Technical Expert (national consultant) Food System Transformation in Jordan

Result of ServiceThe senior national consultant will work in close coordination with the RCO Senior Economist and relevant UN Entities’ technical focal points. The consultant will report directly to the RCO Senior Economist. Tasks of the senior national consultant include: Deliverable: Preparing the Report on UN Jordan Forward-Looking Analysis and Engagement on Food System Transformation (by 31 December 2025) The report will comprehensively analyze the following issues: (i) building blocks of food systems in Jordan (ii) mapping and analysis of UN Jordan’s ongoing and pipeline programs, projects, activities on Jordan’s Food System (iii) building cluster analysis by presenting a One-UN sectoral approach for the key elements of food systems in Jordan (iv) deep diving into the One-UN sectoral approach through integration, coordination, and mobilization to maximize the impact avoid overlapping across UN interventions (v) identifying potential projects for scaling-up that, at a later stage, could be presented to domestic and international financial institutions such as IFC, IsDB, EBRD, World Bank, domestic private banks, and donors. (vi) developing actionable recommendations to strengthen alignment with the Government of Jordan’s priorities in the Economic Modernization Vision 2022-2033 Work LocationAmman Expected duration1 Month Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: Following the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021, the international community has recognized the urgent need to transform food systems to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The United Nations Country Team in Jordan identifies food system transformation as one of its collective strategic priorities in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027, to support the Government’s Economic Modernization Vision 2022-2033 by addressing national priorities and gaps in their pathway towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Jordan, 12 UN agencies are either implementing or planning projects that contribute directly or indirectly to food systems transformation. However, these initiatives often operate in silos, with limited integration across sectors such as agriculture, environment, health, nutrition, and trade. There is an increasing need for a coherent One-UN approach that strengthens inter-agency collaboration, avoids duplication, and maximizes impact. Many of these projects include or reflect gender considerations in their design, targets, and indicators. However, they have yet to achieve transformative change for women within food systems, nor do they fully integrate women’s roles, needs, and priorities as central to a unified national approach to addressing this critical development priority. In this context, the RC Office will facilitate the implementation of a forward-looking analysis on Food System Transformation in Jordan to strategically position related UN’s engagement, foster coherence and synergies across interventions and strengthen alignment to Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision (EMV). The process will allow UN agencies and stakeholders to explore future scenarios, identify transformation pathways, and consolidate priorities under a shared vision. Importantly, this initiative aligns with broader economic reform and development agendas being supported by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which are increasingly prioritizing food systems transformation as part of climate resilience, food security, and economic inclusion strategies. The outcomes of the exercise will contribute to more coherent UN’s support and strengthened coordinated efforts with IFI-funded national efforts, particularly in areas of policy reform, infrastructure investment, and rural development financing. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of RCO Senior Economist and in close collaboration with UN entities’ focal points, the senior national consultant will undertake a strategic analysis and a forward-looking exercise to enhance UN’s coherence and strategic positioning in this area. To this end, the senior national consultant will prepare a report which includes an analysis of the current work of UN Jordan ongoing and future engagement; building blocks of food systems; alignment with the Government’s KPIs in the EMV and the Food Security Action Plan; identification of potential projects for scaling up through domestic/international financial institutions, and recommendations that contributes to the Government’s priorities in the EMV. The overall objective of the assignment is delivery of the UN Jordan forward-looking analysis and engagement on food system transformation in line with global food systems guidance and national strategies. Qualifications/special skillsA first-level university (Bachelor’s or equivalent) degree in Agriculture, Food Systems, Environmental Sciences, Development Studies, Economics or related area is required. An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Food Systems, Public Policy, Gender Studies, Foresight/Strategic Planning, or another relevant discipline is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience at national/international level in food systems, agriculture, development cooperation, or related programs is required. Experience in foresight/strategic planning, gender equality integration, or inter-agency coordination is required. Demonstrated knowledge of food systems transformation, sustainable development, and the integration of gender perspectives into policy and programme design is desirable. Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and organizing participatory workshops with government institutions, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and international partners is desirable. Excellent analytical, drafting, and reporting skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations is desirable. Strong ability to work independently under minimum supervision while meeting tight deadlines is desirable. Demonstrated skills in data analysis is 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.