Consultant on food systems transformation

Result of ServiceDraft assessment of the pathway implementation and food systems transformation outcomes Final assessment of the pathway implementation and food systems transformation outcomes Food System Transformation Pathway update Work LocationBeirut, Lebanon Expected duration4 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Objective: In the Arab region, food systems are failing to ensure universal access to safe and nutritious food in a sustainable and inclusive manner. Addressing these issues demands a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that considers economic, social, environmental, health, and institutional dimensions. While Arab countries have made notable efforts in recent years, significant challenges remain. The Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster at ESCWA plays a key role in supporting Arab countries in their food systems transformation journeys. This includes improving methodologies to assess food systems, identifying priority areas for action, and monitoring progress toward food system goals. ESCWA also facilitates Arab countries’ engagement in global food systems transformation processes, such as organizing an annual Food Systems Regional Meeting and supporting unified messaging from the Arab region in bi-annual global stocktaking processes. In Lebanon, national consultations on how to transform food systems culminated in the publication of the Lebanese Food Systems Transformation Pathway in March 2024. However, the recent war has taken a significant toll on Lebanon's food systems. Between October 2023 and March 2025, over 4,200 people have died, and over a million were displaced. Approximately 2,200 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged, and about 1.59 million Lebanese, Syrian refugees, and Palestinian refugees are experiencing food insecurity . This situation compounds existing structural challenges in Lebanon's food systems. The agricultural sector struggles to provide decent rural livelihoods and meet the food demands of a growing population, while scarce water and fertile soils are being depleted. Lebanon imports over 90% of the cereal it consumes, and currency devaluations have increased the cost of food, particularly affecting poor families. In light of these existing challenges, as well as new vulnerabilities and needs arising from the war, a thorough assessment of progress is required and the identification of new priorities to update Lebanon’s Food Systems Transformation Pathway is necessary. Objective of the consultancy: The objective of this consultancy is to analyze the current state of food systems transformation in Lebanon and to update the existing Food System Transformation Pathway to support post-conflict recovery. This includes documenting the progress on pathway implementation, applying the Food Systems Assessment Tool of ESCWA to evaluate food systems outcomes, documenting resilience strategies during the conflict and newly arisen needs, and providing a suggested update to the pathway. This will be done in close collaboration with Lebanon’s national food system convenor, her team, and key stakeholders, including local and international partners. Duties and Responsibilities 1. Analyse Lebanon’s Food Systems Transformation Progress: • Document the progress of the implementation of the priority areas of action outlined in the Food System Transformation Pathway. • Utilize the Food Systems Assessment Tool of ESCWA to evaluate the outcomes of the food systems transformation, considering multiple dimensions such as food availability, access, utilization, stability, agency, and sustainability, along with measures of resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability. 2. Document conflict-derived Resilience Strategies and Needs: • Document resilience measures and coping strategies employed by different food systems stakeholders during the conflict. • Identify and document newly arisen needs within food systems, including environmental damage, infrastructure and farm destruction, and increased needs for social protection. 3. Provide Suggested Pathway Update: • Develop and propose updates to the Food System Transformation Pathway based on the analysis and evaluation findings. 4. Stakeholder Consultative Meeting: • Participate in consultative meetings with stakeholders to present findings and discuss proposed updates to the pathway. Qualifications/special skillsMaster's degree or higher in food security/food systems, economics, public policy, agriculture, environmental sciences, or a related field is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 10 years of experience in research and analysis related to food security and food systems transformation is required. Experience in advising food systems policymaking in developing countries is desirable. Strong analytical and writing skills is desirable. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. 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.