Consultant Position: Country Chapter Lead Author (Co-Author)

Job Description

The consultant will be a co-author of a chapter focusing on a given country, and the likely impact of climate change on agriculture in that country, based on results from 3 types of models: crop models used with climate models; a partial equilibrium global economic model (IMPACT); and a global computable general equilibrium model (MIRAGE).

The modeling and interpretation will be done within the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). A Research Fellow from IFPRI will write a draft chapter (in English) presenting those results.  The consultant will be responsible for adding to the chapter and interacting with the Research Fellow in completing the chapter.

TARGET COUNTRIES

The countries subjects of this research are: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, Brazil and Peru.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT

• Write the introduction to the chapter (3 to 6 single-spaced typed pages), which will include

1. Description of relevant geographic and agroclimatic information (e.g., Brazil would include several paragraphs about important areas such as the Amazon forest, the cerrado, the Pantanal, the semi-arid northeast, etc.)
2. Climate trends already experienced in the country (if any)
3. Government organization and activities in support of climate change adaptation or mitigation (any agencies; relevant treaties signed; laws made)

• In the section on agriculture drafted by the Research Fellow based on FAO data, add to it areas not covered, and change as necessary areas that were covered (in conjunction with the Research Fellow), paying special attention to

1. Plans and programs of the government which would have caused any of the notable changes in agricultural trends, or any proposed or actual government plans that would modify them significantly in the future
2. In countries in which forest area is significant, add forestry statistics, including deforestation and afforestation / reforestation.
3. In countries in which livestock is a significant part of the sector, add information on production systems (at least small-holder vs. commercial)

• In the section on climate models, add any relevant information on regional climate models that the government uses or have been used by regional or international organizations
• In the section on crop models, add any relevant information on crop models that have been done by other organizations.  If the modeling efforts are more than 5 years old, consult with the IFPRI Research Fellow first.
• The consultant will incorporate a literature review in the chapter in appropriate places that will highlight previous studies on the impact of climate change on agriculture in that country.
• Throughout the paper, especially in the modeling sections, make necessary corrections in usage of regional names and add more commentary if it seems appropriate (new commentary in these section is NOT required).
• In conjunction with the IFPRI Research Fellow, write 1 to 3 single-spaced typed pages for a chapter conclusion.
• Attend any inception, intermediate, or final writers’ workshops being held (there is probably only going to be one of these), with travel expenses covered by the project.
• Work in a collegial fashion with other co-authors, the regional editors, and all collaborators and donors.

Desired qualifications

The successful applicant will have the following qualifications

• A master’s degree or Ph.D. in economics, public policy, an agricultural science, or an environmental science.
• At least five years of experience in government service; as a professor or teacher in university; or as a researcher in a relevant organization.
• A publication record proving knowledge in writing about climate change impacts on agriculture.

Timeframe

Inception workshops or introduction to the IFPRI research fellow via electronic communication will take place depending on the country between January and March 2015.  After that, the consultant would have three months to complete a draft of the chapter.  Then, two months after that, the consultant will finalize the chapter, taking into consideration comments from the regional editors.  This means that some consultants will finish as early as June 2015, while others will finish by August 2015.

Application deadline: January 23, 2014

To submit an application and for further information, please contact Deissy Martinez Barón, (email address in the attached PDF file) with “Application for Country Chapter Lead Author” in subject. Please attach your CV in English and specify the country you are interested in.