CCAC TEAP Agriculture (Rice Sector) Report Consultant

Consultant Finance & Economy Environment

Overview

Write a report on Digital Agriculture Extension Services and methane reduction in the rice sector.

You have:

• Master’s/PhD plus a first-level university degree in agricultural sciences, international relations, sustainable development, environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, and/or climate change, or a related area.
• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience working relevant on agriculture, digital extension services, rice sector, or similar is required.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing briefings and presentations is required.
• Expertise in the agriculture sector, and in particular on digital agricultural extension services preferred.
• Experience working in and conducting research in developing countries and an understanding of a range of country contexts is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accessible and concise scientific and technical reports for policymakers is preferred.
• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required.
• Additional knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The “CCAC TEAP Agriculture (Rice Sector) Report Consultant” will write a report of between 30 to 40 pages, and prepare a presentation which provides a comprehensive overview of Digital Agriculture Extension Services as a method to improve methane MRV in the rice sector; key geographies where these would be most effective; the upfront investment cost required; clear identification of the whole of useful life costs and benefits (distinguishing between public and private); an assessment as to whether the technology stands up as a private investable opportunity and, if not, the public policy interventions that may be required to allow it to be deployed; and insights into prioritizing investment opportunities. It would also deliver focused case studies of the successful deployment of best practices and technologies. The consultant should also consider exploring “archetyping” in their report, where possible.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, and representatives of the private sector, the environmental community, and other members of civil society. The CCAC is the only international initiative working on integrated climate and clean air solutions to reduce the rate of near-term warming. It focuses on fast action to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) including methane, black carbon, HFCs and tropospheric ozone. More information about the CCAC is here: www.ccacoalition.org. As of October 2023, the same team is providing secretariat services to the Global Methane Pledge. More information about the Global Methane Pledge is here: www.globalmethanepledge.org The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosts the Secretariat at the Industry & Economy Division in Paris. The CCAC Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) was established in 2023 to develop and share knowledge with countries about promising, innovative and underfinanced SLCP mitigation measures which can improve both climate and air quality outcomes. As part of that work, the CCAC-TEAP has produced a Working Brief on “Scaling Up Underfinanced SLCP Mitigation Solutions: Driving Innovation and Technology in the Agriculture Sector”, launched in Q3 2024. The CCAC Secretariat is seeking a “CCAC TEAP Agriculture (Rice Sector) Report Consultant” to expand delivery of the CCAC-TEAP work. This builds on the success of the Digital Extension Services for the Livestock Sector Report launched at COP29 in November 2024. The responsibility of the Consultant will be to draft a full report of between 30 to 40 pages, to expand upon Digital Agricultural Extension Services, (which is a focus area of the Working Brief), and prepare a presentation on the topic. This will be presented to the CCAC Secretariat, TEAP Co-Chairs, and the Board, as needed. The report will deliver a comprehensive overview of digital agricultural extension services as a method to abate methane, as they offer a transformative approach to disseminating knowledge and overcoming adoption barriers. The report will address the methane abatement potential of this solution through real-time information dissemination and improved reporting by farmers adoption of methane abating cultivation practices. The report will evaluate the current state of adoption of digital agricultural extension services specific to the rice sector; identify technical barriers to scaling the technology such as internet access; address the investment cost required to scale; clearly identify whole of life costs and benefits (distinguishing between public and private); an assessment as to whether the solution stands up as a private investable opportunity and, if not, the public policy interventions that may be required to allow them to be deployed; and insights into prioritizing investment opportunities. It would also deliver focused case studies of successful deployment of best practices. The Report will identify key geographies where the solutions would be most effective, and should explore “archetyping” where possible, e.g., on the applicability of a particular solution for a given rice production context (for example, lowland paddy rice cultivation in Southeast Asia) / set of geographic conditions and how this reflects context and conditions. It will consider whether the options being analyzed are viable in a range of country settings (with a focus on developing countries) to the extent possible and, where not, that this is clearly stated by the CCAC-TEAP. In the latter case, where possible, feasible adaptations to best practices/technologies for developing country settings should be identified/explored. This would help clarify for countries how a given approach and investment might be effective in a country's context. To produce the report, the consultant should conduct consultations on the given topic with relevant technology providers and implementers as well as other stakeholders (to be determined with the supervisor) to make the findings as accurate and grounded in research and latest knowledge in the sector as possible. Output expectations: 1. Prepare a full CCAC-TEAP report of 30 to 40 pages to deliver a comprehensive overview of digital agricultural extension services as methods to more accurately measure methane and nitrous oxide emissions from the rice sector and to link rice farmers to finance through carbon markets and carbon in setting platforms with a focus on developing countries. Elements to be identified in the report include: - geographies where the solutions are most effective - the upfront investment cost required; - clear identification of the whole of useful life costs and benefits (distinguishing between public and private); - an assessment as to whether the solutions stand up as private investable opportunities and, if not, the public policy interventions that may be required to allow it to be deployed; and - Identification of technical barriers to scaling the technology - Insights into prioritizing investment opportunities. - Archetyping on the applicability of a particular solution for a given rice production context (e.g. lowland paddy rice cultivation in Southeast Asia), the set of geographic conditions and how this reflects context and conditions 2. Conduct consultations on the given topic with relevant technology providers and implementers as well as other stakeholders, including the private sector and investors, (to be determined with the supervisor) to make the findings as accurate and grounded in research and latest knowledge in the sector as possible. 3. Work closely with Communications Team in design process, including providing list of illustrations and graphics needed and provide feedback and approve accuracy of technical information presented. 4. Deliver presentation to the CCAC Secretariat and a public webinar, in coordination with the Agriculture Hub.

Qualifications/special skills

• Master’s/PhD plus a first-level university degree in agricultural sciences, international relations, sustainable development, environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, and/or climate change, or a related area. - A minimum of 4 years of professional experience working relevant on agriculture, digital extension services, rice sector, or similar is required. - Demonstrated experience in preparing briefings and presentations is required. - Expertise in the agriculture sector, and in particular on digital agricultural extension services preferred - Experience working in and conducting research in developing countries and an understanding of a range of country contexts is preferred - Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accessible and concise scientific and technical reports for policymakers is preferred

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required. - Additional knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 20 days ago - Updated 6 days ago - Source: careers.un.org