Result of Service

As a result of this consultancy, it is expected that:

Institutional and policy capacities for integrated and systemic food systems approaches in the Yaque del Sur basin are strengthened.
National and subnational stakeholders are better equipped to align food systems priorities with biodiversity, climate, and development frameworks, and to strengthen coordination across sectors and institutions.
High-quality analytical assessments, policy recommendations, governance tools, and capacity-building materials are produced to support evidence-based decision-making and policy coherence.
National decision-makers are better equipped to implement integrated policy, governance and financing approaches that support sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems
Foundations are established for sustained cross-sectoral coordination and future programmatic phases. The consultancy will deliver strategic and technical outputs required to implement Outcome 4: Strengthened institutional and policy capacities to promote integrated and systemic approaches for sustainable food systems transformation in the Yaque del Sur basin of the SDG Fund Joint Programme. Output 1: Strengthened policy coherence and governance linkages across food systems, climate and biodiversity agendas through the assessment of policy integration, identification of gaps and opportunities, and the development of recommendations to support integrated implementation.
Conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the integration between food systems policies and environmental policies, particularly climate change and biodiversity.
Map and analyze the current policy landscape to determine the degree of integration between food systems policies and key environmental frameworks, including National Adaptation Plans (NAP), the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP).
Design a roadmap to strengthen policy coherence through the co-creation of interministerial coordination and governance mechanisms. Product 1a: Diagnostic assessment on the integration between environmental and food systems policies. Comprehensive diagnostic assessment report on how environmental policies, particularly those related to climate change and biodiversity, are integrated with food systems policies, including agricultural legislation, food security and nutrition public policies, the agrifood sector and food systems pathways. The assessment shall identify gaps, overlaps and inconsistencies across policy areas, as well as institutional and governance barriers that limit policy coherence. The assessment shall also provide practical recommendations to strengthen alignment, improve cross-sectoral coordination and support more sustainable and resilient food systems, informed by engagement with key stakeholders. Product 1b: Assessment of the integration between food systems policies, NAP, NDC and NBSAP. Assessment report mapping and analyzing the current policy landscape to determine the degree of integration between food systems policies and key environmental frameworks, including National Adaptation Plans (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The assessment shall evaluate the alignment of objectives, targets and implementation mechanisms, identify policy gaps, redundancies and opportunities for synergies, and analyze institutional roles and coordination mechanisms to support improved policy coherence and ensure that food systems effectively contribute to national climate and biodiversity objectives. Product 1c: Roadmap for interministerial coordination and governance Document containing an analysis with a roadmap outlining actions, timelines, responsibilities and recommendations to strengthen policy coherence across food systems, climate and biodiversity agendas, based on the diagnostic assessments and a participative process. The roadmap shall include stakeholders mapping, proposals for interministerial coordination and governance mechanisms, institutional arrangements, communication channels and accountability frameworks to support integrated decision-making, facilitate long-term collaboration, reduce policy fragmentation and align national strategies with sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems. Output 2: Strengthened capacities of national decision-makers for the implementation of integrated policies, systemic coherence and governance approaches across food systems, climate and biodiversity agendas, including sustainable food systems financing.
Collaborate with the establishment and operationalization of the Food Systems Policy Lab, including governance structures, nomination of focal points, joint workplans, Terms of Reference and operational guidance.
Coordinate and convene three Food Systems Policy Lab meetings and related workshops to strengthen capacities for integrated policy implementation, systemic coherence and governance approaches across food systems, climate and biodiversity agendas.
Provide targeted capacity-building and technical support to national decision-makers to strengthen governance, cross-sectoral coordination and evidence-based policymaking, and to improve the integration of biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and gender-responsive approaches into food systems policies and actions. Capacity-building activities shall place particular emphasis on alignment with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), including issues related to soil health, sustainable land management, food loss and waste reduction, circular economy approaches and biodiversity finance.
Participate in the design and delivery of one workshop on financing for sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems, and facilitate dialogue among key stakeholders to explore financing opportunities and innovative financial instruments. Product 2a: Food Systems Policy Lab outcomes and recommendations report. Report capturing the key discussions, technical inputs, stakeholder perspectives, outcomes and recommendations generated through the Food Systems Policy Lab process, including the three Policy Lab meetings and related capacity-building activities. The report shall document recommendations to strengthen policy coherence, governance and cross-sectoral coordination across food systems, climate and biodiversity agendas, including biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, gender-responsive approaches, alignment with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), and issues related to soil health, sustainable land management, food loss and waste reduction, circular economy approaches and biodiversity finance. The report shall also include actionable recommendations to enhance coordination across sectors and support more integrated, nature-positive, resilient and inclusive food systems policies, commitments, standards and governance arrangements. Product 2b: Sustainable food systems financing workshop outcomes report. Report capturing the key discussions, technical inputs, stakeholder perspectives, financing opportunities and innovative financing instruments explored during the sustainable food systems financing workshop. The report shall summarize the main findings and recommendations generated through the workshop to inform future actions and collaboration on sustainable food systems financing.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

7 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The 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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). This consultancy is situated within the Latin America and the Caribbean Office in close collaboration with the Nature Frameworks and Strategies Unit of the Biodiversity and Land Branch. The assignment contributes to UNEP’s efforts to strengthen integrated and systemic approaches for sustainable food systems transformation, with a specific geographic focus on the Yaque del Sur basin in the Dominican Republic. The SDG Fund Joint Programme, “Powering the Dominican Republic’s Food System Transformation: The Scalable Model of Yaque del Sur”, aims to transform the Dominican Republic agri-food systems by modelling solutions throughout the Yaque del Sur River Basin, with targeted and adapted interventions at lower, middle, and upper basin areas. Through an integrated basin-based approach, the JP will provide a scalable model to inform policy making and to guide ongoing, planned and future investments, aligned with key national policies such as Zero Hunger 2028, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP) and Meta RD 2036. The purpose of this consultancy is to support the delivery of the Outcome 4: Strengthened institutional and policy capacities to promote integrated and systemic approaches for sustainable food systems transformation in the Yaque del Sur basin of the SDG Fund Joint Programme. The consultant will provide technical, analytical, and coordination expertise to enhance policy coherence across food systems, climate, and biodiversity agendas, and to strengthen national and subnational capacities for integrated governance, planning, and reporting. The consultancy will contribute to national and subnational policy processes, capacity-building initiatives, and the generation of knowledge products aligned with UNEP’s mandate and relevant global frameworks. As part of Outcome 4, a Food Systems Policy Lab will be established as a multi-stakeholder platform to support integrated policy development and interministerial coordination across food systems, climate and biodiversity agendas. The Policy Lab will facilitate technical dialogue, evidence-based analysis, capacity-building and collaboration among relevant institutions and stakeholders to strengthen policy coherence and support sustainable food systems transformation in the Dominican Republic. The incumbent will work from home, with the possibility of in-person meetings and activities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, under the supervision of the designated Nature Regional Sub-Programme Coordinator within the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in policy, environmental sciences, political sciences, international relations, agriculture, management or related fields is required.
Master’s degree in policy, environmental policy, environmental governance, sustainable development, agriculture, food systems, management or related fields is required. Professional experience:
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental policy, environmental governance, environmental management, agriculture and rural development, sustainable development, public policy, project management, or related areas is required.
Experience in sustainable food systems is desirable.
Experience working with government institutions, multi-stakeholder processes, and integrated policy frameworks is desirable.
Experience working in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and/or Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic, is desirable. Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks in the field of environment and development. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Fluency in Spanish is required.

No Fee

THE 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.

Policy Coherence and Sustainable Food Systems Consultant