NAFS programme will contribute to the analysis of the current challenges and potential opportunities to accelerate the utilization of renewable energy for agriculture and livelihood recovery in Syria.
Beirut
The assignment will be until October 30, 2022, starting from the signature date of the contract.
As part of its mandate to promote human development and democratic transition in the region, ESCWA has been implementing NAFS since 2012. Since, the NAFS Programme has served as an inclusive platform for technical dialogue between Syrians from all walks of life, regardless of their political affiliation, and is the only such platform to systematically assess the policy needs for a post-conflict Syria, empowering Syrians themselves to make that assessment. It has provided them a safe space where they can engage in discussions on the post-conflict development needs and trajectories of the country, to prevent and overcome a conflict trap, and strengthen the resilience of local structures over the medium and long term.
Over the last few years, the significant improvement in security situation in Syrian Arab Republic, has not led to reduction in food and nutrition insecurity situation. To the contrary, the number of people facing food insecurity has increased from 7.9 million in 2019 to 12.4 million in 2020. This means 4.5 million people lost the ability to feed themselves over one year1.
Though multiple factors are interfering to lead to this reality, agriculture and food production remains among the key causes of food insecurity situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. One of the major constraints to Agricultural and agriculture-based livelihoods is access to fuel and electricity to water for irrigation.
Indeed, because of the damage of infrastructure due to a decade protracted conflict, tremendous challenges are facing the energy sector in Syria in both generation, transport, and supply. Availability of fuel, electricity prices consistently increasing, and access to power is a daily challenge to all Syrians and more acutely to farmers relying on irrigated agriculture.
Thus, the shift to renewable energy, particularly solar energy to bridge the supply gap in domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors is part of the coping strategy to respond to the multiple disruptions due to power shortage. The cost, subsidy schemes, equity in access and affordability for the small-scale farmers are yet to be thoroughly analyzed and documented.
Based on these facts, NAFS programme intends to contribute to the analysis of the current challenges and potential opportunities to accelerate the utilization of renewable energy for agriculture and livelihood recovery. This builds on and is in line with previous work done by the programme on value chains in Homs and As-Suweida governorate where energy has been identified as the major constraint to agriculture, livelihoods, return of the displaced and food and nutrition security.
Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager of the National Agenda for Syria Programme and direct supervision of the agriculture and livelihoods officer, the consultant will be responsible for developing a policy brief about the role of renewable energy in agriculture and livelihoods recovery in The Syrian Arab Republic. This will include the following duties:
- Mapping gaps and challenges in the current situation of renewable energy in relation to agricultural policies and mitigation measures.
- Identify priority actions and options needed to optimize benefits from renewable energy for the recovery of the agriculture recovery.
- Assess the implications of current policies and regulations on equity in access for different groups (small scale farmers and herders, men, and women, IDPs and returnees).
- Coordinate and liaise with NAFS Agriculture and livelihoods Officer on the relevant information required to produce the policy brief and infographic.
- Address comments in the review process of the policy brief and infographics to be produced.
Skills: Proven knowledge and experience in writing executive reports and policy briefs in the energy area are required. Proven knowledge of Syria's renewable energy context, economic and social sectors, and institutions is required. Evidence of publications of policy briefs and infographics on energy-related topics.
Academic Qualifications: A Master's degree in energy policy or renewable energy or any related areas is required.
Experience: A minimum of seven years of experience is required.
Language: Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.