2014/UNU/INRA/CTC/CC/06 Page 1 of 4

19 Feb 2014






Consultancy

Development and Evaluation of Empirical Models to Estimate the Potential Effects of Climate
Change on Agricultural Trade Flows and Food Security in ECOWAS
1


Organizational Unit : United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa
(UNU-INRA)
Reference Number : 2014/UNU/INRA/CTC/(CC)/06
Applications to : By Hand Delivery:
The Finance and Administrative Officer, UNU-INRA, 2
nd
Floor.
International House, University of Ghana Campus, Legon-Accra
By Email: recruit-inra@unu.edu
Closing Date : 23
rd
September 2014

United Nations University Objectives:
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in research,
postgraduate training and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles
of the United Nations, its member states and peoples. It serves as a think-tank for the United
Nations System, contributes to capacity building particularly in developing countries, and serves as a
platform for new and creative ideas and dialogue. For more information please visit www.unu.edu.
The Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA):
UNU-INRA is one of fifteen Research and Training Institutes and Programmes established by UNU
worldwide. The mission of UNU-INRA is to strengthen the capacity of African universities and
research institutions to conduct research and produce well-trained, well-equipped and motivated
individuals, capable of developing, adapting and disseminating technologies that advance food
security and promote conservation and efficient use of the continent's natural resources for
sustainable development.
Background:
UNU-INRA in collaboration with the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) of the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is implementing a 2 year research project aimed at
assessing whether or not agricultural production systems and trade policies in the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) can be adjusted to alleviate the impact of climate
change on food security, and promote sustainable development in the region. This research project
will support the effort of ACPC in increasing the capacity of Member States and Regional Economic
Communities (RECs) to be able to mainstream appropriate climate change information into policies,
development plans and frameworks to respond to the current and future impacts of climate change
in the agricultural sector.

1
In this call, agriculture refers to both crop and livestock
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19 Feb 2014
ECOWAS is a community of 15 West African states Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, The Gambia,
Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo -
spreading over a surface of about 6.1 million km
2
, with a total population of 319
2
million. ECOWAS is
vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; especially in agriculture, which is the key sector of its
economies and one that supports nearly 60 percent of its population. Most agricultural production in
the region is rain-fed (irrigated areas account for less than 8 percent), which makes food production
highly vulnerable to the high variations and changes in rainfall patterns.
Even without climate change, the model of agricultural growth that ECOWAS has depended on for
more than a generation is not sustainable in the long term, as production systems have not
intensified in line with the increase in urban development. In addition, agricultural policy tools are
primarily geared towards commercially profitable cash crops rather than the support needed to
achieve the regions objectives of food security and integration of the regional markets. As a
consequence, several countries in the region will rely more and more on imported food to feed their
people.
Fourteen assessment studies have already been carried out under the project to: (i) develop country
profiles on climate, soil, hydrology, agricultural land, agricultural production and agricultural trade;
(ii) analyze existing policy and institutional arrangements; (iii) identify data sources and availability;
(iv) synthesize analytical studies that have been undertaken to understand climate change,
agricultural trade for West African countries; and (v) review the state-of-the art methodologies to
analyze climate change, agricultural trade and food security. This information provides the roadmap
for collecting appropriate data as well as for consolidating and harmonizing the analytical
methodologies for the research project.
To strengthen agricultural trade flows and food security in ECOWAS under changing climate, it has
been recognized that there is a need to introduce spatial, dynamic and long term mechanisms and
tools to manage the inherent uncertainties of climate change and the socio-economic and
environmental changes in the region.
Main Responsibilities:
The main purpose of this consultancy is to develop an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) for
estimating the potential effects of climate change on agricultural trade flows and food security in
ECOWAS. The IAM features should include but not necessary limited to:
Integrating at least three modules: (i) regional climate module, (ii) agricultural land use
module and (iii) agricultural trade module, which are integrated in ways that assures the
consistency and stability of the system through the feedback of exchanged values (see the
methodological document of the project for more information on potential modules);
Capturing short and long term effects of climate change on agricultural trade flows and food
security in ECOWAS (in 2020, 2040, 2060,2080, 2100, );

2
Mo IbrahimFoundation, 2014 Facts & Figures- Regional integration: Uniting to Complete, viewed 05 sept, 2014 >
http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/downloads/2013/2014-facts-and-figures-regional-integration.pdf>.
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19 Feb 2014
Reflecting changes in agricultural comparative advantages and taking agricultural land and
land productivity as exogenous production factors;
Providing ingenuous ways to represent policies (not only trade policies but also domestic
agricultural policies) and to estimate climate change induced food insecurity for all countries
in ECOWAS;
Allowing users to simulate the potential effects of climate change under different climate
scenarios and under different socio-economic and environmental scenarios.
Description of Deliverables:
The scope of this subproject will include but not necessary be limited to:
Working with UNU-INRA Research Fellows on all aspects of the modeling exercise to ensure
UNU-INRA ownership of the knowledge product generated;
Deliver a tool (IAM) for estimating the potential effects of climate change on agricultural
trade flows and food security in ECOWAS;
Submit a comprehensive report on the use and maintenance of the tool listed above.
Candidate Profile:
Academic Background
Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in computational science and
engineering, economics, trade, agriculture, environmental science or related field. PhD is
preferred.
Professional Background
Relevant professional experience of 5-10 years, previous experience in Integrated Assessment
Modelling is highly desirable;
Practical experience in climate and economic modelling and/or knowledge of climate, trade,
food security and agricultural modelling issues will be an asset.
Languages
Excellent command of one of the two official languages of the UNU-INRA (English or French)
and excellent report writing and communication skills.
Key Competencies:
Self-management to effectively direct own activities toward the achievement of
objectives/results;
Good knowledge of statistical modelling, mathematical modeling, system modelling, and
simulation modelling;
Specialized experience and/or methodological/technical knowledge, including computational
modelling skills;
Good organizational skills, ability to work effectively on the basis of general instructions with
the capacity to prioritize tasks to meet tight deadlines.
Contract Terms:
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19 Feb 2014
Remuneration
Remuneration will commensurate with qualification and experience of the successful candidate.
Duration of contract
The successful candidate shall work at UNU-INRA Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, under the
Consultant Contract (CTC) for a fixed period of two (2) months for the above-mentioned project.
Starting date
15
th
October, 2014 or as soon as possible.
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should submit their applications, preferably by e-mail and must include the
following:
A cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of
the position. Please indicate clearly your availability in your letter;
A curriculum vitae;
Full contact information of two referees.

Notice:
Due to the large number of expected applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Unsuccessful applications can neither be acknowledged nor returned.
The successful candidate will not hold international civil servant status nor be a staff member as
defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. UNU-INRA does not sponsor a working
visa for this position.
Applications from suitably qualified women candidates especially from developing countries are
particularly encouraged to apply.