Policy Coherence and Sustainable Food Systems Consultant

The consultant will support the delivery of the Joint SDG Fund joint programme in Lao PDR to strengthen institutional coordination and learning mechanisms linking climate, nature positive and pollution free action with food systems transformation. The role involves technical, analytical, and coordination support to enhance policy coherence across food systems, climate, and biodiversity agendas and strengthen capacities for integrated governance, planning, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical analysis and development of recommendation guidelines aimed at enhancing cross sectoral cooperation and strengthening linkages between food systems, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), UNCCD land degradation targets, and the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
• Design technical guidance and methodological approaches for integrated policy and governance approaches linking food systems, climate change, land degradation and biodiversity agendas.
• Develop structured workshop methodologies, technical content and background materials to inform policy coherence and capacity-building processes, engaging education, environment, agriculture, and finance institutions.
• Provide expert advice and develop engagement strategies, including technical inputs for international processes (e.g. preparation for CBD COP17), and frameworks to strengthen multi-stakeholder governance across international, national, and subnational levels.
• Produce high-quality analytical outputs, including reports, policy briefs, guidance materials, and knowledge products aligned with specified Outcome and Output indicators.
• Identify, assess, and synthesize nature-positive, gender-responsive, and resilient best practices, commitments, standards, data, and frameworks relevant to sustainable food systems.
• Develop analytical inputs on financing opportunities and strategic pathways to inform future programming, including potential Phase 2 design.
• Develop monitoring and reporting frameworks, including indicators and knowledge management approaches, and provide technical inputs to interagency coordination mechanisms.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in agricultural economics, environmental policy, environmental governance, animal health sciences, botany, agriculture, food systems, 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 two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable food systems, environmental policy, climate and biodiversity governance, or related areas is required.
• Experience working with government institutions, multi-stakeholder processes, and integrated policy frameworks is required.
• Experience in workshop facilitation desirable.
• In depth knowledge of Lao PDR and experience with the country's UN Country team is desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken Laotian and English is required.

Skills

• Agricultural Economics
• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Governance
• Sustainable Food Systems
• Climate Governance
• Biodiversity Governance
• Policy Coherence
• Integrated Policy Framework
• Multi-stakeholder Process Leadership
• Workshop Facilitation
• Institutional Coordination
• Policy Analysis
• Governance Program Planning
• Reporting
• Technical Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement

Languages

English, Laotian