Assignment title: Update of Policy Brief – Agroforestry, Food Security & Nutrition
Commissioned by: Agroforestry Network
Duration: Approximately 8 weeks (November–January 2025), with a maximum of 100 working hours
Location: Remote, with regular online check-ins
Application deadline: October 15th, 2025
Background
The Agroforestry Network is committed to ensuring that its policy briefs remain relevant and impactful for a diverse audience. Previous briefs have been developed to inform and engage a wide range of stakeholders – including policymakers at national and international levels, advisors, practitioners, researchers, private and public investors, and the general public. These documents have aimed to stimulate policy development, support investment and research in agroforestry.
The Agroforestry Network has decided to update selected older policy briefs to ensure their continued relevance and impact. The brief “Agroforestry, Food Security & Nutrition” (2020) has been selected as the first to be updated. The original brief can be accessed here: https://agroforestrynetwork.org/database_post/agroforestry-food-security-and-nutrition/ The updated version is intended to be launched at an event during spring 2026.
This update aims to reflect the latest scientific insights and policy trends, with a particular focus on nutrition, gender dimensions, indigenous and local knowledge – all in connection to food security and agroforestry. The process will be coordinated with the Agroforestry Network steering committee and a reference group to ensure the brief meets the needs of a broad target group, including policymakers, practitioners, and the public.
Objective
To revise and update the 2020 policy brief on agroforestry, food security, and nutrition, ensuring it reflects the latest research, policy developments, and contextual relevance for a broad target group, including policymakers, practitioners, and the public. The aim is to increase knowledge and stimulate investment and policy support for the implementation of agroforestry as a strategy to strengthen food security and nutrition.
Scope of Work
The consultant will:
- Review the existing policy brief and identify sections requiring updates.
- Conduct a literature scan to incorporate new data, research, and policy developments (2020–2025).
- Integrate updated insights on:
- Agroforestry’s role in food and nutrition security, emphasizing its contribution to dietary diversity, micronutrient availability, and resilience against food system shocks.
- Add a specific section on nutrition, highlighting agroforestry’s potential to enhance nutrient density through fruit and nut trees, strategic crop-tree combinations and space-efficient food production (e.g. working with layered food production in forest gardens).
- Gender dimensions, including women’s roles in managing agroforestry systems and their knowledge of nutrient-rich forest products.
- Indigenous and local knowledge, especially regarding traditional crop varieties and sustainable land management practices
- Policy and practice recommendations.
- Coordinate with the Agroforestry Network steering committee and reference group for feedback.
- Draft a revised version of the brief (max 4 pages in times new roman, 12 pt).
- Participate in 1–2 check-in meetings with the reference group starting in nov 2025.
Deliverables
- Outline of proposed content updates (1–2 pages). Due: Early November
- Draft updated policy brief. Due: End of November
- Final version of the brief, incorporating feedback. Due: Jan 20th
Profile of the Consultant
- Background in agroforestry, food systems, nutrition, food security, environmental science, or related fields.
- Strong writing and synthesis skills.
- Experience in policy-oriented communication is a plus.
- Fluency in English; Swedish is an asset.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit:
- A short CV (max 2 pages).
- A brief statement of interest (max 1 page), including relevant experience and availability.
- Deadline for applications: October 15th, 2025
Submit your application to linnea.pasquier@viskogen.se