Consultant- Environmental Component at Bioversity International

Position Summary

• The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is seeking to recruit Consultant-Environmental Component who will contribute to the compilation of innovations and best practices of investments, policies, and relevant livestock production and management systems that enhance livestock productivity while preserving public health and the environment, addressing climate change challenges and incorporating any successful One health approaches.

Terms of Reference

• Livestock systems are integral to the food systems in southern Africa, accounting for over one-third of the agricultural GDP. Livestock-sector development, however, can result in negative externalities such as increased greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss, animal diseases, and exclusion of smallholder producers. Addressing these challenges necessitates prioritization by public institutions, effective policy measures, and investments to mitigate negative impacts while promoting the sector's positive contributions.
• The agri-food sector holds strategic importance in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), influencing economic growth, employment, demand for goods, economic stability, food security, and overall wealth creation. The Livestock Development Program under the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP, 2030) provides a strategic framework to boost livestock productivity, enhance livestock management practices, and promote effective regional animal disease prevention and control measures.
• The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (ABC), and ILRI will develop the SADC Livestock Development Program 2024-2030, which will provide a strategic framework for guiding country planning and investments in the medium term to enhance livestock production and productivity, build resilience, and increase market access and trade capacities of the Member States.

Deliverables

• A document describing the interactions between livestock and the environment, as well as the interactions between livestock and wildlife in Southern Africa. This document must analyze the challenges posed by various factors, including climate change, in these interactions.
• A document that includes the results of a comprehensive desktop review and interviews with key informants aiming to explore the proposed innovations and best practices to enhance livestock productivity while concurrently preserving the environment.
• A document containing an evaluation of the policy and regulatory environment that influences both livestock-environment/wildlife interactions and the adoption of proposed innovations and best practices. This evaluation will be based on existing information and will include an assessment of the level of support for livestock production and identification of potential regulatory challenges.

Shortlisted candidate will be requested to develop a short document including a work plan on how to approach the deliverables of the consultancy, a work plan and timeline of the activities, and a financial proposal.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in livestock production, environmental sciences, or related topics.
• Good understanding of the livestock-environment interactions.
• Experience with systematic literature review.
• Good knowledge/understanding of livestock system dynamics and characteristics in southern Africa.