Economic Commission for Africa
Food Security and Sustainable Development Division

Objective

The work programme of the Food Security and Sustainable Development Division (FSSDD) is aimed at strengthening the capacity of African countries to mainstream food security and sustainable development principles into development policies, programmes and initiatives at national, sub-regional and regional levels, in order to achieve food security, sustainable livelihoods, poverty reduction and improved quality of growth, without compromising ecosystems integrity and productivity of the natural resources base. The programme focuses on issues related to: agricultural production and marketing, agribusiness, land management, rural financing and credit, agricultural support services, environment and natural resources management, environmental impact assessment, international agricultural trade. These activities are carried out within the framework of the NEPAD priorities, the MDGs, WSSD outcomes and other internationally agreed development goals. The Division consists of three sections: the Agricultural Production Systems Section (APS), the Agricultural Marketing Services Section (AMS), the Environment and Sustainable Development Section (ESD).

Duties and Responsibilities of Consultant

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Food Security and Sustainable Development Division (FSSDD), the consultant (s) will carry out the following activities:

•  Prepare analytical reports and conduct policy research on sustainable development and food security issues, with focus on systems of agricultural production, marketing and support services;

•  Prepare technical reports and policy papers on integrated value chain development of strategic agricultural commodities, with an emphasis on regional, sub-regional and RECs dimensions in Africa;

•  Conduct policy research and advocacy work on strategies to promote intra-African investment and trade in food and agricultural commodities;

•  Conduct policy research and advocacy work on land issues related to food security, sustainable management of natural resources and social equity;

•  Conduct research and formulate proposals for the development of strategies, policies and programmes as well as effective measures aimed at improving the financing of the agricultural production and marketing systems in Africa, the relevant industry and science and technology infrastructure;

•  Undertake in-depth studies on critical development issues of concern to African agriculture as they relate to the challenges and prospects of regional integration, globalization and emerging challenges and opportunities such as Globalization, Climate Change and Biotechnology;

•  Analyze trends, issues and challenges in international economics and development economics through policy-oriented economic research and the application of econometric techniques and modeling to analysis of agricultural prospects and policies;

•  Advocate for ECA support on capacity development at the regional and sub-regions levels in the areas of Climate and Agriculture, Integrated Value Chain Development, Agricultural and Agro-industrial trade;

•  Collect, collate and analyze economic research data; undertake rigorous sectoral and commodities studies through the application of quantitative and qualitative methods; analyze trends in production, consumption, trade and competitiveness at sub-regional, regional and global levels;

•  Provide technical assistance for strengthening the capacity of the various regional economic communities at the sub-regional level in the EPA negotiations as they relate to food security and sustainable development issues;

•  Identify measures to increase the competitiveness of African agriculture and its participation in the global economy;

•  Conduct policy-oriented research on food security, agricultural and environmental issues of interest to African countries and disseminate the results to policymakers and other stakeholders in the region;

•  Review existing policies, programs, and the strategies at national, sub-regional and regional levels, carry out integrated assessment of the three (economic, social and environmental) dimensions of sustainable development and provide comprehensive reports that contain accurate assessment of the status of and feasible recommendations to promote sustainable development in Africa;

•  Review, identify and develop sustainable development indicator frameworks and indices for Africa and produce application manual;

•  Based on the thematic clusters of issues for consideration by the review and policy sessions of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), review progress on implementation, identify challenges, constraints, good practices and lessons learnt, and recommend priority approaches and actions for achieving relevant commitments and targets agreed by African countries. This will be carried out taking into account NEPAD and other Afric a's priorities;

•  Design and conduct training at national, sub-regional and regional levels on institutional and strategic frameworks for sustainable development, trade and environment, and integrated assessment tools such as environmental accounting, environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment;

•  Participate in the organization and delivery of other technical workshops on various topics on environment and sustainable development; and

•  Develop policy advocacy and other promotional materials in the area of environment and sustainable development.

Qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agricultural economics, environmental economics, resource economics, economics or related fields with an emphasis on agricultural production, agribusiness, agricultural marketing and agricultural support services, or in environmental management and natural resources. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years experience is required at national or sub-regional/regional levels in applying the principles and tools of agricultural or environmental economics to developmental challenges, preferably in the context of Africa in at least one of the following areas: agricultural production and marketing, agribusiness, land management, rural financing and credit, agricultural support services, environment protection and natural resources management, environmental impact assessment, international agricultural trade and agriculture related sectors. This experience should be gained through involvement in research, policy formulation, programme development and management. Record of relevant publications would be an asset.

Competencies

Professionalism - Demonstrates proven expertise in policy research and advocacy related to agricultural production, agribusinesses, agricultural support services, value chain analysis and agricultural trade, and of the interface between environment and socio-economic development or poverty reduction; sound policy analysis skills; and good planning and organization of own work and meeting commitments conscientiously and efficiently. Teamwork - Demonstrates good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment. The consultant should be able to work in a collaborative way and in a team with respect for diversity . Technological Awareness - Demonstrates initiative in keeping abreast with technology and actively seeks to apply it to appropriate tasks.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English or French is required and working knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

Other desirable/required Skills

Well-developed computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet applications and use of the Internet are required. Computer skills in analytical tools relevant to agricultural production, marketing and support services, econometrics, and database/statistics/GIS applications are desirable.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested persons who wish to be considered for the roster are requested to complete the Personal History Form (Form P-11) and send it before 31 May 2008 by e-mail to: ecarecruitment@uneca.org . Kindly note that only applications submitted on Form P-11 will be reviewed.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).

After the initial screening process, persons found to meet the eligibility requirements indicated in the TORs will be contacted for verification of their academic and professional credentials. On completion of the verification process, those retained for roster will be advised accordingly. They will subsequently be contacted to undertake consultancy assignments whenever the need arises. The duration of such assignments ranges from one to six months.