Consultant for Quantification of CGIAR Impacts for the period 2022-2024 – Environmental Health and Biodiversity Impact Area

Deadline for applications: 13 September 2024 11:59 PM CET

Background:

The CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy identifies five key impact areas:

1. Nutrition, health, and food security

2. Poverty reduction, livelihoods, and jobs

3. Gender equality, youth, and social inclusion

4. Climate change adaptation and mitigation

5. Environmental health and biodiversity

To effectively measure progress in these areas for the period 2022-24, CGIAR proposes to conduct five independent studies. Each study will quantify progress on key indicators (from each impact area) from the CGIAR Performance and Results Management Framework, using relevant studies and potential data sources.

The Environmental health and biodiversity Impact Area is aligned to two collective global goals:

• Collective global goal 1: Stay within planetary and regional environmental boundaries: consumptive water use in food production of less than 2,500 km3 per year (with a focus on the most stressed basins), zero net deforestation, nitrogen application of 90 Tg per year (with a redistribution towards low-input farming systems) and increased use efficiency; and phosphorus application of 10 Tg per year.
• Collective global goal 2: Maintain the genetic diversity of seed varieties, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed genebanks at the national, regional, and international levels.

There are five indicators by which to measure CGIAR’s contribution to the global goals:

• Number of hectares under improved management

• Number of km3 of consumptive water used in food production

• Number of hectares deforested

• Number of Tg of nitrogen application

• Number of plant genetic accessions available and safely duplicated

Objective:

The selected consultant will:

· Develop a methodology for quantifying recent CGIAR contributions in two key indicators for the Environment impact area for the period 2022-24, using or adapting the indicators in Results Framework. One would be related to the collective global goal 1 and the other to the collective global goal 2

· Assess the quality of data currently available for the selected indicators in the Environmental health and biodiversity impact area, and provide recommendations for improving future quantifications, including refining the formulation of the indicators when applicable selection or refinement, data collection methods and, assessment approaches, and evidence base development.

· Depending on the feasibility of the evidence base and proposed methodology, a third objective would be to implement the recommended approach for each of the two indicators, providing a credible and transparent quantification of CGIAR-related impact contributions over the period 2022-24.

Scope of Work

1. Work with the System Office Portfolio Performance Unit and the Environment Impact Platform team to select two key indicators from the Environment impact area to focus on the analysis. The indicator(s) to quantify should be either from the CGIAR results framework, or adapted from the results framework. Adaptation may be required in order to make quantification of the indicator more feasible, considering the data resources available.

2. Work with the System Office Portfolio Performance Unit and the Environment Impact Platform team to identify key studies that can be used to inform progress in one or two key indicators for the Environment impact area for the period 2022-24.

3. Collaborate with the System Office Portfolio Performance Unit and the Environment Impact Platform team to iteratively develop the methodology for indicator quantification.

4. Compile and synthesize existing studies relevant to the selected indicators (likely to include aggregation of ex-post studies, ex-ante studies, and projections) to estimate the total effect.

5. Ensure clarity in , and documentation of, method, assumptions, and evidence quality to maintain study credibility.

6. Present initial results to the Portfolio Performance Unit and Environment Impact Area team, and final results to CGIAR Science Leaders and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment specialists.

7. Deliver a concise and clear final report, including spreadsheets or other media used for calculations.

Deliverables

1. (Phase 1) Detailed methodology for quantification of well-justified key indicators, and

2. (Phase 1) Comprehensive inventory of existing data and data source including baseline date

3. (Phase 1) Interim report with initial findings and recommendations.

4. (Phase 2, if feasible) Final report summarizing the quantified progress on the selected indicators, methodology, assumptions, and recommendations for future improvements.

5. (Phase 2, if feasible) Spreadsheets or other media used in calculations.

Timeline

Phase 1: Develop methodology, assess evidence base and complete the initial quantification study by the end of November 2024.

Phase 2 (if feasible): Implement recommended approach for high-quality quantification, finalize study by the end of March 2025.

Requirements

The successful candidate will display:

• Higher qualifications (e.g., PhD, Master’s) in climate or environmental sciences, economics, statistics or related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience and record of very strong performance.
• Experience working on climate change issues in agri-food systems
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills and demonstrated expertise in indicator development and quantification; econometrics and modeling would be useful skills
• Excellent comprehension of the objectives and types of impact assessments, and the methodologies available.
• A proven track record of conducting similar studies.

Evaluation Criteria

• Relevance and depth of experience.
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed approach.
• Understanding of CGIAR’s impact areas and indicators.
• Proven ability to deliver within the specified timeline and budget.

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit by 13 September 2024, 11:59 PM CET:

• A cover letter that includes a summary of relevant past work and thoughts on how you would approach this study (no more than 2-pages long)
• CV(s) highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
• Examples of previous work or case studies related to indicator development and quantification.

Additional Information

For more details, refer to the CGIAR Performance and Results Management Framework available at https://cgspace.cgiar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/d86e16a3-d113-40d2-b46d-c94e3e758001/content

Benefits

CGIAR is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-colour, multi-generational, and multi-disciplinary, collegial working environment, with a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible working arrangements. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.