International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems: Support Team and Research Assistance

JOB VACANCY: 

Full-time member of support team of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food)

The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) is looking for a full-time staff member to join its secretariat and support the range of work undertaken by the panel.

IPES-Food is a new independent panel that brings together different disciplines and different types of knowledge in order to influence processes of food systems reform in various regions of the world. The panel looks holistically at the problems in global food systems, and is focused in particular on power relations and the political economy of food systems. The panel is co-chaired by Olivier De Schutter (former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food) and Olivia Yambi (nutritionist and former UNICEF representative to Kenya), and comprises environmental scientists, development economists, public health specialists, agronomists and sociologists, as well as experienced practitioners from civil society and social movements.

The panel provides analysis of food systems (e.g. through reports, briefs and other outputs), adopting a systems-wide perspective, and convenes discussions among multiple actors with food systems knowledge. Through its various workstreams the panel contributes to the shaping of policies and reforms related to sustainable food systems. More on IPES-Food can be found here: www.ipes-food.org

Job functions:
The chosen candidate would join the current coordinator in contributing to the various tasks carried out by the secretariat, including:
• Strategic: Long-term strategic planning in conjunction with co-chairs, internal communications with panel members.
• Outreach: Forging and managing partnerships, representation at events, advocacy.
• Communications: Communications with stakeholders, media relations, updating website, dissemination strategy for reports. • Research support: Research and editorial support for reports, liaising with research assistants.
• Events: Planning internal panel meetings, planning external consultations, workshops and other events linked to workstreams.
• Fundraising: Preparing fundraising budgets and briefs, and meeting with potential donors, in order to secure additional financing.
• Administration & Financial: Budget planning, liaison with funders.
Requirements:
• Excellent knowledge of food systems issues. Motivation to work towards food systems reform and integrated understandings of food systems.
• An all-rounder with a range of skills and a high degree of flexibility.
• Minimum 2-3 years experience in policy-related roles on food and/or related fields (e.g. agriculture, environment,
trade, development, nutrition and health).
• Master’s level qualifications in a relevant field; PhD / post-doctoral research may be an asset depending on
responsibilities candidate wishes to emphasize (see below), but not essential.
• Ability to write and communicate clearly on complex topics; strong editorial skills.
• Strong analytical skills, allowing rapid understanding of political processes and contribution to research processes.
• Some experience of project management, including events planning and budgeting is essential.
• Fundraising and experience of donor relations is desirable.
• Communications / Media Relations / Website Management experience is a strong asset.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken). Knowledge of French (written and spoken) would be a major asset; other
languages also a significant asset.

NB There is scope for the role to be adapted on the basis of strong candidatures with more specialized profiles (e.g. those applying primarily as a researcher / project manager / fundraiser). Candidates are therefore welcome to emphasize particular areas of responsibility which they have an interest and expertise in taking on.

Conditions:
• The secretariat is based in Brussels and officially hosted at the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL). Other working locations could potentially be considered on the basis of strong candidatures.
• Fixed-term contract (CDD) of 12 months with extension foreseen.
• Competitive salary based on UCL university payscale.
• Regular short-term travel (2-4 times per year) required for panel meetings, liaison with donors and external events.
How to apply:
Candidates must send the following documents to nick.jacobs@ipes-food.org by 5th February 2016.
• CV
• Cover letter (1-page maximum)
• Writing sample in English (e.g. published article, blog, executive summary of dissertation).

********************************************************************************************************************************



CONSULTANT WANTED:  part-time research assistant to the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food). 

The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) is looking for a consultant research assistant to help prepare a food policy report on the role of cities in building sustainable food systems. Candidates could be independent, based in a university/research institution or civil society organization anywhere in the world.

IPES-Food is an independent panel that brings together different disciplines and different types of knowledge in order to inform and influence processes of food systems reform in various regions of the world. The panel looks holistically at the problems in global food systems, and is focused in particular on power relations and the political economy of food systems. The panel is co-chaired by Olivier De Schutter (former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food) and Olivia Yambi (nutritionist and former UNICEF representative to Kenya), and comprises environmental scientists, development economists, public health specialists, agronomists and sociologists, as well as experienced practitioners from civil society and social movements. The panel provides analysis of food systems (e.g. through reports, briefs and other outputs), adopting a systems- wide perspective, and convenes discussions among multiple actors with food systems knowledge in order to influence policy processes. More on IPES-Food can be found here: www.ipes-food.org

Tasks
The researcher would support panel members involved in producing a food policy report on the role of cities in building sustainable food systems. The researcher would work primarily with the panel member leading the report, Professor Corinna Hawkes based at the Centre for Food Policy, City University London. The main part of the work would involve research and writing, with additional responsibilities for stakeholder engagement and communications.
1) Research: There would be two main research tasks:
• Identifying information about the origins and activities of policies implemented in cities to improve food systems.
Examples include policies on urban agriculture, waste, climate change, poverty, food insecurity, undernutrition and
obesity/diet-related non-communicable diseases
• Preparing case studies from select cities on the policy economy of policy development and implementation
2) Stakeholder engagement: Regular engagement with the wide range of existing stakeholders already active in effort to improve city-level food systems in UN agencies, governments, civil society and universities/research institutions.
3) Communications: Working closely with the IPES-Food Secretariat, preparing and delivering a communications plan for the report in the lead up to the UN HABITAT III conference in November 2016.

Requirements
Knowledge
• Existing knowledge of urban food systems and the current actors involved in the promotion of more
sustainable/healthy urban food systems. Motivation to work towards food systems reform and integrated
understandings of food systems.
• Knowledge of political economy of policy development/policy processes and methodologies for studying policy
processes.
Skills
• Strong writing skills. Ability to write and communicate clearly on complex topics; strong editorial skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Good teamworker able to communicate effectively with external stakeholders
• Fluent in English (written and spoken). French and/or Spanish speaker would be a major asset; other languages also
an asset.

Experience
• Masters level qualifications in a relevant field (preferable); undergraduate degree also considered if has relevant
experience.
• International experience.
• Some experience of communications and external stakeholder engagement (preferable).
Conditions
• Time period: Immediate start (or as soon as possible) for a minimum of six months.
• Hours: 1-2 days per week (or equivalent hours spread across week).
• Fees: The consultant would be paid a daily consultancy rate dependent on experience.

How to apply:
Please send the following documents to nick.jacobs@ipes-food.org as soon as possible, at latest January 26th:
• CV
• Cover letter. The letter should state how the candidate meets each of the eight requirements listed above.
• Two writing samples in English (e.g. published article, blog, column, executive summary of dissertation).
* Specify location(s) - city & state - as FIRST ITEM in the Subject Line description.