Senior Expert – Environment Sustainability and Food Systems

Result of Service Analysis and evidence-building to develop environmental dimensions of sustainable food system transformation in West Asia

Work Location Beirut – Lebanon

Expected duration 5.5 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting, Purpose and Objective: 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. The UNEP Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) delivers advisory services and capacity-building support to countries to achieve environmental and sustainable development objectives. Food systems are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Without eliminating hunger and improving the health and nutrition of the world’s population, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development cannot be effectively realized. Achieving these objectives is also intrinsically connected to the global challenge of reducing environmental impacts from the production and consumption of food. Designing and implementing sustainable food systems policies and programmes in a systemic way can help achieve at least 12 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 was a critical step in getting the world back on track to achieving the 2030 Agenda. Political leaders, the UN Organizations, civil society organizations, academia, youth representatives, and the private sector unanimously recognized the need for a food system transformation. A transformation that squarely recognizes, values, and regenerates nature as a key backbone for a sustainable and food-secure future. The UN Organizations established a new Food Systems Hub in Rome to support that transformation in a more unified and coordinated way. This assignment will contribute to strengthening the environmental dimension of food systems and to one of the direct outcomes of the UNEP’s Programme of Work 2022 –2023, ‘Food systems support biodiversity and environmental sustainability’ (2.12). The main aim of this consultancy is to identify strategic entry points where UNEP can maximize the impact of food system improvements through policy guidance on nature-positive, climate-neutral and pollution mitigating practices, ultimately contributing to food security. This consultancy is based at the UNEP ROWA in Beirut, Lebanon. The consultant will report to the Regional Coordinator for Nature Action in the Regional Office. Further, the work will be carried out in close consultation with the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, relevant regional institutions, and experts.

Duties and Responsibilities: The UNEP ROWA seeks to engage a senior consultant to contribute and build on initiatives toward SFS transformation. The Consultant will perform the following tasks: 1. Develop a strategy for UNEP ROWA’s engagement by identifying critical entry points and potential levers for action to catalyze transformation in food systems at the regional and country-level and to build strategic partnerships in the West Asia region. This includes an in-depth analysis of national food system pathways and food security strategies, legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks and mechanisms that drive food systems in the countries and available evidence, data, expert consultations, case studies, etc., 2. Conduct a targeted analysis of the policies, programs, and institutional actions relating to food and agri-systems that impact the environment (positive or negative) in the region and provide recommendations to achieve a nature-positive, climate-neutral, and pollution-mitigating food system. 3. Mapping relevant initiatives and projects implemented by the UN organizations, international and national agencies, development partners, donors, etc., to – identify opportunities for collaboration and enable the establishment of a regional or country-level working group/task force in the West Asia region contributing to food and agri-system transformation 4. Prepare advocacy briefs and outreach materials to engage with policymakers and UNCTs to strengthen the environmental dimension in food systems.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, food systems, environmental sciences, sustainable land management, or another relevant field.(Required) A minimum of 7 years of work experience in international development, analytical work in food systems transformation, natural resources management, sustainable agriculture or any other relevant field. (Required) Understanding of UN Food System Summit, SGDs, environmental management issues, monitoring and reporting, and other related aspects of sustainable agriculture. (Required) Previous experience in developing strategy and multi-stakeholder engagement and drafting technical reports. (Required) Knowledge of UNEP and UN system policies and programming on sustainable agriculture and food systems. (Desirable) Excellent communication and ability to moderate workshops involving senior-level officers/stakeholders. (Desirable)

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of the Arabic language 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.