Result of Service

The result of services is to support the Energy and Climate Branch in the development of a roadmap to decarbonize the agro- industrial sector in Morocco. In close coordination with UNEP and the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency the consultant will a) Undertake a Food Systems Assessment, b)Identify different decarbonization scenarios and develop a roadmap to reduce emissions from the production and distribution of food ; c) identify and perform a preliminary assessment of a demonstration project on waste valorization, and d) supporting capacity building and local outreach activities Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

7 months Duties and Responsibilities

Under the framework of COP 26 Energy Transition Council’s Rapid Response Facility, UNEP’s Energy and Climate Branch is supporting the Moroccan Agency of Energy Efficiency in the development of a strategy to decarbonize the agro-industrial sector in Morocco.

In this context a consultant is needed to perform tasks of technical, organizational and analytical nature, to support the implementation of activities of UNEP’s Energy and Climate Branch related to the project “Development of a net zero roadmap for the agro-industrial sector in Morocco”.

Specifically the consultant will support UNEP’s Energy and Climate branch in the development of a strategy to decarbonize the agro-industrial sector in Morocco. This will include : undertaking a food systems assessment to identify the status of the agro-industry sector in Morocco and estimate a GHG emissions baseline; identifying a pathway to reduce energy-related carbon emissions from the agro-industry sector , specifically from food cold chain and food processing; assessing the potential to develop a waste valorization demonstration project; and supporting capacity building activities.

The project will be implemented by UNEP’s Energy and Climate Branch in coordination with the Cool Coalition and the Food Systems Programme. The position is remote based. Qualifications/special skills

Skills: Has extensive experience on energy efficiency and renewable energy approaches , policies and financial instruments, as well as on energy project development in coordination with a large number of multi-stakeholders. Possesses strong analytical skills and the ability to proactively seek and identify relevant lessons and case studies. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence and flexibility when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in Energy Policy, Agricultural or Mechanical Engineering, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Physics, 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.
Experience: At least seven years of experience working in the development of energy and environmental policies and strategies. A very good knowledge of the sector in Morocco is an advantage. At least four years of experience in analysis of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy practices applied to the industry sector, environmental management, air pollution control, climate change infrastructure and/or sustainable energy. Experience in working within municipal and/or national government, public or private entities on energy or environmental planning policy issues is required. Experience working with stakeholders of the agro-industry in Morocco is an asset.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English and French is required.

Additional Information

The overall objective of this assignment is to assist UNEP’s Energy and Climate Branch in the implementation of activities in Morocco under the framework of the project “Development of a net zero roadmap for the agro-industrial sector in Morocco”.

This will be achieved through the following activities:

Activity 1: Undertake a Food Systems Assessment
Under the framework of the Sustainable Food Systems Programme (SFS Programme), UNEP has developed guidelines to support countries in the creation of sustainable food system action plans. These guidelines include a broad range of actions for better assessment, design, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable food system policies and programs by policymakers and stakeholders leading to better decisions and outcomes regarding livelihoods, health, nutrition, and the environment.
Building on this work and a compilation of international best practices , the consultant will undertake a food systems assessment to identify what is the present status of the agro-industry sector and estimate a GHG emissions baseline. The work will be performed in consultation with a local multi-stakeholder platform, who will validate the selection of S.M.A.R.T indicators and scenarios and who will be integrated by national and local government officials and industry representatives. The S.M.A.R.T indicators could include: i) Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ii) GHG emissions, iii) potential efficiency improvements.
The Food Systems Assessment will allow understanding the present environmental status of the agro-industry sector in Morocco and establishing a baseline of GHG emissions linked to the sector. This assessment will be the basis of evidence to develop the roadmap and to inform further discussions with stakeholders. The food systems assessment will at least include:
- A baseline of GHG emissions linked to the energy needs (process heat, cooling, power) for the production and consumption of food. A GHG emissions model will be developed bringing together emissions from across the entire food value chain, with a focus on emissions from the energy required by the sector for processing and distributing food. The model will look at the growing demand of food, and at the energy, fuel, transport, and packaging involved in processing the food and getting it to consumers. The model will be able to consider the implications of individual changes to the whole food system.
- Quantification of energy requirements and waste generated by each of the agro-industry sub-sectors.
- Environmental, social, health, and economic impacts of food and agriculture.
- Analysis of existing institutions/organisations and other stakeholders within current food systems.
- Identifying and evaluating existing policies and fiscal instruments such as subsidies, as well as initiatives, that affect (directly or indirectly) the outcomes of the agro-industrial sector in Morocco.

