancy is archived.

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