Consultant – UN Food Systems Summit – Remote

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

We are at a turning point – the contexts in which we work are evolving; COVID-19, climate change, conflicts and other shocks are driving increased hunger; technology is rapidly expanding opportunities for efficil systems; and there are more needs than ever to deploy tactical programs that boost agriculture systems and pull smallholder producers, including youth, away from subsistence into more commercial activities.

Purpose / Project Description:

Mercy Corps is shaping its commitments and influence strategy with respect to the UN Food Systems Summit, to take place alongside the UN General Assembly in September 2021. The UN Food Systems Summit is part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and is intended to launch bold new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems. Guided by five Action Tracks, the Summit will bring together key players to bring about tangible, positive changes to the world’s food systems. Mercy Corps’ currently sits on Action Track 5 of the UNFSS – Resilience of Food Systems, co-leads the Summit Innovation Lever with the World Economic Forum, and sits on the Summit Champion’s Network.

Mercy Corps is seeking a consultant with experience on food systems and food security, particularly in conflict and climate-affected environments, to help drive its engagement in the UN Food Systems Summit. This consultant will work in close partnership with Mercy Corps’ technical, policy and advocacy, research, media relations, and country teams to advance our Summit commitments, refine our positions based on research, and leverage the Summit to influence food systems and food security policy in fragile contexts affected by conflict and climate change. The position will help coordinate Mercy Corps’ engagement with the UNFSS across teams, prepare and staff Mercy Corps’ leaders to attend Summit activities, and help secure opportunities for Mercy Corps’ leadership to participate in Summit activities. The position will bring clarity and consistency in our engagement with the UNFSS, ensuring we are efficiently and effectively maximizing the opportunity to raise our voice and further influence on achieving food security in fragile contexts.

Consultant Responsibilities:

INFLUENCE AND VOICE:

• Develop an external 2-3 page policy brief, articulating Mercy Corps’ Summit commitments and key policy messages/areas for action with respect to food security and food systems in fragile, conflict and climate-affected environments
• Leverage Mercy Corps’ existing network with the Summit to secure one or two high-profile engagement opportunities for Mercy Corps’ senior leadership in Summit activities
• Prepare comprehensive briefing materials for the Mercy Corps senior leader’s participation in the Summit activities, including talking points
• Facilitate the development of externally facing written pieces, including for a senior Mercy Corps leader, to be placed around the Summit

STRATEGY:

• Facilitate regular coordination and communication across Mercy Corps team members engaged in the UNFSS, to ensure streamlined engagement in the forum
• Coordinate regularly with the Food Security Matrix team to ensure updated and streamlined inputs into UNFSS engagement.
• Provide weekly updates on Summit events and news to Mercy Corps’ leadership

PARTNERSHIP AND REPRESENTATION:

• Serve as Mercy Corps’ lead liaison to the UN Food Systems Summit
• Ensure Mercy Corps’ position and commitments are represented across all UNFSS workstreams in which we are engaged (Action Track 5, Innovation Lever, Champion’s Network, Civil Society Forum)
• Lead Mercy Corps’ engagement in the UNFSS Innovation Lever and Champion’s NetworkEnsure consistency and clarity in messaging and voice across Summit Activities, based on our commitments and position
• Actively participate as a member of the Society and Institutional Engagement pillar of the Innovation Lever

Reports Directly To: Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy in the UK

Works Directly With: Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy, US; Senior Director, Resilience and Food Security, Media Relations, Research and Learning, other relevant policy and technical team members, country leads engaged in UNFSS

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 5-10 years’ experience in food security, agricultural, climate, or other relevant humanitarian and development policy areas
• Bachelor’s degree required. MPP, M.A, M.S., or equivalent in relevant field preferred
• Strong verbal and written communications skills and organizational skills are required.
• Advocacy experience targeting multilateral agencies and processes, particularly the United Nations, and donor governments
• Fluency in English is required

Success Factors

Flexibility, ingenuity, people and communication skills are essential success factors. Ability to navigate dynamic processes, and work with multiple teams to draw out key policy messages. Strong ability to navigate UN Networks.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.