Organizational Setting The GEF Integrated Approach Pilot (IAP) Strategy comprises three programmes that were agreed as part of the sixth replenishment of the GEF Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa , Sustainable Cities , and Taking Deforestation out of Commodity Supply Chains .The Food Security Integrated Programme (FS-IAP) targets agro-ecological systems in the drylands of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) where the need to enhance food security is directly linked to opportunities for generating local and global environmental benefits. The FS-IAP Programme seeks to contribute to a paradigm shift in African Agriculture in the context of policy debates about how to feed a rapidly expanding population, one which emphasizes the importance of natural capital and ecosystem services.The intention of the FS-IAP is to demonstrate how these principles can be applied in practice across a range of contexts in SSA, with a focus on identifying proven multi-benefit practices, which can be scaled up; while promoting an enabling environment for scaling up via engagement of key decision makers at various scales. The FS-IAP consists of 12 individual country projects (being implemented in Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Swaziland, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Burundi) and an overarching regional project to support the country projects.The Regional FS-IAP Project Has Three Components As Follows1: Create and/or strengthen integrated institutional frameworks and mechanisms for scaling up proven multi-benefit approaches2: Scaling up integrated approaches and practices3: Monitoring and assessment of global environmental benefits and agro-ecosystem resilience Reporting Lines The consultant will work under the supervision of the Project Budget Holder and the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO) together with designated Project Task Force members. In close consultation with UN Environment Focal person for Component 1, and the other members of the FS-IAP Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) based at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the consultant will lead the establishment and implementation of a ‘Science and Policy Interface’ (SPI). He will facilitate liaison between the Programme Coordination Unit based at ICRAF, FAO and UNEP. Technical Focus The overall objective of the SPI is to identify and document best practices of:
National policies and strategies for Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and their linkages to food security;
Mechanisms for mainstreaming INRM/SLM that include agrobiodiversity and ecosystem services for food security;
Sustainable and innovative financial mechanisms and market opportunities for scaling-up.
The SPI will function as a multi-stakeholder knowledge exchange mechanism between IAP 12 countries and existing and relevant scientific and policy platforms and initiatives in the region that support innovation for sustainability and resilience of agricultural ecosystems at country and regional levels. In addition, the SPI will support countries participating in the FS-IAP on specific topics on a needs-basis, or by request of and funding by the country (child) projects.Tasks And ResponsibilitiesThe international consultant will be responsible for the implementation of the first component of the regional project, jointly co-managed by FAO and UN Environment in partnership with a range of other actors. The component will help to address institutional and policy barriers that prevent the inclusion of ecosystem services-aware approaches into policies and investments for food security, improved and sustainable smallholder agriculture and food value chains.Specifically, the international consultant will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:Coordination And Implementation Activities
Prepare and submit to the PCU the terms of reference, letters of agreements, work plans and other relevant documents for the establishment of the SPI, based on the consultation report prepared by Ms Anne C. Woodfine;
Provide technical inputs to the preparation of regional workshops, training materials and publications required for Component 1 of the project;
Organize workshops as may be determined by the PCU and stakeholders in support of project implementation;
Provide support to the implementation of other project components, in particular to aid linkage with the sub-component 2.2;
Support the management of the component 1’s budget in accordance with the agreed work plan and approved disbursal of project funds;
Act as focal point for liaison with co-financing partners in order to secure the committed in-kind and in-cash contributions for the Component 1’s delivery;
Participate in missions to the project implementing countries and provide backstopping assistances that may include the organization of in-country meetings with beneficiaries and relevant institutions; and
Prepare a report on the consultancy assignment
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree in agriculture, environment or natural resource management or any other subject related to the mandate of the Organization.
Seven years of relevant experience with international projects in the Region, preferably as team leader or project coordinator on themes focused on sustainable food and agriculture, natural resource management, environmental conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.
FAO Core Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
Work experience in more than one location or area of work
Extent and relevance of experience in coordination of multi-stakeholder platforms
Extent and relevance of experience in institutional and policy arrangements to support the adoption of ecosystem service- aware practices, such as sustainable land management (SLM) programmes and agro-environmental science based policy support processes
Working knowledge of both English and French is highly desirable
Availability for frequent travels
Demonstrated strong communication skills
Selection Criteria
Extent of involvement in project management and stakeholder coordination with focus on food security, resilience, SLM/INRM and sustainable agriculture
Familiarity with farmers adoption barriers to sustainable practices and capacity to propose ways of overcoming them (knowledge, policies, incentives)
Relevance of experience in capacity development assessments and/or in implementation of multi-stakeholder process and platforms on sustainable agriculture, preferably in Africa
Familiarity with policy support and advice on sustainable agriculture related strategies and planning frames
Ability to work with senior government officials, research institutes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities, etc. particularly in African settings
Proven team player able to work effectively across cultures and within and across organizations
Demonstrated problem solving skills and ability to build on existing knowledge to develop new approaches
