Development Coordination and Food System Consultant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the environmental agenda and promoting sustainable development. Regional Offices act as key interlocutors with governments and UN systems. This role supports UNEP's engagement with the UN-RC system and member states to accelerate SDG implementation, addressing the triple planetary crisis.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to provide technical, analytical, and coordination support to UNEP's Regional Office for Africa (UNEP-ROA) for the implementation of the environmental dimension of the joint Food Systems Project and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Ghana. The role will focus on strengthening the environmental sustainability of food systems, which is a priority area cutting across climate action, biodiversity, land and water management, and pollution reduction. The consultant will contribute to policy coherence, biodiversity integration, and the development of nature-positive food systems, ultimately supporting Ghana's transformation of its food systems in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and addressing environmental pressures affecting food security and livelihoods.

Responsibilities

Provide technical support for UNEP's implementation of the Joint SDG Fund Food Systems Programme in Ghana, focusing on food-environment policy coherence, biodiversity integration, and nature-positive food systems. Conduct policy, institutional, and stakeholder analyses, developing technical reports, policy briefs, and knowledge products to enhance food system environmental sustainability. Support the establishment and operationalization of the National Food-Environment Policy Coherence Platform, engaging stakeholders and coordinating with government and UN agencies. Lead the development of the Food Systems-Biodiversity Alignment Toolbox and related guidance materials. Assist with programme monitoring, reporting, capacity-building, and documenting UNEP's contributions to the Joint SDG Fund Programme and the broader food systems agenda in Ghana.

Work Experience

A minimum of 2 years of experience in sustainable development and environmental implementation programmes, projects, and activities, with a focus on ecosystems conservation and restoration, food systems, and environmental policy, is required. Experience working within international organizations is desirable.

Skills

Technical support, analytical skills, coordination, policy analysis, institutional analysis, stakeholder engagement, report writing, knowledge product development, programme monitoring, reporting, capacity-building, documentation, food-environment policy coherence, biodiversity integration, nature-positive food systems, food systems planning.

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