Posting Title: Expert on public policy and outreach of TEEBAgriFood Mexico: Coffee and Maize
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 12 April 2023 – 21 April 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-United Nations Environment Programme-206625-Consultant
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Result of Service1. In general, liaison with key agrifood system stakeholders to incorporate sustainability criteria in the coffee and maize value chains, especially: 2. Identification of channels and means of dissemination of TEEBAgriFood study results, appropriate to the identified stakeholders’ needs, preferences, and interests. 3. Content and materials adapted for disseminating the results of the TEEBAgriFood studies suitable for actors and interested parties from the social and business sectors. 4. Activities hosted to disseminate the recommendations of the TEEBAgriFood studies among different public and private organizations, and opportunities for stakeholders to discuss and consider implementing the recommendations.
Work LocationHome-Based
Expected duration8 months
Duties andResponsibilities
Organization Setting The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative within UNEP focused on “making visible the values of nature”. Its objective is to recognize, demonstrate and integrate the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services, in monetary and non-monetary terms, and to promote the integration of such values in the decision making of the key actors of the public and private sectors at all levels. TEEB provides evidence on the costs of a “Business-as-Usual” from: (i) an economic perspective, that is to say for the economy including the generation of jobs; (ii) a social perspective, to include wellbeing and human health; and (iii) an environmental approach, to ensure healthy ecosystems and their long-term benefits. Biodiversity and ecosystems are the basis of agriculture. The agricultural sector provides important benefits such as food for humans and animals, fiber for industrial and artisanal production, materials for fuel, employment, and cultural cohesion. However, it is the main driver of the degradation of ecosystems, the loss of biodiversity, health externalities and greenhouse gas emissions, among others. Many of these impacts, both positive and negative, are economically invisible and do not figure in public and private decision-making. TEEBAgriFood is designed to demonstrate that the economic environment in which agricultural producers operate is subject to negative and positive externalities that cause a lack of understanding of their dependence on natural capital. The initiative seeks to demonstrate that the entire agricultural value chain (production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste) not only has an impact on the environment, but also on socio-economic well-being, particularly of small producers, on public health and food security. UNEP is also implementing the project “Promoting biodiversity and sustainability in the agriculture and food sector through economic valuation” funded by the European Commission Partnership Instrument. The objective of this project is to make nature’s values for food and farming visible and to promote change towards a sustainable food system that safeguards biodiversity and ecosystem services. The project aims to improve biodiversity outcomes in the seven countries in scope i.e., Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand. Under this collaboration the project will developed a TEEBAgriFood evaluation of the coffee and maize sectors in Mexico. The objective of this task is to increase the uptake of the results and the recommendations of the TEEBAgriFood studies in Mexico to enhance the sustainability of the agricultural sector in Mexico and demonstrate how the natural and human capitals are affected by unsustainable agricultural practices. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of UNEP-TEEB Coordinator and Head of The Economics of Nature Unit. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will facilitate the planning of consultations, meetings, and workshops with TEEBAgriFood stakeholders in Mexico. The consultant will play a key role in guiding and facilitating communication between interested parties, as well as in achieving the expected results during each event, to promote changes in public policies that (i) consider the Four Capitals; (ii) protect the provision of ecosystem services, and (iii) contribute to the sustainability of agrifood systems. In addition, the consultant will promote integrating the results of the TEEBAgriFood coffee and maize studies in the public and private sectors at all levels, including the executive and legislative branches at the national and sub-national levels, and promote synergies and collaboration between relevant actors. The consultant will work with, the UNEP Economics of Nature Unit in Geneva and Nairobi (later referred as TEEBAgriFood team) as well as with the UNEP Mexico Office and will support the afore-mentioned efforts with the responsibilities described below. 1. Prepare a work plan to be delivered two weeks after signing the contract to promote the application of the TEEBAgriFood results in agricultural, environmental, and social public policy, including facilitation methodologies for meetings and workshops, and activities with relevant actors. 2. Identify actors and stakeholders interested in integrating social and environmental sustainability criteria in the coffee and maize value chains (social producers and companies) and channels and means of dissemination appropriate to their needs, preferences, and interests; promote the dissemination of the recommendations of the TEEBAgriFood studies through different public and private agencies; adapt contents and prepare materials to disseminate the results of the TEEBAgriFood studies suitable for actors and interested parties from the public and private sectors. 3. Organize, prior to each meeting or workshop, a meeting with the TEEBAgriFood team to agree on dates, participants, and objectives; prepare supporting documents prior to meetings and workshops; moderate and facilitate meetings and workshops with relevant stakeholders; prepare meeting notes, summaries, and reports, containing visual or audiovisual materials, with contributions and comments from UNEP’s TEEBAgriFood team, with presentations and registration of participants. 4. Apply the Four Capitals Approach in all activities included in this consultancy and make explicit aspects such as gender, health, education, environmental services, and biodiversity and the tradeoffs between them in the different scenarios.
Qualifications/special skillsA first level degree in Economics, Public Policy, Environmental Affairs, Development, or related areas is required. An advanced degree in economics, public policy, environmental affairs, development would be an added advantage. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience is required, such as liaison with agencies of the executive and legislative branches at the national and sub-national levels, and promotion of synergies and collaborative ties with relevant actors regarding the design and implementation of public politics Knowledge on issues of rural development and public policy in Mexico will be an advantage.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral Spanish is required. Working knowledge of English is preferred.