Integrating Food Security in National Restoration Agenda

Integration of food security in the national restoration agenda consultancy

**This position is a short-term consultancy to begin tentatively on December 01, 2022, with an ending date of February 15, 2023.

This position will be based in Nairobi. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application.

About the Program:

**The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU), in which WRI is a core partner, is a community of organizations and individuals committed to the urgent need to transform the way we produce and consume food and use our land for people, nature and climate. FOLU enhances research and analysis, builds capacity, deepens engagement, and develops tools to support the transformation of food and land use systems that meet both local and global needs. The coalition is building a country platform in Kenya to increase investments and impact towards sustainable food and land use systems. WRI Africa, Vital Landscapes Pillar, is leading two the 10 coalition’s workstreams (nature restoration and reducing food loss and waste) that are central to FOLU’s contribution to Kenya's critical transition for sustainable food systems.

**Job Highlight:

**You will lead the work in contextualizing the integration of food security into the national restoration agenda, focusing on Kenya more specifically. You are required to provide state of art knowledge on how food as a key driver of degradation can positively influence and scale up restoration through friendly food production systems.
You will be supported by the Food Systems Transformation Expert at WRI Africa. If and where logistics are required, you will be supported by the project specialist and officer, the food program at WRI.
You will report to the Director of Vital Landscapes Pillar and the Food Systems Transformation Expert at WRI Africa.

This position will be a hybrid model of remote and in-office (Nairobi).

**What you will do:

Research and reporting/dissemination 100%**

• Using the best available data and research, contextualize and build relevant knowledge outputs on doing restoration in the right way i.e., in ways that it contributes to sustainable food systems – enhances food production and productivity in the smallholder farmer communities
• Outline restoration approaches that will increase soil fertility, protect and restore degraded land and enhances local food security (tree and non-tree-based restoration practices)
• Document the link between restoration and food systems transformation
• Assess and outline the policy gap in integrating food in the restoration agenda.
• Assess and outline the relationship between current agri-food practices and restoration
• Provide recommendations on potential tools, methods, and data for tracking food production as a driver for land degradation and deforestation
• Provides recommendations on potential tools, methods and data for tracking the impact of sustainable food production systems in the landscape restoration

Key Deliverables

1. The study report with clear and actionable findings. The consultant will produce a report that is analytically robust with compelling narratives and messaging for policy audiences. All the related objectives as described above.
2. The consultant will also produce a short issue (brief) for widespread circulation among policymakers with the aim of raising the profile of this issue, providing insight into the implications and potential risks, while suggesting opportunities and challenges for integrating food security in the restoration agenda. It should also include research gaps in this discourse, laying the foundation for further analytical studies.
3. The consultant will present the study findings to WRI Africa partners.

What you will need:

• **Education:**You have a completed PhD degree preferably in international development, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or related social sciences fields
• Experience: You have 8+ years of experience in conducting similar work, backed by deliverables – assignment reports, articles etc. You also have experience in conducting high-level context-based research, including conducting in conducting a systematic literature review and primary data collection, and presentation in various tools such as PowerPoint, etc.
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of Swahili is an advantage
• **Requirements:**You must have the authorization to work in Kenya. WRI is unable to assist with visa work authorization

**
Duration of assignment**

• This assignment must be undertaken within 45 DAYS from the time of signing the contract

How to Apply:
You must submit your resume (CV) and a brief technical/financial proposal (all in one PDF file) as well as a written sample (journal article, policy brief or research report) as part of the application by the date of **December 2, 2022.
**
You must apply through the WRI Careers portal by submitting all the requested documents to be considered.

About Us: Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

**Our mission and values:

**WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

Our culture: WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.