CCAC National Expert in Silvo-pastoral Systems and Spatial Analysis

Result of ServiceThe CCAC National Expert in Silvopastoral Systems and Spatial Analysis will be responsible for: identifying and classifying silvopastoral systems (SPS) within Mexico’s temperate agroecological livestock zone; conducting supervised satellite image classification to map current SPS distribution, biomass, coverage, and potential implementation areas -particularly in degraded lands of template agroecological livestock zone; and analyzing barriers, challenges, and opportunities for SPS adoption. These outputs will support the development of a national roadmap for SPS implementation as a livestock mitigation and adaptation measure, aligned with Mexico’s NDC update process (NDC 3.0). Work LocationMexico Expected duration9 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 on the CCAC is available at: www.ccacoalition.org. Guidance on the CCAC’s National Planning Methodology for reducing short-lived climate pollutants is available in the Resource Library. Mexico has demonstrated its commitment to reducing methane emissions by participating in the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to cut global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels. Currently, the country has been estimating livestock emissions in 2025 and is building a roadmap for reducing livestock methane emissions to increase the mitigation ambition of Mexico’s NDC. This roadmap includes livestock sustainable practices being implemented in the territory (i.e. silvopastoral systems) Livestock production is a cornerstone of Mexico's economy and food security. However, it is also associated with deforestation, land degradation, and ranks as the country's third-largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 13% of total emissions. To counter these trends, efforts are underway to promote productive diversification through sustainable livestock practices. Mapping silvopastoral systems (SPS) across diverse bioregions is critical to establishing spatially explicit baselines for carbon stocks, pasture quality, and methane (CH₄) emission potentials, as carbon biogeochemical cycle vary significantly with climate and edaphic factors. The detection of degraded pastures is crucial since they contribute significantly to enteric CH₄ due to poor feed efficiency. SPS that include tree-legume and other high protein plants elevates crude protein and tannins, shifting rumen microbial activity, hence adoption of SPS in degraded areas reduces CH₄ intensity (according to literature, between 15 and 30%). For instance, silvopastoral systems (SPS)—which integrate woody vegetation into grazing areas—enhance dietary diversity and animal welfare, improve land and water use efficiency, and increase production per unit area. Additionally, they provide co-benefits such as carbon sequestration, emission reductions, biodiversity conservation, degraded land restoration, and improved livelihoods for rural farmers, ensuring long-term sustainability. Although SPS examples exist across Mexico, their exact number, spatial distribution, coverage and biomass, and typology remain undocumented, generating a critical gap for improving estimates in sectoral GHG emissions/removals. The CCAC is therefore seeking a National Expert in Silvopastoral Systems and Spatial Analysis, to identify presence, distribution and current cover of Silvopastoral Systems (SPS) within Mexico’s temperate agroecological livestock zone (956 municipalities, 337,965 km²). Also, the expert has to differentiate between SPP types per ecoregion and examine the barriers, challenges and opportunities for Mexico to meet its current climate commitments (NDC 2.0). This information will contribute to the development a national roadmap for establishing silvopastoral systems as a mitigation and adaptation measure for the agricultural sector, supporting the update of Mexico´s NDC (NDC 3.0). As part of this assignment, the Consultant will conduct field visits across Mexico´s temperate agroecological livestock zone to verify SPS on site, and to engage with SPS experts and local stakeholders to ensure the consultancy objectives are met. These trips, along with associated expenses (including transportation, accommodation, per diems, and other related costs), shall be accounted for within the total approved budget of the consultancy. Initial site visits have been identified for Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas Jalisco, Michoacán, Estado de México, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Chiapas, Puebla, CDMX, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Nuevo León y Tamaulipas. The final selection of field sites will be refined in consultation with the consultant and on the basis of the project’s technical requirements. Outputs: 1. Methodological adaptation report. Revised and customized satellite image photointerpretation and classification model for SPS detection in the temperate agroecological livestock zone. 2. Geospatial products. Intermediate and final maps obtained from the model application, identifying SPS types across the temperate agroecological livestock zone, with an acceptable accuracy level (to be determined in consultation with AGRICULTURA). 3. SPS Analysis Report. Comprehensive analysis of SPS presence, distribution, area, and biomass by type, as well as identification of priority implementation areas (focused on degraded lands). 4. Barriers and Opportunities Report. Analysis of socio-ecological constrains and opportunities of SPS implementation in the temperate agroecological livestock zone, that includes document review, expert consultation, and cost estimation. Qualifications/special skillsBachelor’s degree (or partial completion) in agronomy, veterinary science, biology, or related fields is required. Training in geomatics, remote sensing, satellite image classification, and/or pattern detection is desirable. - Minimum 2 years of experience in spatial analysis and satellite photointerpretation. - Proven ability to prepare reports, guides, manuals, or practical tools is required. - Knowledge in silvopastoral and grassland systems is desirable. - Knowledge in Python programming, R geospatial tools, and/or artificial intelligence applications in geospatial analysis is desirable. - Analytical skills and ability to collaborate with public and private stakeholders is desirable. - Strong written and oral communication skills is desirable. - Fieldwork experience and ability to engage with local stakeholder is desirable. - Familiarity with Mexico’s livestock sector and silvopastoral system (SPS) practices is preferred. Languages- Fluency in oral and written Spanish is required. Basic written English is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.