Consultant (Ecosystems Analysis) – CST I Full-Time

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The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

Background and Purpose of the Assignment

The World Food Programme’s Mozambique Country Office is going to conduct Ecosystem Services Studies (ESS), contribute to the revision of relevant Local Adaptation Plans (LAPs), co-design and implement Nature-Based-Solutions, and strengthen the capacities of relevant partners within the framework of its ongoing projects in Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo-Delgado provinces.

Under the EU-funded MERCIM+ initiative (Scaling up climate change adaptation and resilience capacities of local communities through nature-based solutions integrated with early warning system and anticipatory actions), is supporting the districts of Memba and Mossuril (Nampula) and Mopeia and Morrumbala (Zambézia) in assessing the value of ecosystem services (ES) and co-designing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as part of a broader strategy for locally led climate adaptation.

General Objective of MERCIM+: by 2027, climate affected communities from the targeted districts have their livelihood, food security, and climate adaptive capacities enhanced.

Specific Outcomes

• Outcome 1: Vulnerable smallholder farmers capacity to make agricultural climate-informed decisions improved and their agriculture production capacities are increased and diversified.
• Outcome 2: National, province, and district institution capacity to anticipate, monitor, and respond to climate induced disaster through Early Warning System (EWS) and Anticipatory Actions enhanced.
• Outcome 3: Targeted communities benefit from Local Adaptation Plans that include an Ecosystem Adaptation Approach, Nature-based Solutions, Early Warning System and Anticipatory Actions.

In this framework, the Ecosystem Services Study (ESS) contributes directly to Outcome 3, by generating knowledge and co-designed solutions that inform LAP updates. The study will combine spatial analysis with community-based participatory approaches to ensure that the findings are actionable, accepted, and replicable.

Under the Peace Building funded (PBF) project in Cabo Delgado, the action aims to strengthen climate-adaptive food systems and enhance the resilience of conflict-affected communities by applying integrated solutions, including access to quality agricultural inputs, climate-smart knowledge, financial services, market linkages, and ecosystem restoration through nature-based approaches. Specifically, the interventions on ecosystem services include an ecosystem service study, technical guidance/ co-design of the nature-based solutions and its implementation, including the capacity strengthening for project related stakeholders/partners. While the Ecosystem Services Study is expected to target Ancuabe district, the incumbent is also expected to provide some specific technical knowledge under other WFP-led actions carried out in Mocímboa de Praia and Palma.

• At community level, engagement with farmers, women’s groups, youth representatives, and community resource management committees.
• At district level, coordination with technical services.
• At provincial level, collaboration with directorates responsible for agriculture, environment, and planning.
• At national level, linkage with WFP technical units and relevant ministries (MAAP, INAM, INGD) to ensure alignment and potential for upscaling and replication.

Accountabilities/ Responsibilities (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Programme and the direct supervision of the Strategic Outcome 3 Manager, the incumbent will:

• Design the full methodology of the Ecosystem services study including the quantitative and qualitative parts (both for primary and secondary data collection and analysis).
• Lead the development and coordination of the participatory component of the Ecosystem Services Study (ESS), including detailed methodology design and planning of field activities.
• Coordinate and provide technical guidance to the multidisciplinary team of experts and local facilitators involved in data collection, spatial analysis, and community engagement.
• Facilitate and oversee the implementation of fieldwork, ensuring the quality and consistency of participatory workshops on ES mapping, future scenario planning, and co-design of NbS.
• Contribute to the analysis and synthesis of participatory findings and qualitative data, ensuring their alignment with modelled ecosystem services data (InVEST).
• Organize and conduct stakeholder interviews and consultation sessions at district, provincial and national level to incorporate institutional and technical inputs.
• Contribute to the identification and prioritization of context-specific Nature-based Solutions, ensuring their feasibility, alignment with community needs, and consistency with ecosystem functions and district-level planning frameworks.
• Contribute to the final drafting and consolidation of the full study, ensuring that all components (technical, participatory, institutional) are clearly articulated and aligned.
• Support the presentation of the study’s results to key stakeholders at local, provincial and national levels, including through workshops and dissemination meetings.
• Support co-design of the Nature Based Solutions and its implementation and provide facilitate technical workshops, trainings for strengthening the understanding and capacity of the stakeholders on ES and NbS.
• Any other related task as requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:

• Advanced University degree in, Rural Development, Agroecology, Environmental Science, Water Engineering, Agronomy, Development or other relevant subjects.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in the design, management, and coordination of rural development and agroecology projects, with a focus on food systems resilience and community-based adaptation strategies.
• Previous work experiences in Mozambique, specifically in Zambézia and Nampula Provinces are highly desirable.
• Experience in leading participatory research and processes.
• Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and align project implementation with institutional strategies, working closely with public authorities, NGOs, and international cooperation frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and coordinating initiatives incorporating Nature-based Solutions, including agroecological approaches, agroforestry systems, and sustainable energy interventions such as improved biomass cookstoves.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Solid background in agroecological systems, socio-ecological analysis, ecosystem services assessment, and the design of Nature-based Solutions within food security and land restoration contexts.
• Proficiency in participatory methodologies (e.g. mapping, future scenario planning, research-action cycles), applied to rural and institutional settings.
• Strong skills in project coordination, donor reporting, and interaction with governmental and international stakeholders at community, district, and national levels.
• Familiarity with geospatial analysis and remote sensing tools, and a capacity to synthesize technical and socio-environmental data into practical recommendations.
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.

Languages:

• English is mandatory. Portuguese is highly desirable.

Terms and Conditions

Type of contract: CST I

Duty Station: Maputo, Mozambique (and remote)

Duration: 11 months

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Reasonable Accommodation

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org

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