Compensation: Commensurate with experience and rate history

Contract type: Short-Term Consultancy

Time commitment: Max 9 days: Between February and July 2024 / Online sessions: Feb-Mar / In person events approx. April, or July 1-5

Location: Online (home location) / In person event: TBD, likely Europe or Africa

Deadline for applications: Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Requirements

OVERVIEW

CGIAR’s (cgiar.org) global partnership of 13 world-leading research Centers provides solutions to transform food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. CGIAR is launching an Annual Flagship Report to synthesize its science to inform and influence global policy processes in the food systems and development domain. The Report will arm policymakers, regional institutions, and decision-makers with the insights, innovations, and data they require to formulate, develop, and negotiate evidence-based policies. The Facilitator will run online and in-person consultation sessions with key stakeholders (Internal and External Advisory Teams), and debrief and summarize feedback for the Science Managing Editor or Lead Researcher.

SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will facilitate participatory discussions with CGIAR/external scientists and experts in order to build a shared understanding and commitment among stakeholders about the Flagship Report’s mission, and to gather and synthesize inputs to design the report and its advocacy process. The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Liaise, advise, and support the report’s management team on preparation for the consultancy
• Design and implement an appropriate online design meeting process
• Plan and run a two day in-person design workshop OR sessions at CGIAR Science Week (July 1-5, Nairobi, Kenya). This will be dependent on planning and project progress. -Science Week sessions may include facilitation of audience events, such as panel discussions, or private meetings to plan Report engagement
• Produce summary reports outlining key observations and strategic and operational recommendations
• Work with Lead Researcher to ensure input helps finalize the report and advocacy plan

KEY COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE

• Facilitation skills with ability to elicit information, catalyse constructive dialogue and discussion, question assumptions, make recommendations, and diplomatically balance feedback.
• Experience in group facilitation, strategic planning, and effective use of communication skills to navigate through wide-ranging and sometimes challenging discussions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills, with experience in engaging in regional and global networks, and gaining the confidence of different categories of stakeholders.
• At least five years of experience in facilitating planning processes, especially in agricultural research or related fields.
• At least five years working related to science, policy and practice in the fields relevant to food and agricultural systems and their links to social and environmental issues.
• Experience with CGIAR or partners is an asset
• Fluency in English – both written and verbal.

TIMELINE AND ACTIVITIES: Details to be shared with shortlisted candidates.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates are invited to submit CV, letter with a description of how you might approach the job, your date availability/restrictions (including starting date, Feb-May, July 1-5), and proposed rate.

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.