IFPRI is seeking an individual consultant to support the multifunctional landscapes science program on national agroecology plans.

Context:

The CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program seeks to generate knowledge and tools to support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient landscapes. This assignment contributes to Area of Work 4 (AoW4) on Policies, Institutions, Governance, and Social Inclusion. Within this framework, the work will focus on advancing understanding of the political economy of agroecological transitions and strengthening the evidence base on national agroecology plans. Agroecology has emerged as a key approach for transforming food systems, yet the design and implementation of national agroecology strategies varies significantly across countries. Understanding how these plans are structured, their objectives, and how they align with broader policy frameworks is critical for improving their effectiveness and scalability.

This assignment has three main components: (1) supporting the development of an edited volume on the political economy of agroecological transitions; (2) conducting desk-based comparative research on national agroecology plans; and (3) contributing to knowledge exchange through participation in a workshop.

Activities:

The consultant will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Support the development of an edited volume on the political economy of agroecological transitions

a. Edit contributed chapters for clarity, coherence, and consistency

b. Liaise and correspond with contributing authors to ensure timely revisions and alignment with the volume’s objectives

2. Conduct comparative research on national agroecology plans

a. Identify and select countries for analysis in consultation with the project team

b. Undertake desk-based research on the aims, design, and implementation of national agroecology plans, emphasizing how agroecology is defined, framed, and prioritized, and how these framings reflect underlying political, institutional, and socio-economic contexts. Where feasible, the consultant will be responsible for conducting semi‑structured interviews with selected key informants (e.g. policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors).

c. Analyze the political economy of plan formulation and implementation, including roles and interests of key actors (state agencies, social movements, donors, agribusiness, research institutions), governance arrangements, and sources of support or resistance.

d. Critically assess linkages and tensions between agroecology plans and other relevant national policies and strategies, with particular attention to contradictions, gaps, and implementation challenges.

e. Produce a comparative analysis highlighting key similarities, differences, and lessons learned

3. Develop policy-oriented outputs

a. Prepare a comprehensive report based on the comparative analysis of national agroecology plans

b. Develop a guidebook or policy-focused short piece to support policymakers in designing and implementing national agroecology strategies

4. Participate in a workshop

a. Engage in a workshop on agroecology policies and strategies, contributing insights from the research

b. Provide inputs to discussions and synthesis of key findings

Deliverables:

1. Comparative analysis report on national agroecology plans

2. Guidebook or policy-focused short piece on agroecology strategies and plans

3. Report on workshop

Duration and location: the assignment is anticipated to require up to 30 days [from the date of the signed contract] and the consultant will work remotely. The consultancy will run until December 31, 2026.

Qualifications needed:

· Expertise on agroecology, including the national plans and politics of the concept in theory and practice, as well as an understanding of how agroecology relates to broader food system transformation and other interrelated issues (e.g., biodiversity, climate change)

· Track record of high-quality peer reviewed publications

· Experience leading academic and policy workshops

· PhD in the social sciences

Preferred qualifications:

· Substantial publication record on the topic of agroecology and agrarian politics

Application: Please upload your CV, at least one writing sample and a cover letter detailing relevant experience. Submissions will only be considered if a writing sample, cover letter and daily rate in USD are provided in the online application.

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*We are unable to respond to all applications. Only the selected individual will be contacted*