Development Coordination and Food System Consultant

UNEP’s deeper engagements with the UN-RC system and member states to accelerate the environmental dimension of SDG implementation to address the triple planetary crisis while simultaneously achieving socio-economic development.

The United Nations Environment Programme 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 Regional Offices represent UNEP in the regions and are the principal interlocutor with regional platforms, national governments, regional ministerial forums and the Resident Coordinator (RC) System at the country and regional levels. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Ghana under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), is supporting the Government of Ghana to transform food systems in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Strengthening the environmental sustainability of food systems is a key priority, cutting across climate action, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and water management, and pollution reduction. Ghana’s food systems face increasing environmental pressures, including land degradation, deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate variability, pollution, and unsustainable natural resource use. These challenges directly affect food security, livelihoods, nutrition, and resilience, particularly for rural communities. To support this agenda, UNEP’s Regional Office for Africa (UNEP-ROA) seeks to engage a consultant to provide technical, analytical, and coordination support to the implementation of the environmental dimension of the joint Food Systems Project and in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Ghana. This position will be based in the UNEP office in Nairobi. The position will have dual reporting line to UNEP-ROA and Head of the Food Systems Project in FAO’s Regional Office in Ghana. a) Provide technical support to UNEP's implementation of the Joint SDG Fund Food Systems Programme in Ghana, particularly on food-environment policy coherence, biodiversity integration, and nature-positive food systems. The incumbent will perform the following duties: b) Conduct policy, institutional and stakeholder analyses, and develop technical reports, policy briefs, and knowledge products to strengthen the environmental sustainability of food systems. c) Support the establishment and operationalization of the National Food-Environment Policy Coherence Platform, including stakeholder engagement, consultations, and coordination with government, UN agencies and partners. d) Lead the development of the Food Systems-Biodiversity Alignment Toolbox and related guidance materials to support integration of biodiversity, climate and environmental considerations into food systems planning. e) Support programme monitoring, reporting, capacity-building, and documentation of UNEP's contribution to the Joint SDG Fund Programme and broader food systems agenda in Ghana.

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in in a field related to environment science, food systems, conservation, natural resource management, engineering, project management, economics or related fields is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A Minimum of 2 years level in sustainable development and environmental implementation programmes, projects and activities, especially focused on ecosystems conservation and restoration, food systems and environmental policy is required. Experience in the international organization is desirable.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Not available.