APRI is looking for a Mainstreaming Climate Action into Agriculture and Food Security-Consultant (remote short term opportunity): Apply!
Application Deadline: 30 June 2024
Background and Objective
APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute is an independent, non-partisan African policy institute researching key policy issues affecting the African continent. Its goals are to provide input to the German and EU policy-making processes on Africa and options on key policy issues to African stakeholders.
To do this, APRI taps into the expertise of African intellectuals, scholars, and networks, collaborating with a wide range of organisations at home and abroad to conduct policy research that looks beyond prevailing narratives and transcends disciplinary hegemonies to centre Africa. Its outputs include reports, policy briefs and short analyses with the goal of expanding to other innovative ways of disseminating its work.
APRI seeks to engage a consultant for a short-term research consultancy under its ‘Mainstreaming Climate into Nigeria’s Development Plan’ Project. This project seeks to support the Nigerian government in mainstreaming climate action into the fabric of the government’s development and economic planning, and will carry out a suite of technical, advisory and coordination support activities for key government institutions in its implementation. The knowledge produced and technical resources created via this project will inform the Nigerian government’s initiatives, projects, and programmes on climate action particularly on climate finance, climate adaptation and mitigation.
Scope of Work
Notable progress has been made on climate action in Nigeria over the past five years including the submission of Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to UNFCCC, passage of the Climate Change Act and establishment of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), initiatives from the Ministry of Petroleum and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on gas flaring and methane abatement, and the efforts of the former Vice President in creating the Energy Transition Working Group and Energy Transition Office. However, issues also exist such as the misalignment of targets and goals, overlapping and, at times, conflicting institutional mandates and existence of multiple points of interface with government, all presenting challenges to further progress.
Mainstreaming climate action provides Nigeria with a pathway for a low carbon sustainable economic growth that meets both its development and climate goal. It presents opportunities to raise the finance that Nigeria needs to support its economic programme. However, none of this is possible without putting in place the right policy, legal and regulatory framework, where institutions and other market players are clear on their roles, responsibilities, functions, and powers – a framework within which the players collaborate. Also of importance is the need for government institutions to understand how to incorporate climate considerations in their sectoral developmental agendas, and the opportunities that mainstreaming climate action presents in raising financing and achieving their sectoral goals.
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To explore these and more, APRI seeks to engage a consultant to produce a research brief on “Mainstreaming Climate Action into Agriculture and Food Security” to inform and guide the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security in mainstreaming climate action into their agriculture and food security initiatives and programs. The consultant will analyse the current efforts, projects and initiatives of the government and private sector in the agricultural and food security sector whilst identifying any climate specific initiatives, challenges and barriers, and opportunities for climate action such as through climate smart agriculture. This will be done through an analysis of relevant knowledge products including policies, plans, and other relevant material including news and media articles on developments in the sector, and engagements with relevant government institutions and sector actors. The consultant will engage and obtain the interest of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security in the research brief.
The research brief will investigate the following, among others:
- Review of the sector plans, policies, documents, initiatives, programs, and projects including relevant knowledge products to understand the policy framework, activities, and initiatives of government in the sector.
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of Nigeria’s agriculture sector to climate change. Identify regions, crops, and livestock systems that are particularly susceptible to climate-related risks. Assess the growing impact of climate change on resources conflicts and food security risks across the country.
- Considerations and opportunities for climate action (adaptation and mitigation) in the sector.
- Landscape of international and local climate finance opportunities for the agricultural sector, and guidance in developing a portfolio of climate related sectoral projects for financing. This includes the current and potential role the private sector and development actors can play in meeting these requirements.
- Alignment and coordination with government institutions, private sector actors, and development partners in incorporating climate action into agricultural practices. 6. Forward-looking recommendations on how to mainstream climate action into agricultural policies and practices, ensuring food security in a changing climate via the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security.
The Research Brief will not only be desk-based but will require a minimum number of interviews with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security, other relevant government institutions, private sector actors, and development actors in this sector. With the support of APRI, the consultant shall prepare and participate in convening to discuss the Research Briefs which may include presentations on the Research Brief. The consultant will also facilitate presentations and handover of the research brief to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in important topics on climate transition, climate finance, public policy, economics, and specialised experience in the target sector for the Research Brief.
- Graduate degree in a relevant field.
- Strong relationship with government institutions, development organisations, and private sector actors in the sector of interest is desired.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills.
- Independent research and consultancy profile, proven through research outputs and policy recommendations.
- Excellent oral and written command of English.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a single PDF file with your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and technical and financial proposal (in euros) to [email protected] with “(Your last name: Mainstreaming Climate into Nigeria’s Development Plan) in the subject line.