Background

HarvestPlus improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. HarvestPlus works across CGIAR as part of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). You may learn more about HarvestPlus here.

The negative impact of climate change on the nutritional levels and productivity of major staple food crops poses a considerable threat to vulnerable communities that depend on these staples for daily sustenance. Biofortified crops, enriched with their higher micronutrient contents, strong agronomic performance, alignment with farmers' preferences, and climate resilience, offer a the potential to play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable food and nutrition a promising solution for achieving sustainable food and nutrition. These climate-smart crops can improve overall health and strengthen the resilience of communities, enabling them to better adapt to a changing climate.

Over the course of two transformative decades, biofortified crops have positively impacted the lives of over 100 million people on-farm and reached an additional 230 million people through markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This success in collaboration with more than 400 partners, was built on the successful development of more than 420 biofortified crops.

Consultancy Overview

HarvestPlus is seeking an individual consultant with expertise in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) to play a pivotal role in advancing its mission. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing a comprehensive CSA portfolio and programming centered on biofortified crops, focusing on their unique value proposition in the context of adaptation and mitigation potential in the face of climate change.

The consultant's deliverables will cover the following themes:

Portfolio and programming development:

• Literature Review: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on biofortified crops and other nutritious food crops to identify opportunities to integrate them into climate-smart agriculture (CSA) programs.
• Value Proposition Development: Develop a compelling value proposition for key stakeholders across the value chain, highlighting biofortified crops and other nutritious food crops that can enhance impact and adress multiple challenges in Asia and Africa. Focus particularly on improving nutritional outcomes and bolstering resilience to climate change in low- and middle-income countries facing high levels of undernutrition.
  
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify and map potential stakeholders within the CSA domain. Foster collaboration and facilitate partnerships to maximize the impact of biofortified crops and other nutritious food crops.
  
• Identifying Funding Sources: Identify funding opportunities within the CSA landscape to support and expand initiatives involving biofortified crops.
  

Specific Deliverables

• Comprehensive Report: Deliver a detailed report, outlining the research methods, findings, and an extended CSA portfolio. Include value propositions, assessments, and recommendations for CSA-focused on both adaptation and mitigation.
• Stakeholder Discussion: Organize and lead focused group discussions/meetings with relevant stakeholders to gather insights and refine strategies.
• Strategic Framework: Develop a detailed framework document, outlining strategies, objectives, and action plans for CSA initiatives.
• Technical Support: Provide technical guidance and support in the implementation of CSA projects, including the development of training materials and conducting workshops.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree in agriculture, environmental science, or a related field
• Experience: Proven expertise in CSA, sustainable farming, and rural development projects
• Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in conducting assessments, developing strategies and programs, and providing technical assistance in agricultural projects
  
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret scientific data and research findings
  
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
  
• Knowledge: Working knowledge of current public health nutritional issues associated with climate change, food systems, and food and nutritional security