Engineering Advisor- Consultant Co-designing digital public services for interoperability of agrifood traceability solutions

This is a remote position. About the Consultancy While the number of traceability solutions on the market is steadily rising data incompatibilities unfortunately often mean that the various systems are unable to exchange data. Digital solutions are barely interoperable. As a result both producer organizations and downstream actors in the supply chain have to collect store and convert data repeatedly requiring greater effort and making the process more susceptible to errors. Digital standards for product traceability along supply chains could significantly improve efficiency and facilitate information exchange within supply chains. Such standards would serve as a basis for data exchange and reliable documentation of corporate due diligence obligations. Interoperability of traceability systems from producer to consumer would therefore benefit all actors along the supply chain providing a way to tackle issues such as transparency avoiding deforestation or ensuring living incomes for farmers. Digital solutions supporting sustainable practices in agrifood systems have seen a surge in investment and innovation in recent years and this is driving a proliferation of siloed data and data services digital methods of verifying onfarm practices and new digital marketplaces. These efforts will remain fragmented unless greater progress is made on interoperable data and technology standards. Achieving interoperability across systems will be a critical step towards realizing the potential of these technologies for enabling regulatory compliance at scale in a way that is broadbased and inclusive of a diversity of farmers and farming systems. Digital public infrastructure can plan a key role in achieving this. The Alliance of BioversityCIAT is seeking a consultant to lead the engineering aspects of codesigning a public service or Digital Public Infrastructure supporting traceability solutions with a particular focus on coffee and cacao. The ideal candidate should be experienced in leading complex multistakeholder technology and infrastructure projects. Location: Remotely but with availability to travel to internationally for one or more stakeholder workshops.

Requirements

Responsibilities: The consultant will contribute to: Codesigning: Following a trust framework approach the consultant will help develop a consensus plan on architecture standards governance and operating model for a public service/digital public infrastructure to enable interoperable traceability of agricultural commodities in one country with a special focus on cacao and coffee; Iterating: The consultant will advise one or more pilots or proofs of concept leveraging the service to put interoperable traceability standards into practice with a view toward enabling compliance with policies and regulations intended to foster trust transparency and traceability in agrifood supply chains. Integrating open science data analytics metrics and evidence into publicinterest services enabling traceability. Key Responsibilities The consultant: Guide stakeholder consultations with public private and research stakeholders to develop a trust framework for a digital public service in one country. Prepare proposed draft architecture operating model and standards for implementing the digital public service in accordance with the consensus trust framework in one country. Key requirements and experience: Master s degree plus at least 15 years professional experience in a related field. Global Team Experience: Demonstrated ability to effectively work as part of global teams fostering collaboration and productivity across time zones. Track Record for Driving Action: Strong evidence from prior experiences for being able to mobilize people to make the jump from analysis to action. Stakeholder Engagement: Proven track record of successfully engaging and building relationships with diverse stakeholders from commercial partners to nonprofit organizations. UserCentric Mindset: An understanding of user needs and a commitment to designing and maintaining a tools and approaches that serves those needs effectively. ProblemSolving Skills: The ability to identify and address challenges proactively finding creative solutions to complex problems. Strategic thinking: Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to set and guide the achievement of longterm objectives. Passionate and curious about following the latest developments in deforestation free supply chains regulations. Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability to navigate the evolving landscape of climate resilience and public engagement.

Benefits

Terms of the Consultancy This consultancy is a shortterm consultancy. The Alliance BioversityCIAT is committed to fair safe and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation contributes to our excellence and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures races colors religions sexes national or regional origins ages disability statuses sexual orientations marital status and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications Applications must be submitted via email and include the subject Engineering Advisor Consultant Digital Public Infrastructures for Traceability. CVs should be saved as one document using the format Last Namefirst Name for ease of sorting. Applications should be submitted by Email Only to: The Alliance collects and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Applications closing date: 02 February 2024 Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.