ILRI Consultancy (Request for Proposal) Evidence and Gap Maps and Systematic Reviews on Climate Change and Agri-Food Systems

Job Title and Description

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to engage the services of an individual consultant, or a group of researchers affiliated with an institution to conduct rigorous evidence and gap map, and systematic review of scientific knowledge on various aspects of climate change and agri-food systems. A total of three (3) evidence syntheses will be commissioned as a part of CGIAR's Climate Action Science Program. Given the CGIAR's and ILRI's mandates, the scope of this evidence synthesis will be limited to countries in the Global South, specifically those in Africa, Asia, and South America.

Responsibilities

• Topic 1: Effectiveness of current or future adaptation measures to droughts, floods, pests, and diseases and value chain interruptions [roads, shipping, etc.] in the context of agriculture and agri-food systems, with a particular focus on:-
• Effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness) of genetic and agronomic innovations (e.g., drought- or flood-resilient seeds and production systems) coupled with various on-farm management practices in reducing climate-related risks for smallholder producers.
• Effectiveness, including cost effectiveness of different water related adaptation interventions
• Effectiveness of migration (in all its forms) and off-farm livelihoods in reducing climate-related risks for smallholder farmers.
• Effectiveness of socio-technical adaptation bundles and locally led adaptation (LLA) principles to identify effective adaptation options.
• Topic 2: Effectiveness of mitigation and low emissions pathways in the agri-food sector in reducing emissions without compromising food security, with a particular focus on:
• 2.1 Effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness) of various emissions reduction strategies across agri-food production systems in LMIC context. Examples include sequestration across farm, field and landscapes
• 2.2 Effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness) of reducing energy-induced emissions across agri-food systems, e.g. use of renewable energy in various parts of the agri-food systems value chain, or bio-mass based measures e.g. (e.g. bioenergy, BECCS, biochar etc.).
• 2.3 Effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness) of reducing fertilizer-induced emission across agri-food systems; e.g. via use of balance fertilizer application, green ammonia and other technological advances
• 2.4 Effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness) of reducing enteric methane and manure related emissions from livestock sector, including interventions that promote improved animal health, genetic innovations; feed/grazing management, manure management.
• 2.5 Effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness) of various mitigation measures across demand -side of the food systems, including but not limited to: shift to sustainable healthy diets; reduce food loss and waste; reduce food-mileage related emissions
• Topic 3: Innovations in climate finance and national R&D systems for understanding how resource-poor women and men food system actors in the Global South can access finance and innovations, with a focus on:
• 3.1 Effectiveness of existing climate finance mechanisms and/or interlinkages among various finance institutions for effective agrifood system transitions in economies in the Global South
• 3.2 Readiness and effectiveness of national agricultural research centres and other national-level agricultural research and development organisations in the Global South on research related to climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation in the agri-food sector.

Scope of the Work

Proposal for Evidence and Gap Maps and Systematic Reviews using standard methodologies and protocols used in health and environmental impact assessments on any of the topics outlined above.

• Methodology Evidence synthesis should employ a systematic approach, such as an evidence and gap map (also sometimes called a scoping review) and systematic review, including:
• A protocol that has a clear definition of the scope of the review, the method (includes cumulative reviews such as scoping review, systematic map, and descriptive review or aggregative reviews such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, realist and umbrella reviews (also known as overviews of reviews)), with explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Comprehensive literature search and screening.
• Define what sub-sectors are focused on in each systematic review.
• Synthesis of findings to identify gaps, trends, and key insights.

Final Products

The entire commission is expected to be completed within nine months from the date of signing the contract. Key milestones and deliverables include:

• Month 1: Inception Report (deliverable 1)
• Month 2: First draft of protocol for Evidence and Gap Map (also sometimes called scoping review) (deliverable 2)
• Month 3: Final protocol for a scoping review and a systematic map published on either CGSpace (CGIAR's document repository) or any other publicly available specialized repository (deliverable 3)
• Month 4: First draft of the Evidence and Gap Map (also called Scoping Review) (deliverable 4)
• Month 5: Final draft of the Evidence and Gap Maps (also called scoping review) either on CGSpace or any other public repository or submitted to a journal for publication (deliverable 5)
• Month 6: First draft of protocol for systematic review/meta-analysis protocol (deliverable 6)
• Month 7: Final protocol for systematic review/meta-analysis published on CGSpace (CGIAR's document repository) or any other publicly available specialized repository (deliverable 7)
• Month 8: First draft of systematic review/meta-analysis (deliverable 8)
• Month 9: Final draft of systematic review/meta-analysis ready for submission to a journal (deliverable 9) and a PowerPoint presentation (deliverable 10). The PowerPoint presentation must summarize all outputs (protocols, systematic maps, systematic review) and key findings and takeaways for a lay audience.

Consultancy Fee

Lumpsum payment of USD 30,000 per review is to be paid in 4 equal installments in the following sequence:

• 25% during the signing of the contract (in Month 1)
• 25% after delivery of deliverables 1 to 3 listed above (in Month 3)
• 25% after delivery of deliverables 4 to 7 listed above (in Month 7)
• 25% after delivery of deliverables 8 to 10 listed above (in Month 9)

Requirements

• Post location: Home based.
• Expected places of travel: N/A
• Duration: 9 months based on agreed milestones and deliverables
• Contract dates: 9 months from the start of contract date

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• A Master's or PhD in fields related to climate change, with experience in carrying out rigorous evidence synthesis, including systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
• Minimum of 5 years of research/academic experience and particularly proven expertise in conducting meta-reviews in related fields of study
• Proven experience of working with interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams is an advantage
• A track record of publishing systematic review papers in peer-reviewed journals is essential.

How to Apply

The applications should not exceed 8 pages (excluding the title page and list of references, and an annex containing CVs of team members and names of referees). Your proposal must follow the specified structure and adhere to the word limits. Any proposal that does not adhere to these instructions will not be considered.