Activity2: Development of a Net-Zero Roadmap for the Agro-Industrial Sector in Morocco
The aim of this activity is developing a net-zero roadmap for the agro-industry sector in Morocco by exploring how the sector should look like in a net-zero world and what actions and policies are needed from the energy angle to reach that point. It will aim at understanding how and to what extent energy related emissions from the agro-industry sector in Morocco can be reduced and what could be the timeline to reach carbon neutrality in line with Morocco’s ambition to become a leading country in green energy and make the agro-industry sector more competitive and sustainable. The work will focus on identifying a pathway to reduce carbon emissions from the food cold chain and food processing industry by improving energy efficiency and incorporating renewable energy.

With the Food Systems Assessment from Activity 1 finalized, the next step will be identifying the main decarbonization measures for the agro-industry, undertake modelling work to test the impact of the various actions and develop different scenarios to reach carbon neutrality. The work under this component will include:

a. Discuss and validate the overall methodology with local stakeholders
b. The identification of decarbonization measures, from an energy perspective, to be applied in each sub-sector sector and their specific boundaries , e.g., improving energy efficiency in process heat, reducing waste, integrating renewable energy, improving efficiency and reducing refrigerant emissions from food cold chain, by-products valorisation and production of bioenergy (biogas plants, gasification plants etc.), etc.
c. The development of S.M.A.R.T indicators to be agreed with local stakeholders and relevant authorities, and that will allow policy review.
d. The selection through a multi-stakeholder consultation process of three priority areas/sub-sectors that are key for the Moroccan agro-industrial sector. The selection will be based on a set of criteria and the S.M.A.R.T indicators, they could include: i) Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ii) GHG emissions, iii) potential efficiency improvements. An assessment of the entire supply chain of these key sub-sectors will be performed with a focus in the food processing phase, including an in-depth analysis of the energy efficiency, renewable energy and waste-valorisation potential and applicable solutions to reach carbon neutrality. This work will help define different possible scenarios for decarbonisation based on the feasibility of application of the solutions identified for each supply chain.
e. Undertaking modelling work using results from section c) to develop different decarbonization scenarios and test the impact of the various solutions at scale. The scenarios will be developed, considering interwoven issues such as environmental, social and economic impacts, feasibility costs, etc. They will consider the different technology uptake levels and their GHG mitigation potential (high-efficient technologies, waste valorisation, renewable energy integration), their implementation potential (number of possible practices and/or projects, geographical distribution), the impact of national-level actions (such as amount of renewable energy in the general grid, improved soil carbon sequestration, amount of by-products diverted from discharge, etc), among others;
f. identification of bottlenecks and barriers (internal and external) that may hinder the implementation of actions to decarbonise the sector;
g. identification of potential necessary changes in the wider food system (i.e., upgrade of national infrastructures);
h. estimation of costs related to each decarbonization scenario.
i. analysis of policy interventions (subsidies, carbon prices, MEPS, etc.) and their impact on each scenario.
j. Analysis and consolidation of results. Compare scenarios to identify priority actions and the most cost-effective areas/sub-sectors of intervention. Identification of investment opportunities including options to attracting private finance and investment partnerships as well as best case private / public partnerships
k. Provide a set of recommendations and determine clear pathways towards carbon neutrality

Activity 3: Identification and preliminary evaluation of a potential demonstration project on waste valorization
Identify a potential demonstration project for waste valorization in consultation with AMEE, the multi-stakeholder food committee, and based on country priorities (e.g the governmental program 2021-2026 which priorities the development of a decarbonized and competitive industry)
Based on collected data: i) undertake a preliminary assessment of existing facilities looking at means to reduce primary energy consumption and quantify opportunities of waste-valorization. Undertake a preliminary cost analysis and identify a suitable business model.

Activity 4: Support capacity building and local outreach activities
The training needs of the country will be assessed through consultations with national and local stakeholders.

Based on this assessment training material will be adapted to the needs and requirements of the country and will be delivered through a workshop and/or a webinar. This may include training sessions on multi-stakeholder coordination, the importance of taking an holistic food systems approach to inform policy decision, guidelines to develop local sustainable food systems action plans, innovative technology options to incorporate renewable energy and improve energy efficiency in the agro-industry, opportunities and technologies for waste valorization, etc.
Development of outreach material (flyers and brochures) to disseminate project results and inform further policy action.

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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