Organizational Setting and Reporting The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with governments and partners to promote ecosystem-based approaches for sustainable development. This consultancy is situated within the Nature Frameworks and Strategies Unit of the Biodiversity and Land Branch. The assignment contributes to UNEP’s efforts to strengthen integrated and systemic approaches for sustainable food systems transformation in Armenia.

Purpose and Objective of the Assignment The purpose of this consultancy is to support the delivery of the Joint SDG Fund joint programme, Unlocking Sustainable Finance for NutritionSensitive, Climate-Smart Food Systems Transformation in Armenia. The consultant will provide technical, analytical, and coordination support to enhance policy coherence across food systems, climate, and biodiversity agendas, and to strengthen national and subnational capacities for integrated governance, planning, and reporting. The consultancy will contribute to national and subnational policy processes, capacity-building initiatives, and the generation of knowledge products aligned with UNEP’s mandate and relevant global frameworks.

Responsibilities Under the supervision of the designated Senior programme Management Officer within the Nature Frameworks and Support Unit, the consultant will:
• Conduct technical analysis and development of recommendation guidelines aimed at enhancing cross sectoral cooperation and strengthening linkages between food systems, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
• Design technical guidance and methodological approaches for integrated policy and governance approaches linking food systems, climate change, 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 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 ecosystems, 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.