Climate-Smart Agriculture Specialist

Result of ServiceThe objective of this consultancy is to research, assess and recommend viable, climate-resilient strategies for agriculture and food security, tailored to the specific environmental and socio-economic context of the Abyei region. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive contextual analysis, including agro-ecological zoning, prevailing agricultural practices, and climate-related challenges such as flooding and drought. Based on field validation and scientific evaluation, the consultant will identify and recommend adaptive agricultural options, such as – for example – including suitable alternative crops, improved seed varieties, and sustainable cultivation techniques for flood-prone areas. Work LocationHome based Expected duration2.5 months (July-Sep) Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. Minimizing environmental threats to human well-being from the environmental dimensions of conflicts and disasters has been a key priority for UNEP since 1999, when the Disasters and Conflicts Branch was established to deliver high-quality environmental expertise to national governments and partners in the UN system that work to respond to and prevent crisis. With offices in different HQ and field duty stations, the Branch also has a strong track record of partnering with a broad range of actors and organizations – both within and outside the UN system – to develop, test and disseminate innovative approaches to complex multidimensional problems. Within the Disasters and Conflicts Branch, the Policy and Analysis Unit delivers politically informed and context-specific analysis, policy advice, and programming aimed at supporting partners to prevent conflict, sustain peace, and build resilience to linked environmental, climate change and conflict crises. In 2017, the Unit established a strategic partnership with the European Union to support fragile and crisis-affected regions, countries and communities to address the climate and environmental risks that contribute to conflict and instability. In late 2023, UNEP and the EU agreed to strengthen their Partnership on Climate Change, Environment and Security by extending its geographical scope to new regions, prioritizing local actors as change agents, and connecting these actors into networks of practitioners at regional and transregional levels. This new phase of engagement, running from 2024 to 2027, calls for enhancing the visibility, accessibility and dissemination of the Partnership’s work and results to a broader range of audiences. The EU-UNEP Partnership will contribute to strengthening climate-security resilience in fragile regions by delivering policy-relevant analysis, technical expertise, and support to local actors as key change agents. By expanding regional and transregional collaboration, the Partnership will facilitate knowledge exchange and promote cross-border solutions to address climate-related security risks. Additionally, it will enhance evidence-based decision-making by improving data accessibility and ensuring that findings are effectively disseminated to policymakers, practitioners, and affected communities. Within the EU-UNEP Partnership framework, UNEP in partnership with the UN’s peacekeeping and political missions for the Horn of Africa is bringing its expertise to Abyei area, a territory disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, to support inter-communal dialogue and resilience-building interventions addressing livelihoods and food security. It also aims to support the integration of climate risk analysis into sub-national development and peacebuilding planning. This includes capacity-building for local stakeholders, support for climate-sensitive and smart solutions, and the creation of inclusive, community-driven solutions. Under the direct supervision of the EU-UNEP Climate Change and Security Partnership Programme Manager, based in Geneva, UNEP is looking for an international consultant to assess and develop viable, climate-resilient strategies for agriculture and food security, tailored to the specific environmental and socio-economic context of the Abyei region who will perform the following tasks: 1. Conduct a contextual analysis of agroecological conditions, climate-related challenges (e.g. flooding), and prevailing agricultural practices in the Abyei region. This should include, at a minimum: a. Comprehensive analysis of Abyei’s agro-ecological zones, including soil types and historical climate trends (rainfall patterns, temperature ranges) building on existing scientific literature (including UNEP’s recent assessment) and local climate data, where available; b. Documentation of traditional farming and food production practices in Abyei, crop varieties, seasonality and crop cycles; and c. Assessment of the historical and future impacts of climate change (drought, erratic rains, flooding, temperature increases) on the viability and productivity of existing crops, farming and food systems in Abyei. 2. Identify and evaluate viable climate-adaptive options for agriculture and food security, for instance alternative crops or food sources, improved seed varieties, and sustainable cultivation techniques suitable for flood-prone environments, and prepare a draft technical report presenting key findings and recommended adaptation strategies. This should include, at a minimum: a. Scientific evaluation of alternative crops and seed varieties suitable for the Abyei context (e.g., sorghum varieties, millet, cowpea, drought-tolerant maize), including access channels and quality standards. b. Recommendations on alternative sustainable agricultural techniques for improved food production, including e.g. water storage and irrigation methods, fisheries etc. 3. Revise and finalize the technical report by integrating inputs from relevant stakeholders, resulting in a practical set of recommendations to inform planning and implementation. Qualifications/special skills• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Agronomy, Agroecology, Crop Science, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Environmental Science, or a closely related field. • A degree in Rural Development or Natural Resource Management may also be considered, provided the candidate can demonstrate substantive experience applying these disciplines to agricultural systems, particularly in climate-vulnerable or flood-prone contexts. • A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in agroecological systems, sustainable land and crop management, or climate-resilient agriculture is required; • Proven knowledge of climate-smart agricultural practices, including drought- and flood-adaptive cropping systems, improved seed technologies, and sustainable land management in semi-arid and flood-prone environments is required; • Experience working with smallholder farmers, community-based organizations, or local extension services in the design or adaptation of agricultural practices is required. The following are desirable • Experience in conducting community-based assessments and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including vulnerable groups such as returnees and pastoralists, in conflict-sensitive environments. • Ability to synthesize complex field data into actionable recommendations and develop clear, well-structured tech. reports and implementation roadmaps for development partners and policymakers. • Proven ability to translate assessments into practical, scalable recommendations for programming and excellence in communications, analysis and writing skills; • Prior work in fragile and/or conflict-affected rural contexts, especially in the Abyei Area, the Horn of Africa or comparable regions; • Working experience in a multicultural environment including the United Nations. LanguagesFluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic, and/or experience conducting fieldwork with Dinka-speaking communities (e.g. Ngok Dinka)—through interpreters or local facilitators, would be considered an advantage. 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.