About CGIAR

CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is carried out by 13 alliances/centers in close collaboration with thousands of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.

This consultancy will be supported by the Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

About the position

The Advocacy for Impact Unit (A4I) collaborates with Regional and Science Groups to work with, for, and through partners, to ensure research findings and evidence are used to inform decisions on national policies and regulatory systems, financial subsidies and incentives, knowledge management and dissemination systems, and international agreements and conventions. The Unit advances the creation of an enabling environment for scaling innovations, solutions, and technologies, and bringing evidence in support of the policy environment and investment decisions of private and public stakeholders at global, regional, and national scales. The Unit leads on identifying and coordinating action on global advocacy priorities, offering CGIAR’s key assets, knowledge and evidence on key issues and effort in high-level policy dialogues.

Reporting to Director of the Climate Change Impact Platform and Senior Strategic Advisory of the A4I Unit within the Partnerships & Advocacy Global, the consultant will gather and assess intelligence on key stakeholders withing the UNFCCC space. S/he will lead the coordination of the CGIAR-wide advocacy engagement plan at the 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) being held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November this year. The consultant will undertake background research to better understand how CGIAR science solutions align to priorities of critical countries and global partners, identify entry points and engagement opportunities, and coordinate the development of robust, coherent, advocacy engagement plans for COP29.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Platform Director and Senior Strategic Advisor, develop a comprehensive action plan for implementing the terms of reference within the contract’s duration. Develop criteria for selecting critical stakeholders for UNFCCC and undertake desk research on publicly available information (e.g., UNFCCC submissions, statements, etc.) regarding the UNFCCC priorities of identified country stakeholders and partners. Convene key internal and identified external stakeholders to: Ascertain a more detailed understanding of their priorities for COP29 negotiations.Identify topics of interest under negotiation at the COPs that could benefit from CGIAR positions and the key entry points in the negotiations where these issues will be addressed.Make recommendations on possible joint engagement opportunities. Develop a report on the priorities of identified critical country stakeholders and global partners, ensuring it is updated periodically and maintains a robust process of policy advocacy intelligence analysis. Work closely with partners from FAO and the World Bank on the operationalization of the Sharm El-Sheikh Support Programme for climate change negotiations and actions on agriculture and food security, including: Supporting the organization and documentation of regional workshops for country focal pointsEnsuring stakeholder intelligence feeds into and guides CGIAR alignment on climate engagementSupporting fundraising efforts for the programme. In collaboration with center engagement experts, and based on feedback from intelligence gathered, develop a CGIAR advocacy plan for engagement at COP29 with clear proposed activities, deadlines, and goals, and coordinate its delivery.

Essential Requirements

Master’s degree in social science, political science, international studies, or other related field. Previous professional work experience (minimum 5 years) in: Supporting policy and advocacy engagement in country and global decision-making processes.Supporting partnership building, learning and collaboration and connecting people and groups to ecosystems of support.Preparing high quality analytical reviews/ assessments.Design/coordination of advocacy plans, preferably with countries, international organizations and large international NGOs. Fluency in both written and oral English is essential, while fluency in another UN language would be an asset. Excellent knowledge of the national and international climate, biodiversity and/or agrifood policy processes Excellent analytical and report writing skills. Demonstrated success in undertaking stakeholder analysis and designing and delivering engagement plans in complex environments.

Desirable Requirements

Experience working for international research organizations based in the global south. Experience in evidence-based advocacy with partners based in the global south. Experience working with government partners and international organizations. Experience undertaking advocacy related to climate, biodiversity and/or agrifood systems transformation.

Terms of employment

This is a 6-month full-time consultancy opportunity from July to December 2024, renewable based on extended needs and requirements. All consultancy fees and conditions will be administered in line with the Alliance approved policy for consultants.

The position is remote, preferably based in Rome, Italy with periodic meetings to review the status of delivery at the Alliance Headquarters.

Applications

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